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Author Topic: Flickering interior lights + footwell+licence plate lights  (Read 3389 times)

Offline Grevling89

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Flickering interior lights + footwell+licence plate lights
« on: November 11, 2022, 07:53:43 pm »
Hi all,
my interior lights have been flickering on and off arbitrarily for some time. The other day, they went out, and the fuse was toast. New fuse in and the flickering is still happening. The front ones in the roof never go out completely, there's a faint light emitting from them even when switched off. The rear one flickers on and off like a madman.

All red lights on buttons etc. work, but as I understand that's another fuse/circuit.

Any ideas on how to troubleshoot? What end do I start in? I've heard the light switch in the roof can get faulty. 

Previous owner has put some sort of LEDs in it it seems. Does that make a difference?

At the same time, the passenger side footwell is out as well, but I haven't been able to check the bulb. It was also flickering for a while, and the same goes for the right licence plate light (left one works perfectly). These ones should be another circuit from the interior ones anyway, right?

Thanks!
2007 MK V - Pearl Black - 5 door - Happily stock

Offline GVK

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Re: Flickering interior lights + footwell+licence plate lights
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2022, 11:52:52 pm »
Start by fitting proper bulbs. LEDs can be rubbish in these cars as the lights are PWM controlled (pulse width modulation)

Offline breeze

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Re: Flickering interior lights + footwell+licence plate lights
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2022, 08:52:21 am »
Start by fitting proper bulbs. LEDs can be rubbish in these cars as the lights are PWM controlled (pulse width modulation)

Good advice. My money would be on the LEDs as well.

Let us know how you get on.

Offline Grevling89

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Re: Flickering interior lights + footwell+licence plate lights
« Reply #3 on: December 03, 2022, 09:55:32 pm »
Alright bois,

so you were right!

Pulled most of the el cheapo grande LEDs out. Look at these bad boys, they scream quality:



Now I have 50/50 white LED and ugly yellow stock lights both inside the car as well as on the number plate (which really is a sight to behold).

It did also seem to fix the always-on LED issue on the front reading lights, probably a more stable current in the circuit when distributed through working bulbs.

New bulbs are on their way... Thanks for the pointers so far!

Cheers,
G
2007 MK V - Pearl Black - 5 door - Happily stock

Offline Kebab Spider

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Re: Flickering interior lights + footwell+licence plate lights
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2023, 10:27:56 am »
Hi mate,

What did you buy and where from? I'm in the same position as you, my interior is full of flickering LEDs!

Offline Grevling89

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Re: Flickering interior lights + footwell+licence plate lights
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2023, 10:37:20 pm »
Hi mate,

What did you buy and where from? I'm in the same position as you, my interior is full of flickering LEDs!

I got these ones. Still cheap but seems to work significantly better. Flickering disappeared when all bulbs were fully functioning, so I suspect there's some circuitry that likes a steady flow throughout.

Link's fricked it seems. Here ya go: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003021879653.html
2007 MK V - Pearl Black - 5 door - Happily stock