Member Since: 29 Apr 2011
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 61
LED Indicator Question
If one changes the indicator bulbs for LED ones, one has to insert a resistor as the voltage difference makes the system think a bulb has gone, hence the rapid internal indicator flash.
My question is that once inserting the resistor, will the system know if the new bulbs actually go give up the ghost? Does it depend on the resistor in place?
Apologies if this is stupid question, or has been answered before...did do a search, but couldn't see an answer. D3 HSE
D1 300tdi auto
Lancia Delta Integrale Evo
19th Feb 2015 5:08 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
System wont know if you have resistors fitted and a bulb fails.
The LED upgrade lamps don't have the same power draw as a standard bulb, the system sees this lack of draw as a bulb down.
The resistors provide the draw, hence the system failing to see a lamp down once the resistors have been put in place.Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
Last edited by Narpy on 19th Feb 2015 5:25 pm. Edited 1 time in total
19th Feb 2015 5:23 pm
kk7408
Member Since: 29 Apr 2011
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 61
Grand, thank you...thought as much, but thought I would ask anyway.D3 HSE
D1 300tdi auto
Lancia Delta Integrale Evo
19th Feb 2015 5:24 pm
crwoody
Member Since: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 2109
The resistor is to make up for the much lower operating current of LED's as compared to regular bulbs, it's the reduced current draw that gives the blown bulb indication.
The problem is as you say, once the resistors are fitted, the car has no way of knowing if an LED lamp has failed.
Because the operating current of an LED is so much lower, there is no way to reliably detect it's functionality, however because the modern automotive LED's are so much more reliable, you are very unlikely to ever see one fail.
Just for peace of mind though, it's always nice to see the reflection of them off the car in front when stopped at lights or whatever
Edit; must type faster Clive
19th Feb 2015 5:27 pm
Sloss
Member Since: 18 Aug 2013
Location: Aberdeenish
Posts: 1691
A word of warning folks, these resistors do get hot so take care where you mount it.
If it's likely to get wet from time to time then it probably will fail Stew,
2010 D4 gone but I really loved it
Went back to Merc - C350 AMG
20th Feb 2015 9:03 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
I've seen quite a few failures with the DIY LED & resistor setups. So much so that I will only help with a repair and not an installation.
Many individual members champion their success but very few post about the issues down the line. Melted bits of lamp assemblies & wiring are reasonably easy to find but faults can also produce enough RF & electrical noise to interfere with other systems.
The D3 is a complicated network of computers and you need to think about the risk. Those homemade LED indicators may appeal when fitted but if they fail when your wife is driving the car in rubbish winter weather far from home they may loose their appeal very quickly.
For all other LEDs please only fit quality parts from a reputable seller. Whilst it goes slightly against my comments above, the fitting of quality LED brake light bulbs appears to be positive for the D3s electronics. Time will tell if this holds true over the longterm, but I have yet to see one cause issues.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20781
Have to agree with Robbie's last statement. Only use good quality LED brake light LEDs
Seen some purchased from China via Ebay. When the brake pedal was pressed, the dash would illuminate, as would the front sidelights and no. plate lights.
Was in at a garage for 3 weeks while they scratched their heads, and pulled the car to bits.
Traced to dodgy LED bulbs within 60 seconds... My D3 Build Thread
RBP, do you mean you won't bother fitting the LEDs either, as the fast flashing tell tale is an MOT failure?
Interestingly, not fitting resistors also prevents cornering lamps from illuminating with the indicators. Current: Discovery 3 06MY (55 reg) HSE Auto Zambezi Silver Allisport Fast Road Intercooler, V8 Brakes, Silicone IC Hoses, EGRs Blanked, Remapped, De-Cat pipe, FBHIC
Freelander 2 2007 HSE Manual Tambora Flame
Previous: FL2 56 reg SE Manual Black (written off )
Disco 3 06 reg B7S Manual Rimini Red
Disco 2 TD5 Y reg ES Manual Blue - Chipped
Several Discovery 300 TDis
20th Feb 2015 10:01 am
RBP
Member Since: 29 Aug 2012
Location: N Yorks
Posts: 1936
MOT passed yesterday
To be honest I haven't noticed the cornering lights not working with the indicators - will check
20th Feb 2015 10:20 am
maplecottage
Member Since: 01 Feb 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3171
Disco_Mikey wrote:
Have to agree with Robbie's last statement. Only use good quality LED brake light LEDs
Seen some purchased from China via Ebay. When the brake pedal was pressed, the dash would illuminate, as would the front sidelights and no. plate lights.
Was in at a garage for 3 weeks while they scratched their heads, and pulled the car to bits.
Traced to dodgy LED bulbs within 60 seconds...
Valeo for me
20th Feb 2015 12:09 pm
RBP
Member Since: 29 Aug 2012
Location: N Yorks
Posts: 1936
Lost for Words wrote:
RBP, do you mean you won't bother fitting the LEDs either, as the fast flashing tell tale is an MOT failure?
Interestingly, not fitting resistors also prevents cornering lamps from illuminating with the indicators.
Just checked cornering lamps - they work fine with the LED indicators Bit yellow though
Mine didn't work with the indicators (worked fine with the steering) when I put the LEDs in until I added the resistors a couple of days later. I should add, it's the rear indicators I'm talking about - I haven't yet done the fronts.
Do you have the full adaptive system or are they BCM controlled add-ons?
Mine are nice and white. Current: Discovery 3 06MY (55 reg) HSE Auto Zambezi Silver Allisport Fast Road Intercooler, V8 Brakes, Silicone IC Hoses, EGRs Blanked, Remapped, De-Cat pipe, FBHIC
Freelander 2 2007 HSE Manual Tambora Flame
Previous: FL2 56 reg SE Manual Black (written off )
Disco 3 06 reg B7S Manual Rimini Red
Disco 2 TD5 Y reg ES Manual Blue - Chipped
Several Discovery 300 TDis
20th Feb 2015 12:28 pm
RBP
Member Since: 29 Aug 2012
Location: N Yorks
Posts: 1936
Perhaps an 07MY change then?Current: Discovery 3 06MY (55 reg) HSE Auto Zambezi Silver Allisport Fast Road Intercooler, V8 Brakes, Silicone IC Hoses, EGRs Blanked, Remapped, De-Cat pipe, FBHIC
Freelander 2 2007 HSE Manual Tambora Flame
Previous: FL2 56 reg SE Manual Black (written off )
Disco 3 06 reg B7S Manual Rimini Red
Disco 2 TD5 Y reg ES Manual Blue - Chipped
Several Discovery 300 TDis
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
After reading the above think I won't bother now 
Allisport Fast Road Intercooler, V8 Brakes, Silicone IC Hoses, EGRs Blanked, Remapped, De-Cat pipe, FBHIC
)
