DIY: Side marker LED upgrade

[whatheheck]

Here you go for sharing.

Replace the dull and boring OE bulb with LED bulbs. Your choice, you can either go with cool white, amber or red LED bulb.

The bulbs I ordered are error free. It has a built in load resistor so that it wont throw any fault light message.
These bulbs will also work for our license plate lamps.

Cheap and easy mod. Takes about 2 minutes each side, bulbs fit perfect, no fault light errors. Highly recommended.

Here are some photos and links. Hope that helps some of you.

2X 194 2825 921 W5WB W5W 2821 5 SMD Canbus White LED Dome Lights Map Lamps | eBay

Dan

[zerocks1]

Another big 'Like'. I had to code out the bulb check on the pre 08's, or a bulb out error displayed. This was one of my favorite, simple light mod's.

Again, nice job and great writeup.

[Lummox]

Hi Dan,

I've got these License Plate Bulbs, and they don't turn on. I see that you are using the 121 w/resistor built in for both the side marker and the license plate. As you can see, I have the 221 w/resistor built in. Did I get the wrong part #? 121 vs 221??? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you very much!

Big Mike

[whatheheck]

Hi Big Mike,

Those should work for both side markers and license plate bulbs.

All LED's all polarity sensitive or they wont work. Which basically means 12 volts power needs to be connected to the + side of the LED in order for them to work.

So this is what needs to be done: turn on your parking lamps, remove the original bulbs and insert the LED bulbs, if the LED bulbs dont light up - remove the bulb and rotate it 180 degrees then replug it back in and it should work.

Do the same to the other bulb and it should work. If they still dont work, then the LED bulbs are defective.

Hope that helps.

Originally Posted by Lummox

Hi Dan,

I've got these License Plate Bulbs, and they don't turn on. I see that you are using the 121 w/resistor built in for both the side marker and the license plate. As you can see, I have the 221 w/resistor built in. Did I get the wrong part #? 121 vs 221??? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you very much!

Big Mike

[Lummox]

Thanks Dan! Getting the fenders rolled this morning. I'll try them again this afternoon.

[Jackson1019]

Pictures of the rolled fenders after please

[Lummox]

Sorry guys, Christmas is getting in the way. Gotta go out of town until just before New Year's. Had no idea Dan that the bulbs were polarity sensitive. Must have put them both in backwards, then went away scratching my head. I'll post up some pix when I get the new spacers.

Fender roll came out great, and can be done by anyone who is careful. Had to trim the inner apron a bit, but I'm not too worried about that. Shooting for 15mm rear, and 12 mm front. I'll be happy with that for a while. May adjust the drop a bit when she goes to Dinan for corner balancing.

[GIFF]

These lights are awesome, not only do they have an improved appearance, they also light up my mail box on these short daylight days. Thank's to Dan I get ALL my bills now! ..... LOL









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[whatheheck]

You're welcome Gary!

And thanks for the acknowledgement and appreciation!

Originally Posted by GIFF

These lights are awesome, not only do they have an improved appearance, they also light up my mail box on these short daylight days. Thank's to Dan I get ALL my bills now! ..... LOL









.

[sattman]

Dan,
Thank you once again. I replaced my side markers with the white LED's, and while i was at it i replaced the license plate bulbs. Looks much better.