About 6 months ago I bought a dozen or so LED wedge base bulbs; 110's, etc. Generic bulbs from fleabay, but with the (really unnecessary for my purposes; interior lights aren't monitored) resistor to fool the CANBus. I replaced the perfectly good incandescents in the dome light, footwells, trunk, center storage place, and license plate.
Yesterday I finally realized what was bothering me when I got in the car; it was dark! no footwell lights, dome light, etc.
As it happens, of the 7 or 8 bulbs I replaced, all but the two in the center storage had physically broken in half, with the pieces rattling around. The failure mode was a blob-y solder joint where the base joined the diode array. Curiously, the two map lights that I had replaced with focused LED wedge base bulbs were still fine; totally different construction, entirely enclosed in a plastic shell.
I guess the moral is, get the good ones, not the cheap ones. Or something like that. I totally didn't expect this.
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Cheap LEDs; a cautionary tale
- dhobbs
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1621
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:33 pm
Cheap LEDs; a cautionary tale
Fleabay is flooded with both good and bad LEDs. Problem is you don't know which is which.
An added problem I found is the renowned manufacturers LEDs don't tend to be that bright.
I replaced mine but only from recommendations from people on here (that way I can blame them if they fail )
An added problem I found is the renowned manufacturers LEDs don't tend to be that bright.
I replaced mine but only from recommendations from people on here (that way I can blame them if they fail )
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
- Magicarcher
- Member
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- Location: Warwickshire
Cheap LEDs; a cautionary tale
There are many poor LEDs on the market and positive feedback doesn't always help because people are far too quick to give it. LED technology itself is reliable, hence they quote much better reliability, but in the case of LED lights the electronics usually fail.
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.
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- Member
- Posts: 230
- Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2015 1:07 pm
- Location: SE London
Cheap LEDs; a cautionary tale
Ive gone back to normal yellow mellow side lights as they never seem to last. The best ones Ive ever used lasted roughly a year and half before they started to flicker. Presently, there is no such thing as a reliable and bright led on ebay.
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- Senior Member
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- Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2017 10:36 pm
- Location: Miskin , South Wales
Cheap LEDs; a cautionary tale
Yes ...all too true ....only buy LEDs from reputable suppliers...Cheap Chinese on EBay will not last ....
- Ewazix
- Lifer
- Posts: 4721
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 5:30 pm
- Location: Somerset
Cheap LEDs; a cautionary tale
I've fitted 'Cree' brand bulbs to various cars and although they aren't cheap they are bright and some have been fitted for over 12 months with no problems. If you get them from a reputable seller it will help to avoid the brand knock-offs.
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
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- Member
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- Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2015 10:43 pm
Cheap LEDs; a cautionary tale
i replaced foo twell ones with new lamps but with buit in leds, ones in center console replaced with LEDs, and map ones with cree ones, nearly 2 years on all is still working