deeveus 81 Report post Posted May 13, 2014 Has anyone out there changed their normal bulbs to LED? If so, what is it that is required so that it doesn't set off the car's OBC for bulb failures? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonny5cy 2 Report post Posted May 13, 2014 There are canbus-error free LED bulbs for sale on Trade me, worked for my 07 Z4 before Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1896 Report post Posted May 13, 2014 You can either buy error free led bulbs or you can buy inline resistor packs that cancel tbe obc warnings. Repco and supercheap have them but they arent cheap!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
my_e36 43 Report post Posted May 13, 2014 From memory, on e46, all the exterior light except the side repeaters have bulb detection. The bulb warning can be turned off through software through OBD diagnostic port. So, if you have those USB -> OBD thing bought on Trademe/eBay, you can change settings and no resisters needed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted May 13, 2014 Really? News to me? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted May 13, 2014 Really? News to me? Yes Greg, load monitoring can be turned off with applicable SW via the ibus Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
handgrenade 189 Report post Posted May 13, 2014 How's the light dispersion with the led bulbs? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2122 Report post Posted May 13, 2014 (edited) yeah, a mate of mine did something like that on his E46 318Ci when he upgraded to the later full LED type housings. Edited May 13, 2014 by _Ethrty-Andy_ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M5V8 337 Report post Posted May 13, 2014 just on this subject... would these work in e39 brake lights? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/performance/bulbs/auction-728572727.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
m325i 705 Report post Posted May 14, 2014 Try ebay for cheaper lamps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
my_e36 43 Report post Posted May 14, 2014 Forget using them as headlights, no where near bright enough and the pattern is all over the place. Most change the number plate light and front park light/angel eye bulb for a bit of bling. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allanw 1051 Report post Posted May 14, 2014 If you don't code out the cold checks, you can have "strobing" of the lights when the cold checks are done - the current may be enough to light the LEDs, but an incandescent wouldn't have even thought about lighting up. Looks pretty nasty when it does it - random looking blinking. Not all models can code out all the checks either. I changed my E39 LCM to a later version (LCM4, from and E53 X5) to enable the disabling ( ) of the angel eye cold checks. Also, common replacement LED units simply do NOT have the same "amount" of light... they look bright, but won't light up much of an area type thing... That's why I stuck with incandescent on the Model A Ford - the LEDs looked brighter, but were harder to see, especially in sun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1896 Report post Posted May 14, 2014 just on this subject... would these work in e39 brake lights? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/performance/bulbs/auction-728572727.htm I had similar led bulbs in a honda city turbo and it failed a wof because they werent bright enough!! Ok for indicators or side lights but brake lights you want to be seen!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
handgrenade 189 Report post Posted May 14, 2014 The tech exists for led headlights eg Audi r8 but don't think there is a plug and play setup for a halogen lamp replacement Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
