Technical LED Tail Lights

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Technical LED Tail Lights

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May 25, 2011
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Hey,

Got a tail light out :bang: On the Punto 2012, they are LEDs. Manual says contact dealer for replacement. I guess that'll be pricey.

It's the entire nearside LED tail light that's out, but brake and indicators are fine. No bulb warning on dash.... so might be a fuse? Does anyone happen to know which fuse to check? Manual doesn't list the tail lights on the fuse locations :bang:

Also, Shop4Parts only seem to sell the entire rear light cluster, which I assume is what they dealer will try to sell me. But Osram (and others) do sell the relevant bulbs.

Anyone happen to know how easy (or possible) it is to get into the LED bulb, if it does indeed require changing?

Part numbers for a) the bulbs, b) the entire light cluster ? Can't find it on ePer, only seems to go to 2005?

Is there any mileage in trying to get this covered under my 3rd year warranty, given LEDs are meant to have a ridiculously long life?

Cheers,
Chris.
 
Hello,

LED are not replaceable on rear cluster. It's not a bulb or even at LED bulb, but LEDs are integrated in the unit.

You can check with a voltmeter, just put the position lights on, check to have 12V between 2 pins on connector. Perhaps you can follow the two thin wires in the cluster to identify pins position.

This should definitively be covered with warranty. LEDs should last the car life.
Typical is 50'000 to 100'000 hours (less for high power LEDs), so even 50'000 h is almost 6 years all the time on... so if they are on 4 hours a day it mean more than 30 years...

If you want the part number, send me a PM with you VIN and which side (precise with the side if car is RHD or LHD). Eper on this site is way too old.
 
Hey,

Yeah that's what I'd heard, though wasn't sure if that was just main dealer BS - but went in with it today and got it booked in to be repaired under warranty. I didn't ask them, I told them (y)

Asked them if they'll replace both light clusters anyway, for the 'misting' known fault... so it's going in next Thursday, we'll see what they do.

Will get back to you with the VIN for the p/n if I do end up having to buy it myself. I think it's the same part for the EVO, but it might be slightly different / different style perhaps.

Slight update: The LED light isn't out entirely, i thought it was, but it's not.... it's just on at VERY low power/intensity, so looks out... when I first noticed it, it was parked in front of another vehicle with it's lights on, so I thought the light I was seeing from it was just the slight reflection from their lights, but the other night at work in the dark, I noticed that it is on, but just very dim.

Cheers,
Chris.

Hello,

LED are not replaceable on rear cluster. It's not a bulb or even at LED bulb, but LEDs are integrated in the unit.

You can check with a voltmeter, just put the position lights on, check to have 12V between 2 pins on connector. Perhaps you can follow the two thin wires in the cluster to identify pins position.

This should definitively be covered with warranty. LEDs should last the car life.
Typical is 50'000 to 100'000 hours (less for high power LEDs), so even 50'000 h is almost 6 years all the time on... so if they are on 4 hours a day it mean more than 30 years...

If you want the part number, send me a PM with you VIN and which side (precise with the side if car is RHD or LHD). Eper on this site is way too old.
 
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Ok keep us informed :)

Yes if it is under warranty perfect. Otherwise I'll try to give you the PN.

Perhaps some LEDs are dead, the cluster should have many LEDs chip inside (4/6 I imagine) or a connection is weak.
 
Mmm Exactly the same fault as th op ,Rang my dealer only 16,000 miles 2 years and 4 months old its not covered,from what i gather its a small circuit board fault not the leds themselves, time to ring Fiat hq.:bang:
 
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It's possible to access to this circuit ?

Perhaps I can help you. If it's possible to access it, I can try to fix it.
Thanks Mkala ,in truth i am not sure ,i have rang Fiat hq ,i await their response into fixing through as a good will gesture,maybe the op can let us know if indeed he did manage to get his covered through the third year dealer warranty as mine clearly stated no,thus why i went to hq as it is not as simple as just changing a bulb (n)etc thank you .
 
You welcome. :)

Sorry not sure to understand (with my bad english) : You have 3 years official warranty and they don't want to cover this ? It's not possible ! It's not a user replaceable part !! It's not a bulb. In this case they have to take this under warranty. No doubts on this, try to inform from "consumer associations" in your country perhaps ?

If it is not possible to find a solution, I'm disposed to help/understand what is wrong with these LEDs in tail lights, because they are supposed to last the car's life, and you are not the first with problems.
 
I agree with what you say but here in the UK they pass the 3rd year warranty on to the dealer network who answer to a company that advises them whats covered and what is not ,lights are not covered ,even though i explained its not an ordinary light it has circuit boards etc ,they just dont listen now i am left in a position with a rear light virtually out ,breaking the law plus on the safety side it is not very good at all.:mad:
 
I'd be telling them they will be replacing it free of charge - that should last the lifetime of the car! If Fiat can't supply decent LEDs, then fit bulbs - at least then the owner can replace them themselves for a few quid.

At that age and mileage (or lack of) 'Not fit for purpose' is what I'd be saying. Make a nuisance of yourself!
 
I'd be telling them they will be replacing it free of charge - that should last the lifetime of the car! If Fiat can't supply decent LEDs, then fit bulbs - at least then the owner can replace them themselves for a few quid.

At that age and mileage (or lack of) 'Not fit for purpose' is what I'd be saying. Make a nuisance of yourself!

I agree i mentioned the mileage they just said we will open a case and get back to you how long who knows?,if it was indeed just a few bulbs i would just do it myself,but as its more than that circuit boards etc which control these leds you would think its covered the lights are not completely out ,but if i can explain if you had a dimmer switch the left side would be running at 10% brightness of the right hand side .
 
Ok thanks for explanation. Try to fight and to manage this the best you can. ;)

If this end as you have to buy a new cluster, I'm disposed to help you / try to fix the cluster (if it is possible.. if we can reach the "dead" component).
 
if you had a dimmer switch the left side would be running at 10% brightness of the right hand side .

+1, although last night I noticed the left side was back at full intensity. 5 minutes later it had dropped back down to being very dim. It seems to vary !

Be interesting what the dealer says when the car goes in to them on Thurs - but so far they've made no mention of it not being covered by the 3rd year warranty. I won't be paying them a penny though, regardless.

Will keep you all updated :)
 
It turns out the information is slightly different for the 3rd year dealer warranty the car care plan who dealers use basically have some basic guidelines ie in their book lights are not covered after the 2 year Fiat warranty ,in this instance its not the led,s that are failing but the circuit board electronics which turned out to be covered, it is that,that caused the confusion still all is well in the end :)
By the way mine are still working just the nearside is only running at 10% brightness.
Also i see yours austenw90 is a 2013 plate so would be covered automatically(y)
 
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