Number plate lights clanking around!?

[f1fan]

I bought a pair if 18 SMD LED number plate lights this week. They are sealed units that replace the existing VW units.

However they also have an extra wire running to a silver metal block.  When I fitted them I had to poke the block in first and let in find its own path then the light.

Took the care for its first drive tonight since fitting them and can hear a strange metallic clanking noise, I'm guessing the blocks and bouncing around in the bumper.

Any one else had this problem and how did you fit the metal blocks?

Thanks

[stealthwolf]

Mine didn't come with any. 

One of the othet forumites did.

[chrisr763]

The silver block is the resistors I presume. Have you tried the lights without the reistors attached? Do they stay on for more than 5 seconds?

[fab5freddy]

Yep that will be the resistors, i'd suggest "no more nails" type tape and try and fix the resistor into the recess first

[f1fan]

I wondered if I could stick the resistors to the top of the light unit itself, not sure if there is enough vertical clearance.  Other I'll try sticking them to the inside of the bumper before putting the light in.

[CAPTAIN BRITAIN]

I'm using the same 18 smd units without the resistor little silver box and they have worked perfectly for the last year i had them fitted, i say unclip it see how you get on.
The units themselves are not a perfect fit, But they don't rattle either

[f1fan]

So, daft question I know, but what exactly do the resistors do if you can run the lights ok without them??

[CAPTAIN BRITAIN]

I think resistors are used so that it adjusts the leds to your cars voltage so that you don't get the bulb warning light,
But the number plate lights never give a bulb out warning so the resistors are not needed,
Someone correct me if I'm wrong about the job of a resistor.

[f1fan]

They've stopped clunky around now, maybe they have fallen off!! 

I didn't get bulb failure warnings off the old bulbs so as you say probably don't need them.  Will try it out.

[chrisr763]

Number plate bulbs are not read so no warning lights. However! If the led causes little resistance then they may turn off after 5 seconds...hence the need for the resistors. But try without :)

[f1fan]

I eventually managed to fish the silver blocks out from inside the bumper and removed them.  The lights work perfectly without them so I'm not putting them back in, obviously no error warnings as you mentioned. 

Just need to change the number plates to pressed metal ones now