Side Lights - bulb gone... replacement options

[Max99]

One of my sidelights/parking lights has gone and i'm wanting to replace it.

Options are to replace it with a standard bulb (whatever from Halfords) or to replace both with something better?

Are there any sidelight bulbs which are bit brighter that are legal/won't cause any errors etc ?

Saw these on a thread somewhere else, http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575009367&toolid=10001&campid=5337067769&customid=&icep_item=350251198585&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229508&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg , how hard would they be to fit?

[trs888]

I wouldnt waste my money on those ones dude.

theyll be so dim you wont know theyre on! 

you want something like this :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/501-W5W-T10-LED-CanBus-sidelight-bulbs-Superior-5630-SMD-bulbs-with-lens-Pair-/281090791757?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item417251194d

or these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-NO-ERROR-FREE-CANBUS-W5W-T10-501-LED-SIDE-LIGHT-BULB-13-SMD-Xenon-White-/151065649482?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item232c36e14a

ive used both and found both to be brilliant!

Thom

[Max99]

Cheers, do either of those require additional fittings or are they simply plug in ?

How easy is it if they are to put in?

[trs888]

just a direct replacement for the OEM bulbs bud.

one bit of advice: on the bulb holders, there are 4 bits of metal that grab the bulb. if changing bulbs i normally push them into the centre (towards eachother) but not touching to hold the new bulb in a bit tighter. use a plastic device not metal and make sure lights and ignition off when doing it so you dont short anything

oh and be careful when puting it in the hole. you dont want it to fall out     

[Max99]

Thanks for your help, going to go for them.

Would you have a preference out of the 2 you posted as you've tried both?

Also last thing... may be stupid Q... but are they road legal ?

[trs888]

it depends on the light you are going for. the 13 SMD has a slight blue tinge, only slight , where as the black ones are a newer chip, technically should be a tad brighter and are a more crisp white light.

black ones




13 smd ones:



oh and ive never had a problem come mot time if thats what you mean.

i had some xenon gas bulbs in that were blue but the light output was pure white, and they failed! but never on leds.

[Max99]

Awesome, going for the black cased ones :) really appreciate your time replying   

[Conrad]

I've just gone for these not sure if there going to fit but look like there going to be bright! http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=271038334435.

[trs888]

Awesome, going for the black cased ones :) really appreciate your time replying   

no probs glad to help. this is what the forum is for!

post a pic here when youve got them in! 

I've just gone for these not sure if there going to fit but look like there going to be bright! http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=271038334435.

I had ones that were similar, they were double sided not crossed like those ones, and the can bus thing was crap. might be different for these, they are bright ill give them that! let us know how you get on with them!
you got xenons or halogen lights?

[Conrad]

Hella xenon look alikes with a 5k hid kit working a treat I'll update once fitted.

[Max99]

Well i've spent good 20 mins trying get the drivers side light out n failed, passenger side was so easy literally 5 seconds!

So I tried the new led in the passenger but can't seem to get it into the slot .... it's same width as bit of the original one but it's square at bottom and no curves so it doesn't seem to slot in ... any ideas?

Also does anyone know if Halfords bulb fitting service if they do it for bulbs not bought from them ?

[trs888]

Well i've spent good 20 mins trying get the drivers side light out n failed, passenger side was so easy literally 5 seconds!

So I tried the new led in the passenger but can't seem to get it into the slot .... it's same width as bit of the original one but it's square at bottom and no curves so it doesn't seem to slot in ... any ideas?

Also does anyone know if Halfords bulb fitting service if they do it for bulbs not bought from them ?

they should go in, myabe the pins are not seperating. ive got them in the holder with minimal difficulty. then again ive changed them loads of times 

oh, and probs a no no for halords. where you based bud?

[Max99]

ye i'm going to have a little bash at them tomorrow, hoping my osram night breaker headlights will be here tomorrow so will do it then. Hopefully i won't be defeated

I'm Sheffield based.

[Max99]

headlights went in a breeze... still cant seem get drivers sidelight out or fit the led bulb into the passenger side holder #fail #grazedknuckles l

[paulw123]

I had to use a pair of small nose pliers to pull the side light bulb holder out of its fitting tube. Not a nice job as you can't see what you are doing, bad/cheap design by vw.