Technical Changing parking lights

[lukish]

Hello everybody,

Newbie question. Both front parking lights of my Seicento Sporting failed within few days from each other. (By front parking lights I mean the two small white lights that are switched on with the first turn of the light stalk) I need to change them but I'm not sure which bulbs I need to buy? Also, is it easy to reach the bulbs?
Thank you in advance,

lukish

 

[flisko]

looking at pics it looks like twist and remove, w5w light

http://shop.wesem.com/en/3/6695/headlamp_0297_for_fiat_cinquecento

 

[Huwbishop]

Parking lights, or side lights. Either way if they are the same on cinq and sei, then they are a "501" bulb.

501 is a 5w push fit bulb. Looks all glass, flat at one end, with two bits of wire looped over the flat bit.

Just someone confirm they are the same on both cars.

My cinq has them as only parking lights, as in when you turn the key backwards with the button depressed. For side lights, it puts headlamp bulbs on dim.

Anyone else got that? I have had two cinquecentos, one conventional and one odd.

 

[David C]

My cinq has them as only parking lights, as in when you turn the key backwards with the button depressed. For side lights, it puts headlamp bulbs on dim.

Anyone else got that? I have had two Cinquecentos, one conventional and one odd.

That is called Dim-Dip.
My 1994 Cinq has it.
Only around for late '80s - early '90s.
I thought it was a great idea as it prevented people driving on just side lights.

As for the side-light/parking-light bulb, yes it is a W5W / 501 / 5W Capless bulb.

 

[Huwbishop]

Is the small coil resistor behind the front bumper what governs the side light function? Like a ballast.

I agree, good idea. But why do people drive on side lights anyway. One click more and you have two 55w halogens on. If you want to be seen, do it properly.

Or is that just the motorcyclist in me talking.

 

[fingers99]

Is the small coil resistor behind the front bumper what governs the side light function? Like a ballast.

Yep.

 

[lukish]

Thank you very much everybody for your help. I agree that sidelights should not be used for driving! But it is good to have them working anyway. As English is not my first language, I am unsure of the difference between parking lights and side-lights, but I think I am referring to the side-lights (i.e. not the orange flashing ones which indicating turning left or right, but the dim white front lights which are the first to switch on when you turn the left stalk).

I'm wondering whether it's possible to swap the blown out 510 W5W 5W bulbs with LED lights - and maybe do the same for the main beams too, in case the whiteness changes too much. I've done a bit more research but still have a couple of questions:

1) I am assuming LED lights can indeed be used, and I do not need to buy 'Canbus error free' LEDs?

2) Can I use a LED which only uses 1 or 2W? Is using a LED which uses 5W too powerful (i.e. is its light too strong?)? I have found the following 6 options on eBay (in increasing order of light output - sorry I cannot post URLs yet, so I have given the current ebay item number!):

eBay item number:301236451220:
(12V, 43 Lumens [LM])

eBay item number:140825715721:
(12V, 72 Lumens)

eBay item number:311059797702:
(strange socket, not sure if compatible, DC 12V, Lumen output: 100-150 Lumens)

eBay item number:301294897793:
(1.5W, 250-290LM)

eBay item number:331348796146:
(12V, Lumen output unknown)

eBay item number:131360258641
(DC 12V, 1W, Lumen output unknown)

Sorry for the many options! But in case you've taken the time to check them, my question is: are they all OK, and do you have any suggestion and to which one to buy?

3) Which bulbs should I buy for the main lights please (socket, voltage/wattage), in case I want to upgrade them as well (it's probably time to change them anyway)?

4) (edit) Also, I've noticed one of the two front fog lights of the Sporting has failed - again, does anybody know the specs for the bulb I need please?

Many thanks for your help!

lukish

 

[Huwbishop]

You're English is very good. Yes we are talking about the same lights.

I have had a look at the bulbs you have listed on you're last post and I personally would not use any of them. The light they emit is too directional.

A side light should have a wide angle, so that it lights the whole lamp very dim.
Such as
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-LED-S...05&prg=11472&rk=3&rkt=6&sd=131360258641&rt=nc

You won't need canbus error free with a cento.

I am not sure but I don't think led main beam would be legal in the u.k. I know that h.i.d lights are not legal.

If you want a better whiter light, I recommend osram night breaker plus headlamp bulbs, I have used them in several vehicles, they are a definate improvement. The centos use an h4 headlamp bulb.

 

[lukmek]

try this site
i always had great service from them



http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/

 

[lukish]

First of all, apologies for the delay in getting back. I was very busy at work and kept forgetting to reply here.

I'm going to buy osram night breaker plus for the main lights, as suggested by Huwbishop. For the sidelights, I will probably buy both the non-led and the led lights, and see which one is better - it won't break the wallet, and I might as well experiment a bit!

Thank you very much to all - it's good to see people taking the time to help even with noobie questions, and I really appreciate it.