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LED indicator bulbs question.
- dhobbs
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1621
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:33 pm
LED indicator bulbs question.
I’m going to replace my indicator bulbs with LEDs but before I buy any are there any tips for which ones to get?
I have the facelift lights with Xenons so fronts indicators are h21w. Are these clear bulbs or do they need to be amber?
Also is there a size limit, I.e. do they need to be slim to get in the light fixture?
The rear indicators are silver ones, I assume these need to be Amber?
My plan is to get them from eBay as they will be far cheaper then the osram ones.
I have the facelift lights with Xenons so fronts indicators are h21w. Are these clear bulbs or do they need to be amber?
Also is there a size limit, I.e. do they need to be slim to get in the light fixture?
The rear indicators are silver ones, I assume these need to be Amber?
My plan is to get them from eBay as they will be far cheaper then the osram ones.
3.0si roadster. Requisite stubby. Sound gen mod. LED numberplate lights. LED boot strip. Interior lights LED too. ZHP gearknob. Daily drive
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds
- dhobbs
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1621
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:33 pm
LED indicator bulbs question.
Whipped out one of the front indicators. It’s a clear bulb.
Need to find an LED replacement of similar diameter now.
Need to find an LED replacement of similar diameter now.
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3.0si roadster. Requisite stubby. Sound gen mod. LED numberplate lights. LED boot strip. Interior lights LED too. ZHP gearknob. Daily drive
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds
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- Lifer
- Posts: 5277
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:01 pm
- Location: NW London
LED indicator bulbs question.
I have rear LED indicators but not fronts as those are not made by Philips/Osram. I've tried ebay LEDs but they all tend to fail after a while. My Philips W5W front sidelights have been in for almost 4 years with no issues and the Osram rear indicator and brake LEDs for about 2. Code out the checks and you're good to go, they may be expensive but if you buy cheap you'll buy twice!
3.0si Sport: F10 Illuminated ZHP, Retrofit Cruise, OE Stubby, Gaptech RCH+, Kenwood BT73DAB + Handsfree, HIDs, LED Sidelights, OE LED Number Plate Lights, Custom LED strip bootlight.
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- Lifer
- Posts: 5277
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:01 pm
- Location: NW London
LED indicator bulbs question.
Rear indicator: https://www.osram.com/am/ecat/LEDriving ... P_1174327/
Rear brake: https://www.osram.com/am/ecat/LEDriving ... P_4053095/
No point doing the rear fogs. Also have LED reverse but nothing really works for getting enough light out!
Also avoid the 'CANBUS' LEDs - they simply burn out, better to code out the checks rather than fool them with a resistor.
Rear brake: https://www.osram.com/am/ecat/LEDriving ... P_4053095/
No point doing the rear fogs. Also have LED reverse but nothing really works for getting enough light out!
Also avoid the 'CANBUS' LEDs - they simply burn out, better to code out the checks rather than fool them with a resistor.
3.0si Sport: F10 Illuminated ZHP, Retrofit Cruise, OE Stubby, Gaptech RCH+, Kenwood BT73DAB + Handsfree, HIDs, LED Sidelights, OE LED Number Plate Lights, Custom LED strip bootlight.
- dhobbs
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1621
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:33 pm
LED indicator bulbs question.
So I bought some eBay LED bulbs for the rear and wasn’t successful.
I bought the indicator and brake light from Argo on eBay and although they look good, they don’t work on my car. Thinking I have been sold a pup, I went and tested them all with a spare battery and some leads. Bulbs were absolutely fine! The large outer shell is ground and the tip is positive. So it would seem that my car the lights are wired up with a reverse polarity. Not a problem with normal bulbs, but definitely with LEDs.
Is there any way to swap this over or does it look like I’m getting some more bulbs?!
I bought the indicator and brake light from Argo on eBay and although they look good, they don’t work on my car. Thinking I have been sold a pup, I went and tested them all with a spare battery and some leads. Bulbs were absolutely fine! The large outer shell is ground and the tip is positive. So it would seem that my car the lights are wired up with a reverse polarity. Not a problem with normal bulbs, but definitely with LEDs.
Is there any way to swap this over or does it look like I’m getting some more bulbs?!
3.0si roadster. Requisite stubby. Sound gen mod. LED numberplate lights. LED boot strip. Interior lights LED too. ZHP gearknob. Daily drive
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds
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- Lifer
- Posts: 5277
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:01 pm
- Location: NW London
LED indicator bulbs question.
Don't think so, as the holders are keyed. Seriously, just get the Osram for the rears
3.0si Sport: F10 Illuminated ZHP, Retrofit Cruise, OE Stubby, Gaptech RCH+, Kenwood BT73DAB + Handsfree, HIDs, LED Sidelights, OE LED Number Plate Lights, Custom LED strip bootlight.
- dhobbs
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1621
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:33 pm
LED indicator bulbs question.
Yeah, looks like that may be my only option.Scooba_Steve wrote: ↑Sun Feb 17, 2019 7:30 pm Don't think so, as the holders are keyed. Seriously, just get the Osram for the rears
Don’t say it “I told you so!”
3.0si roadster. Requisite stubby. Sound gen mod. LED numberplate lights. LED boot strip. Interior lights LED too. ZHP gearknob. Daily drive
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds
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Online
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1206
- Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2017 10:36 pm
- Location: Miskin , South Wales
LED indicator bulbs question.
Agree ..........LEDs .......buy cheap buy twice .... .
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- Member
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LED indicator bulbs question.
Are the rear and side indicator bulbs the same?
Last edited by Homer on Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sapphire Black E86
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- Lifer
- Posts: 5277
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:01 pm
- Location: NW London
LED indicator bulbs question.
No, rear PY21W side W5W
3.0si Sport: F10 Illuminated ZHP, Retrofit Cruise, OE Stubby, Gaptech RCH+, Kenwood BT73DAB + Handsfree, HIDs, LED Sidelights, OE LED Number Plate Lights, Custom LED strip bootlight.
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- Lifer
- Posts: 5277
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:01 pm
- Location: NW London
LED indicator bulbs question.
I'm not sure if the Osram ones do not depend on polarity but they do work in mine, I don't think there is a standard for what should be positive/negative in the bulb holders as obviously it's irrelevant for bulbs.dhobbs wrote: ↑Sun Feb 17, 2019 10:46 pmYeah, looks like that may be my only option.Scooba_Steve wrote: ↑Sun Feb 17, 2019 7:30 pm Don't think so, as the holders are keyed. Seriously, just get the Osram for the rears
Don’t say it “I told you so!”
3.0si Sport: F10 Illuminated ZHP, Retrofit Cruise, OE Stubby, Gaptech RCH+, Kenwood BT73DAB + Handsfree, HIDs, LED Sidelights, OE LED Number Plate Lights, Custom LED strip bootlight.
- dhobbs
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1621
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:33 pm
LED indicator bulbs question.
The side indicators are able to rotate so polarity isn’t an issue.
With clear lenses you’ll need an amber LED.
3.0si roadster. Requisite stubby. Sound gen mod. LED numberplate lights. LED boot strip. Interior lights LED too. ZHP gearknob. Daily drive
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds