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Technical Fiat GP - Number Plate LED issue

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Technical Fiat GP - Number Plate LED issue

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TaylorS73

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Had a warning led pop up on my dashboard about my Number plate lights so I thought i'd replace my bulbs and give the LED's a try. purchased some of the CANBUS "error free" LEDS and stumbled into abit of a weird problem.


I plug one in and it works no problem, however plugging in the 2nd LED then cuts off power to both Lights. It happens to both left and right, it just doesn't seem to like both LEDS connected. :bang:

Not the most experienced person when it comes to this so sorry in advanced.
 
It will be a problem with the bulbs, they will be fitted with a number of resistors to try and prevent bulb fail warnings, the likely problem is the two bulbs together is drawing too much power and the car is killing the circuit to protect the body computer.

Simple solution is to take them back and fit some very cheap W5W standard bulbs, These little 5watt bulbs are common to almost every car and used in multiple places so its always worth keeping a few in the glove box.... speaking of which if you don't want to take the LEDs back to the shop or you bought them online they will fit the glove box light or the boot light as well, individually they are probably not going to cause any problems or errors.
 
Thanks mate I will purchase some bulbs instead and see if I can fit those somewhere else as you suggested! (y)
 
Was it THIS scenario ?

- 1 bulb blew: warning LED poped-up at dashboard.
- replaced the bulb with a"CAN free" LED bulb: all works.
- removed the 2nd bul and replaced with LED: nothing works OR LED at dashboard ??

I bet you got the warning LED ! That's because with 2 LEDs replacing the filament bulbs, there is not enough current drawn so the BCM things one (at least) bulb is kaputt... The solution is to add a resistance in // with the LEDs to increase the current until BCM is happy.

Here is the math:

- bulbs: 5w + 5w= 10w. Current drawn: I=P/U: 10w/12v = 0,834A
- LEDS: let's say 2W... /12v = 0,167A
- current in R: 0,834 - 0,167 = 0,667A
- R add. : R=U/I : 12v / 0,667A = 18 Ω

A standard 20Ω resistor will draw a bit less current but will still be ok. Adapt the LEDs (mili)amps to what you measure and be aware that the resistor will have to dissipate the difference in watts between bulbs and LEDs ... (about 10watts !!)

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)
 
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Thank you! Do you have a link to any LED's that would work perfectly?
 
Just spoke to a mot tester mate..... he will not fail a car with aftermarket led's fitted as long as they function correctly ie amber for indicators red for stop tail white for side lights.
As for the beam setter never yet had to fail a car with aftermarket headlight bulbs!
There is NO LAW in place to make it illegal for an MOT test
At the end of the day they are safer brighter more efficient
Just admit you don't like them...….
SO GO ON EVERYONE FIT led BULBS
luigi
Here is a Quote from another MOT Tester
 

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2668GRIFFIN said:
I don't get why you say they are illegal
most all new cars have them now
My van has had them for four years without any issues
Where does it say they are illegal?
LUIGI
Click to expand...
There's s difference between a led light unit and putting led bulbs into a housing designed for halogens



As for the failing a mot they can't really check to see what bulb's you have as they can't take any sort of covers off
And it's not a mot failurethey can only fail on whatever in the test manual hence when cars can pass the mot with discs totally rusted up as long as it passes the roller test

That's being said unless you bulbs are throwing light allover the road your unlikely to be bothered about having them
 
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2668GRIFFIN said:
Also...……….
Just spoke to another mate at Adrian Flux
Do I need to tell you I have fitted led bulbs?
There was a pause...….Then laughter....That will be no then!
LUIGI
Click to expand...

Well a little bit concerning.

My insurance company when I asked about changing my reversing light from bulb to MOT put me on hold whilst they contacted the underwriters. Underwriters came back with reversing light is OK because their are basically no restrictive laws for these but for all other units the are homologated for either bulb, HID or LED use and one can legally only replace the complete unit and take care of any self levelling and cleaning functions required (over 2000 lumens). All such changes need to be *accepted* and recorded on the policy to be covered by your insurance as do all vehicle alterations.

