wayred4.2

Since there have been a few LED posts lately I thought I would chime in with my recent project:

Background - when I unwrapped my LED tails (a while ago now) and looked at all the lights, I had a WTF moment - turn signal and reverse are standard incandescent lights! Hey, I just bought LED lights!!!!. That stuck with me for a while and finally I decided to do something about it (part of it) and mod a mod.

Get some parts- Simple really - with some searching - went to superbrightleds.com bought some replacement turn signal lights (and since I was going this far, did the fronts as well to match). They seemed to have good pricing and satisfied customers on this forum so I went for it.

Front (2x) - 1157-A24 Amber - 24 LEDs
Rear (2x)- 1156-A19 Amber - 19 LEDs
Resistor kit (4x)- RL-650

While I liked the idea, I did not think the 30 LED options would fit with the application - with some modification of the light housings I think they might, but I did not what to go there. I like to retain the - go back to stock option (mostly).

Install them- Bulbs are simple plug and play but key for turn signals is the load resistor kits (got 4 of these, one for each turn signal). If not the ECU will think the bulb is out (due to the low power draw of the LED - one of its advantages) and blink at hyper speed. These are too easily to apply as they come with wire taps and clear instructions. Note @ $5 this is not the cheapest solution, if you are handy with a solder iron you could go to Frys (and likely Radio Shack) and buy a similar part - less aluminum heat sink, for less and make the equivalent.

The rears were very easy as the wires from the turn signal were clear open and easy to get to, on the fronts they are imbedded in the head light housing. I was thinking of an elegant - in housing installation but decided against it as I wanted to secure the resistor and not compromise the airtight housing. So I decided to trace the lines to the outer connector and then tap in the resistors outside the housing. From my CC experience I pulled the housing quickly and found the correct two of 3 wires going to the turn signal bulb (the other being for parking lights which did not need the added resistance), cracked it open and traced the right wires to positions 9 and 10 on the connector. Note these are the same on both sides (not mirrored) of the car. Simply tap each one to the resistor and you are good to go. When tapping make sure the wire is "caught" I had to do this twice for a couple of them. For mounting the resistor I drilled out on the holes to mount on the posts in back and mounted on some extra plastic lip of the housing in front. These do not get too hot - warm after a few min, so I am not too worried about it - the alum heat sync housing looks robust and seems to dispate heat well.

While I was at it I did the license plate lights in white which look great and some of the interior lights, plan to later do the sider markers in LED when I get some new (silver and clear) side marker lights from ECS (or the like).



LED off
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/64754/dsc_0001.jpg">

LED on
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/64754/dsc_0004.jpg">

Backs are bright
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/64754/dsc_0005.jpg">

Resistor mount in front - on top of headlight housing
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/64754/dsc_0006.jpg">

wire taps - later covered with electrical tape as they would tend to open
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/64754/dsc_0008.jpg">

Rear close up (tough to see difference thru lense)
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/64754/dsc_0010.jpg">

Rear resistor mount
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/64754/dsc_0016.jpg">

The LED turn-signals preform well but I think fronts are not quite as bright as stock. Could be that they do not take advantage of the reflective surroundings as well as standard bulbs as they face outward (my guess only). Rears seems to be same or brighter. Overall I am very happy with this mod - cheap (relatively) and easy but good value ~$60. Most all new and/or high end cars have LEDs - no doubt they are the future of lighting - automotive and otherwise - the advantages are well documented.

So I guess I will keep my C5 longer now .

Jarrod

Now how about a video?

5speed6 v.2

Many factory rear LED lights are only for the brakes, and not turn or backup.

Edd W

Not keen on the front indicator but the rears look good.

absolutcq20v

Next mod, suspension.

FixedWing

Someone needs to invent the incandescent light bulb. :-p

thomas1978

interesting

R2.7TA6

I would use a stacked LED, not the single one like that