Dash Message "Check Side Lights" after installing LED Markers - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

KingM5 · 26th March 2006, 05:54

Has anyone installed LED front side markers and might know what is causing the

ECU message "Check Side Lights" after the installation. If you place the original

amber bulbs the message disappears but all works well with the LEDS except for

the ECU alert..

EM5PWR · 26th March 2006, 06:08

current issues ??

Audioguy · 26th March 2006, 06:27

This is normal...

An LED had different characteristics when compared to an incandescent bulb.

Because of the way the LCM (lighting control module) monitors the bulbs status, an LED, (or aftermarket HID fog light kit for example) will make the LCM "think" the bulb in that particular socket is bad.

There is a work around if you were to do HID fogs, but it’s not realistic for something like a side marker light.

Have you considered PIAA hyper white bulbs?

If its the brilliant color you're looking for, the PIAA lights will come close, but if you're after the 'snap' of LED then you might be out of luck, unless you dont mind living with the fault message.

-Audio

KingM5 · 26th March 2006, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audioguy

This is normal...

There is a work around if you were to do HID fogs, but it’s not realistic for something like a side marker light.

Have you considered PIAA hyper white bulbs?

If its the brilliant color you're looking for, the PIAA lights will come close, but if you're after the 'snap' of LED then you might be out of luck, unless you dont mind living with the fault message.

-Audio

I thought PIAA only had headlight or foglight bulbs. They also make turn signal hyper white bulbs? My issue is with the front turn signal bulbs. But nothing beats the LED look since they match my HID 6000k headlights very well.

Here is a picture of the stock and LED bulbs.

E55AMG2 · 26th March 2006, 16:30

you will need to install a resistor across the side marker circuit, so as to equal the load of a traditional incadescent bulb. Then the system will operate properly, and wont display any messages.

KingM5 · 26th March 2006, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by E55AMG2

you will need to install a resistor across the side marker circuit, so as to equal the load of a traditional incadescent bulb. Then the system will operate properly, and wont display any messages.

I did install 4 resistors for the front and back. With or without the front resistors I get the message. The message ONLY goes away after installing the stock amber bulbs.

My stock bulb is a 3457 and the LED is a 7440. Is this the correct bulb number for the front turn signals?

E55AMG2 · 26th March 2006, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingM5

I did install 4 resistors for the front and back. With or without the front resistors I get the message. The message ONLY goes away after installing the stock amber bulbs.

My stock bulb is a 3457 and the LED is a 7440. Is this the correct bulb number for the front turn signals?

where did you tap the resistors? Inline with the positive or negative wires or from the positive to negative wire

KingM5 · 26th March 2006, 16:51

Similar resistors;

http://www.eautoworks.com/html/ord-L...bs-1-33226.htm

The resistor cables connect to the negative(brown) and positive(blue with brown stripe) on the front turn signal housing which has a total of 3 wires.
The middle wire is not tapped into the resistor.

KingM5 · 26th March 2006, 17:20

It looks like I received the wrong bulb. I'll post back when confirmed.

This should be the correct one.

http://www.eautoworks.com/html/ORD-1-1-1-33257.cfm

E55AMG2 · 27th March 2006, 19:38

the bulb itself shouldnt matter....because the load is nearly zero on the electrical system. If anything, they gave you improper resistors.