As for LEDs not failing an MOT they can, especially on DRLs. DRLs are MOT tested to correctly operate in conjunction with headlamps. Proper DRLs should dim when headlamps are turned on. Some P21W LED replacements can not operate correctly with voltages below 12V. Some won't illuminate at all and others will flicker.

This is not a case of the LED / modifications police. Anybody can do what the hell they like but don't expect insurance companies to pay out. They are perfectly entitled to not pay out / cover you if you have not disclosed relevant facts (e.g. modifications) to them and certainly so if that modification was a factor in the accident (eg. dazzling someone) or theft (boy racer liked you Recaro racing seat and full harness set-up).

I can assure you they WILL protect their interests and wriggle like mad come a claim time. Not only could you be seriously out of pocket (for the rest of your life if a lifelong incapacitation or death is involved), you will be prosecuted by the real police for driving without valid insurance.

You choice, not mine.
 
2668GRIFFIN said:
Just spoke to a mot tester mate..... he will not fail a car with aftermarket led's fitted as long as they function correctly ie amber for indicators red for stop tail white for side lights.
As for the beam setter never yet had to fail a car with aftermarket headlight bulbs!
There is NO LAW in place to make it illegal for an MOT test
At the end of the day they are safer brighter more efficient
Just admit you don't like them...….
SO GO ON EVERYONE FIT led BULBS
luigi
Click to expand...

I never said they would fail an NOT (but they might if wrong colour, or incorrect brightness etc).

Any required exterior light (except reversing for some reason) MUST be approved and E marked. Light assembles may have LEDs built into them by design but these are not replaceable. Replacement lamps must be to an approved standard and E marked. There are NO approved standards for replaceable LEDs never mind LED alternatives to filament lamps.
MOT testers and insurance sales people (or me) do not determne legality, that is down to the courts. The law is fairly straightforward though.
As your own reference says the MOT does not determine compliance type approval. Try asking a DVLA SVA inspctor. For insurance try getting it in writing. Adrian S Flux do not even decide if you are covered, that falls to the underwriters. Ask the underwriters for writen confirmation. Many insurance companies will use any deviation to get out of paying a claim even if it has no material effect on the accident etc.

Robert G8RPI.
 
s130 said:
Well a little bit concerning.

My insurance company when I asked about changing my reversing light from bulb to MOT put me on hold whilst they contacted the underwriters. Underwriters came back with reversing light is OK because their are basically no restrictive laws for these but for all other units the are homologated for either bulb, HID or LED use and one can legally only replace the complete unit and take care of any self levelling and cleaning functions required (over 2000 lumens). All such changes need to be *accepted* and recorded on the policy to be covered by your insurance as do all vehicle alterations.

As for LEDs not failing an MOT they can, especially on DRLs. DRLs are MOT tested to correctly operate in conjunction with headlamps. Proper DRLs should dim when headlamps are turned on. Some P21W LED replacements can not operate correctly with voltages below 12V. Some won't illuminate at all and others will flicker.

This is not a case of the LED / modifications police. Anybody can do what the hell they like but don't expect insurance companies to pay out. They are perfectly entitled to not pay out / cover you if you have not disclosed relevant facts (e.g. modifications) to them and certainly so if that modification was a factor in the accident (eg. dazzling someone) or theft (boy racer liked you Recaro racing seat and full harness set-up).

I can assure you they WILL protect their interests and wriggle like mad come a claim time. Not only could you be seriously out of pocket (for the rest of your life if a lifelong incapacitation or death is involved), you will be prosecuted by the real police for driving without valid insurance.

You choice, not mine.
Click to expand...

Whille I agree with 99% of this, the statement " you will be prosecuted by the real police for driving without valid insurance." is untrue. As long as the insurance was in place and paid up at the time of the accident the road traffic act and 3rd party parts of the insurance are valid even if the policy is subsequently voided for something like undeclared modification(s) (even if not illegal). The insurance company has to pay the other party but can and will come after you for the money. Only if the insurance was void before the accident (typically the only non notified reason for thi is non payment) would you be driving without Road Traffic Act cover and thus liable to proscecution.

Robert G8RPI.
 
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