Anyone here done LED front turn signals? - Page 2

dmclaren · 7th June 2011, 05:34

Been meaning to post a reply. I posted about LED brake lights, complete with an elaborate idea about resistors mounted to a board, on 5seriesforums. A guy named Simon replied, asking why I'd want to do that. Turns out he does coding and he was in Mission Viejo, south OC.

Simon sent me a menu of all the things he could code, and I went to his place. He hooked up his laptop and did a bunch of stuff, most of which I can't remember but the pony does more tricks now. Main thing is he turned off the checking of the front indicators so I have no error at all. Now, last weekend I took off the resistor from the driver's side, still no error. They're sort of a PITA to get the turn signals out, so I wasn't in a hurry to take the other one off. I just wanted to take one off to see if I got an error.

He also stopped the cold and warm checking of the brake lights BUT I still get errors from both sides when the car is started. Moments later the errors clear. I don't know if there is some extra super secret checking of the brake bulbs, but it bums me out. Maybe another code guru will know something about it, but if I can't stand it I will start playing with resistors again.

So, bottom line on the front turn signals: code it to stop the cold and warm checks and no resistors are needed.

Dave

Miguex · 7th June 2011, 05:47

There is another option: You don't need a resistors. it can be done coding to disable the error.
See this: YouTube - ‪LED fix with NCS Expert‬‏

I have LED signal bulbs without resistors and coded them and no errors.

mrjoe60 · 7th June 2011, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miguex

There is another option: You don't need a resistors. it can be done coding to disable the error.
See this: YouTube - ‪LED fix with NCS Expert‬‏

I have LED signal bulbs without resistors and coded them and no errors.

so you can code the ecu?? What happens if the bulb is out, you'd never know unless you look, right?

Miguex · 13th June 2011, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrjoe60

so you can code the ecu?? What happens if the bulb is out, you'd never know unless you look, right?

Yes, you are right but the LED's life is 100 times than old fashion bulb so I doubt it will be out. it is not coding the ECU, it is coding the LMA module. you need an INPA-EDIABAS cable and NCS Expert for software, There are plenty of these at google / ebay.

If you don't want it for DIY and need someone else, you can find them at bmwcoding.com and find one in your local area.

dmclaren · 14th June 2011, 04:34

Hey Miguex, do you have LEDs in the brake lights? My guy disabled the cold and warm check on the brake bulbs but I still get an error on start-up. So, I'm wondering if anyone else has coded the brake lights and gets no error.

Dave

reesy_csl · 14th June 2011, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miguex

Yes, you are right but the LED's life is 100 times than old fashion bulb so I doubt it will be out. it is not coding the ECU, it is coding the LMA module. you need an INPA-EDIABAS cable and NCS Expert for software, There are plenty of these at google / ebay.

If you don't want it for DIY and need someone else, you can find them at bmwcoding.com and find one in your local area.

Great you got this working with pure coding. Would like to do the same thing with my M6, which lines did you code in NCS?

cosmin · 12th September 2011, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmclaren

I've got the stock bulbs out, the 3457 wedge style. Note that this is a 2008 LCI car, but this job would be the same on a non-LCI car except I understand that the bulb base is the conventional style as BMW had used for years though with offset pins.

There are a load of LED lamps that have the same base as the 3457, 16mm by about 3.2mm. It's one thing to plug it in, it's another to fit it through the housing, get a good amount light thrown off the reflector, sufficient overall output and a nice color. I learned that buying a bunch of different bulbs for my E30 project.

The thing showing up a lot these days are the SMD (surface mount) LEDs. They seem to be more compact and pack more LED light sources into the lamp. So I figure I'd go with something that appears to pack a bunch - 45 of them. Will they be any good? Don't know until I try, but I have a hunch these should do nicely.

I took the calipers to the stock 3457 bulb and base, and overall dimensions of this LED lamp look to me to be close:

Dave

Can you confirm please, which type are the LED's used in that bulb:

- 3528 SMD http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/111169...warm_white.jpg http://www.wayjun.com/images/Led/led-1210.jpg
or
- 5050 SMD http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/215...brightness.jpg http://www.effled.com/images/5050%20...ED%20(RGB).jpg

The difference between them: type 3528 has only one chip (2 connection pin), type 5050 contains 3 chips in same capsule (6 connection pin) and the light intensity is 3 times bigger.
Looking to your picture, i assume it's 3528 (smaller size ~ 3x3mm).

Since here i can't find, i want to build a pair of these LED bulbs.

Thanks in advance.

dmclaren · 13th September 2011, 05:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmin

Can you confirm please, which type are the LED's used in that bulb:

- 3528 SMD http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/111169...warm_white.jpg http://www.wayjun.com/images/Led/led-1210.jpg
or
- 5050 SMD http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/215...brightness.jpg http://www.effled.com/images/5050%20TOP%20SMD%20LED%20(RGB).jpg

The difference between them: type 3528 has only one chip (2 connection pin), type 5050 contains 3 chips in same capsule (6 connection pin) and the light intensity is 3 times bigger.
Looking to your picture, i assume it's 3528 (smaller size ~ 3x3mm).

Since here i can't find, i want to build a pair of these LED bulbs.

Thanks in advance.

They're not 5050, they are regular SMD. I looked on ebay where I bought mine and found some more from the same seller. These are what I bought:

3157 3057 3357 3457 Ceramic SMD 45-LED Light Bulb Amber | eBay

As you can see from my video they look great.

cosmin · 13th September 2011, 06:43

Yes, indeed they look awesome. That's why i want to install in my car.
I haven't found any comparison video - old vs. new. The light intensity is greater, smaller or same as with the old lamps?

Unfortunately, i don't think i can buy from there. The shipping costs ! 50$+ and it takes around 1-2 months to arrive in Europe.
So... maybe the only way is to build it.

cosmin · 21st September 2011, 07:47

Hello again. I found something at chineese producers (68 LED's/bulb). Now all i have to do is sit and wait.
I'll be back with news in ~ 2 weeks.