DIY LED Reverse Light

[dracolnyte]

Edit:

Originally Posted by awhk82 View Post
I have disabled the reverse light bulb error check with VAGCOM. Now running LED bulbs without any issue.

Here are the steps:
Module 46 Central Convenience > Security Access 16 > 16017
Adaption 10 > Channel 181 > Convert your decimal number to binary (for example my default number in decimal is 65535, converted to binary = 1111111111111111), then change bit 10 and 11 from 1 to 0 (my new binary value becomes 1111001111111111, which is 62463 in decimal) > Enter the new binary value > Test > Save

T10 style LED w/ resistor would work

Open trunk lining to access rear lights

Just 2 clips holding it in place

Access to internals

Just one screw holding it in place; remove it

Unattach 2 wires to remove circuity board

Internal Board

Pull to remove old bulb, replace with new LED

Comparison with old bulb


New LED reverse light (sorry guys, I tinted my reverse and turn signal lamp area, else it could have been brighter)

[nickfd]

Can you post where you got the light? What light it is? What type of resistor? If it's compatible for MY2010? And any other important piece of information that those of us wanting to try this DIY could do it please?

[ACowabunga]

Looks good. Thanks for the easy DIY walk through too!

[Ryan_T]

Bulb info please.

[Runge]

Can you post where you got the light? What light it is? What type of resistor? If it's compatible for MY2010? And any other important piece of information that those of us wanting to try this DIY could do it please?

+1 please

[Runge]

and, secondly, how does it compare to the bulb? any brighter?

[belzebutt]

It seems like it's a point light source compared to the standard bulb where the whole area lights up evenly. Is that how it looks when looking at it with your own eyes too?

[dracolnyte]

its a custom made LED with resistor that i made myself

i dont think its brighter than the stock one but it sure as hell look better :)

[NPuter]

Front turn signal time?

[Ryan_T]

Did you take any particular precautions in choosing the resistors? High heat load, high endurance, etc? The last we want is for our cars to go up in flames for having nice reverse lights.

[awhk82]

Since the base of the OEM T16 bulb is the same as a T10. I've purchased a pair of canbus error free T10 LED bulbs to try it out (can't find any canbus T16's). Hopefully it can be a plug and play solution without the need of altering with the harness. The problem is my car is in for service now.

[jabicho]

I think you´ll lose a lot of brightness if compared to the original light, take into account that T10 lights replace 5w halogens, and these reverse lights are 16w...

[scottyuk]

Front turn signal time?

That's what I REALLY want ... along with the rears.

It totally bugs me to have LEDS front and rear and not the turn signals.

[storm4200]

Since the base of the OEM T16 bulb is the same as a T10. I've purchased a pair of canbus error free T10 LED bulbs to try it out (can't find any canbus T16's). Hopefully it can be a plug and play solution without the need of altering with the harness. The problem is my car is in for service now.

well? any luck?

[awhk82]

Unfortunately, the CANBUS T10 bulb did not draw enough current to fool the ECU.

[coolwater]

How about these? Look like they could blind you from behind.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-T10-T15-C...item1e685775df

Would be nice to have a 50W Led Bulb, especially for the fogs w/ no errors.



-cW

[dame drizzo]

I bought Cree led reverse lights but I got an error but can't figure out how to make this resistor work. Any info on how to attach resistor seperately ?

[Liquid Smoke]

the color does look nicer, but i dont like the way it has the bright spot, while the standard one has a nice even glow to it. not sure if its really worth it just for the reverse lights? who sees those anyway lol.

[dracolnyte]

I bought Cree led reverse lights but I got an error but can't figure out how to make this resistor work. Any info on how to attach resistor seperately ?

try this one http://www.ebay.ca/itm/220716428207?...84.m1423.l2649

[STA4]

try this one http://www.ebay.ca/itm/220716428207?...84.m1423.l2649

I have a feeling that those will still cause error because it's a T10 replacement, which is lower wattage.

