jimrex
August 7, 2012, 3:10 pm
Seen a few people on here have upgraded to LED sidelights, but I've not yet seen a MK3 with them. Until now... bought a set on eBay and fitted them this evening.
Before, horrible yellowness:
[img]http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/uploads/gallery/album_864/gallery_29004_864_1134290.jpg[/img]
Now, nice crisp white lights:
[img]http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/uploads/gallery/album_864/gallery_29004_864_513298.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/uploads/gallery/album_864/gallery_29004_864_703362.jpg[/img]
The photos don't really do them justice to be honest, they do look really smart

Didn't even have to remove the headlights (but I now have very grazed knuckles and fingers!). Now I just need whiter headlights to match!
I also bought LED rear lights but unfortunately they are too big for the holes in the back of the light units so they've got to go back
WillClarkIOM
August 7, 2012, 3:30 pm
Hello mate, a few of us have put the LEDs on the mk3 me being one, you might have to go back a few months of topics to find it but anyway, we found that the LEDs (had 5 LEDs pointing in different directions) within an few weeks/ a month say 4 would have gone out and the rest would flash leaving you looking like a police car (theres an up side haha) somebody said it was to do with the heat from the main bulbs. But keep me updated as they do look the bees knees when they first went in.
jimrex
August 7, 2012, 3:34 pm
Yeh I had read that to be honest but thought I'd take the plunge, they weren't expensive. I'm gunna keep the originals in the boot so if they do let me down I can quickly pull them out!
I'm hoping they'll be okay, as you say they do look the part
2011fiesta
August 7, 2012, 3:44 pm
First time I've actually been tempted to do this. Looks much cleaner
WillClarkIOM
August 7, 2012, 4:32 pm
If they start playing up you can put them in the boot each side there is a bulb and they are the same lamp, don't know what they would look like at night as mine had a one way ticket to the bin.
Ravi811
August 7, 2012, 5:04 pm
[IMG]http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn235/Ravsta811/IMG_1190.jpg[/IMG]
Done mine when i first got the car, massive difference
[IMG]http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn235/Ravsta811/IMG_01601.jpg[/IMG]
WillClarkIOM
August 7, 2012, 5:20 pm
Still working fine?? If so post a link to them could you buddy
Ravi811
August 7, 2012, 5:43 pm
[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ERROR-FREE-CANBUS-W5W-T10-501-LED-SIDE-LIGHT-BULB-13SMD-/270791953969?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f0c754e31#ht_2110wt_1271"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ERROR-FREE-CANBUS-W5W-T10-501-LED-SIDE-LIGHT-BULB-13SMD-/270791953969?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f0c754e31#ht_2110wt_1271[/url]
they look like this mate, cant give you the exact link as my friend gave me them, but ive had them in around 3 months, but one or 2 of the LEDs have now stopped working or sometimes flash, but for the price and and how long they last cant really moan.
Ive ordered some more to

should be coming any time this week. will post pictures once ive fitted them
artscot79
August 7, 2012, 5:51 pm
that was me that mentioned the heat there are heat resistant leds but you would need the adaptor to bypass the canbus ive started using diamond white standard bulbs
jimrex
August 8, 2012, 2:58 am
[quote name='artscot79' timestamp='1344379905' post='199516']
ive started using diamond white standard bulbs
[/quote]
That'll be my next option if these fail I think
WillClarkIOM
August 8, 2012, 10:25 am
Alrite ravi do you ones have the 13SMDs on? Might explain why my 5SMD lamp didn't look as bright as yours
jimrex
August 8, 2012, 12:52 pm
I spoke a bit soon... they're already playing up! Both light up when I unlock the car, and both work when I turn the sidelights on with and without just the ignition. When I then start the engine though, after about 5 seconds the driver's side one goes out and doesn't come back on, but the passenger side one stays lit as it should. God knows!
Foci_st3
August 8, 2012, 1:39 pm
I had led side lights on my st they didn't last long, best option for led I found is the ones that basically look like normal 501 bulbs instead of buying the type with 4-5 small led's
Ravi811
August 8, 2012, 1:41 pm
[quote name='artscot79' timestamp='1344379905' post='199516']
that was me that mentioned the heat there are heat resistant leds but you would need the adaptor to bypass the canbus ive started using diamond white standard bulbs
[/quote]
mine are acting weird lol
mine are working fine now, before i fitted sub one or 2 leds were flashing
now there fine
dont know if this makes a difference
Ravi811
August 8, 2012, 1:42 pm
[quote name='WillClarkIOM' timestamp='1344439553' post='199639']
Alrite ravi do you ones have the 13SMDs on? Might explain why my 5SMD lamp didn't look as bright as yours
[/quote]
alright mate yeah these are the 13 smds, ive even ordered the 42 ones lol
artscot79
August 8, 2012, 2:24 pm
the more l.e.ds usualy the faster they burn out the flicker is usualy the start beware when they start to go they get very hot you can even smell them burn sometime.
ive went back to extreme diamond white 501s as bright as the leds and last a lot lot longer the leds are okay for the rear lights and the number plates
WillClarkIOM
August 8, 2012, 3:15 pm
Could you post a pic of them in light like this?
artscot79
August 8, 2012, 5:45 pm
ill try a bit busy as i work niteshift
gc88
August 10, 2012, 2:13 pm
[quote name='artscot79' timestamp='1344453884' post='199716']
the more l.e.ds usualy the faster they burn out the flicker is usualy the start beware when they start to go they get very hot you can even smell them burn sometime.
ive went back to extreme diamond white 501s as bright as the leds and last a lot lot longer the leds are okay for the rear lights and the number plates
[/quote]
any chance of that photo mate? and a link?
artscot79
August 10, 2012, 2:44 pm
could only get a nite shot guys as im really pushed at the moment
and the link http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ULTRA-AUTO-XENON-DIAMOND-EXTREME-WHITE-501-W5W-SIDE-LIGHT-BULB-BULBS-A-PAIR-/110777760358?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19cade7a66
gc88
August 10, 2012, 3:14 pm
Awesome thanks.
How long you had them? are they fairly bright and suitable?
artscot79
August 10, 2012, 3:45 pm
6months or so they do what you expect them to do and match the hid look bulbs i have perfectly not that i use the sidelights much but they are far longer lasting than leds
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