[dracolnyte]

I have a feeling that those will still cause error because it's a T10 replacement, which is lower wattage.

i heard nextmod came out with LED reverse light kit for every car

[radioactive]

Where do you install resistors?

[dracolnyte]

Where do you install resistors?

i took them off, they throw errors when temperature drops, lowering their resistance. updated the opening post

[dame drizzo]

Yea what I bought is basically a waste of money . Not trying to have error codes pop up on dash and can't get rid ofnthem without swapping out stock bulbs. Sucks I spent $20 on some bright ass LEDs when I could've spent $5 and had the same error. Sucks I can't use them in any other part of the car ( figure it will give error anywhere I put it)

[maga4]

Sorry if I am dense, but are there any bulbs that work for this that we know of? I know OP said some threw errors but then updated original post. Not sure if it was to say those didnt work or to update with the ones that do. Thanks!

[dracolnyte]

Sorry if I am dense, but are there any bulbs that work for this that we know of? I know OP said some threw errors but then updated original post. Not sure if it was to say those didnt work or to update with the ones that do. Thanks!

i practically tried every ebay one with resistors, i think they need to draw more than 5w to keep the error away.

[maga4]

i practically tried every ebay one with resistors, i think they need to draw more than 5w to keep the error away.

Thank you for the reply and all the effort!

[maga4]

Just saw this post on the B6 board, any thought on the reverse lights listed about 1/2 way down the first post?

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ar-the-eff-out

[aleemmerani]

Hey there - could you help me determine how to install the resistors? I purchased the 168/194 CAN-bus from superbrightleds.com which look awesome but throw an error code and their tech support suggested resistors. They said I could return them both for a full refund if it doesn't work but, I can't find wiring diagrams for the tail lights. I don't have the LED taillights but it seems like the wires are the same based on the pics above.

Any help would be awesome - thanks :)

[Mrav]

So I'm guessing nobody's had any luck with this so far huh? I did some searching but couldn't find any good T16s either

[Rollin Thunder]

I have these installed in my 2013 A4 without any issues thus far.

http://www.jlclightings.com/CREE-5W-...p/cr-39008.htm

[Jmstrag]

I have these installed in my 2013 A4 without any issues thus far.

http://www.jlclightings.com/CREE-5W-...p/cr-39008.htm

how long have you been running them? hows the brightness?

[B8_Jim]

hows the brightness?

The stock bulb is a 921 - 18 watt : around 264 lumens, according to : http://www.jwspeaker.com/bulbs/?filt...lb-921-details

These CREE are 720 lumens - should be more than 2.5x brighter...

Only 5w though - wonder if that's enough to prevent a bulb out warning in all cases or kind of on the edge and will work in some cars, not others - or in warm weather, but not cold?

[Jmstrag]

The stock bulb is a 921 - 18 watt : around 264 lumens, according to : http://www.jwspeaker.com/bulbs/?filt...lb-921-details

These CREE are 720 lumens - should be more than 2.5x brighter...

Only 5w though - wonder if that's enough to prevent a bulb out warning in all cases or kind of on the edge and will work in some cars, not others - or in warm weather, but not cold?

ya thats what im worried about, working for him now but once that cold weather hits they might throw up an error

[Blackhawk878]

Rollin Thunder, any issues with the CREEs thus far?

[Lloydeezy E]

I have these installed in my 2013 A4 without any issues thus far.

http://www.jlclightings.com/CREE-5W-...p/cr-39008.htm

i might have to test these out

[Mrav]

i might have to test these out

In theory they should work with the 09's right?

[Lloydeezy E]

i can't say for certain, but i don't see why it shouldn't

[Mrav]

i can't say for certain, but i don't see why it shouldn't

Yeah, I'll have to do some research and find out if they're indeed wedge bulbs and what the watt limits are. LED reverse lights will look awesome.

[Lloydeezy E]

LED reverse lights will look awesome.

Amen!