Led turn signals for tails and switchbacks Review and Install

[hbodo08]

Alright so i pulled the trigger on some ijdmtoy.com led error free turn signals for the rear and switchback led's for the front.

Before


After


here is the install of the tails. and pics



here is the install video for the headlights. and pics



Now for my review, the installation went smoothly for both front and rear.

1. There are no errors on dash or hyper-flash issues using all the 6ohm 50w resistors.

2. The rear turn signal leds have no issues beside getting the bulb to fit into the socket, just push a bit and they fit perfectly.

3. The front turn signals with the switchback bulbs gave me some issues, the connector needed to be shaved down a tad to get the actual bulb to seat properly in the socket. so just dremel that down and its good

4. When keeping my blinker on for over 10 seconds the bulbs would not switch back to the white parking lamp. This is because our cars come with a 2 wire system and not a 3 wire system that is actually what these bulbs are made for. the 3 wire system has a ground a parking and a blink wire. the 2 wire system What Our Cars Have is set up like this : one wire for ground and one wire for parking and blink.

5. When using the lane change feature (3 blinks and off ) they worked like they were suppose to.

6. Flashers work perfectly.

7. Using this chart from this thread helped me find the tap points for the resistors http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...Wiring-Diagram

if you have any more questions pm me

hope this was clear enough to understand

[CrazyCal]

The switchback feature is pretty neat. White running lamp with amber turn signal out of the same bulb.

[hbodo08]

yeah im pleased with them, still got some bugs here and here but ill get it all worked out

[UltraSchnell34]

Looks awesome! Nice job!

[catchuk]

they look great

[Akronnnnnnnn]

Nice job man can't wait to see them in person. The rears aren't switchbacks, right? If so you didn't need the resistors, I don't have any in mine and you've seen them.

[B6A4Dave]

delete

[audi_nightrider]

Shouldve gone with red turn signal lights for the rear.

I have to do this soon as its getting annoying getting the broken light warning every once in awhile whenever I use my turn signals....I just bought a LED turn signal off ebay without any resistors haha

[CyberPMG]

Nice work Heath! I'm still trying to find an LED bulb that will work for my front turn signals for my ecodes. Supposed to be the same bulb as used for the rear turn signals, but they won't light up when installed up front.

[audi_nightrider]

I know someone posted the tail light diagram too right? can't find that thread!

[hbodo08]

Nice work Heath! I'm still trying to find an LED bulb that will work for my front turn signals for my ecodes. Supposed to be the same bulb as used for the rear turn signals, but they won't light up when installed up front.

thanks it was tough to do but after looking it up it was a breeze still have some bugs to get worked out but i think i have it now

I know someone posted the tail light diagram too right? can't find that thread!

yeah its in the one with the trailer hitch install http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...h-installation look through there

[mdk]

I think I may have the solution to your bugs.. I just installed a set of these and found that I had to use 2 resistors on each side - one from pins 7 to 8 (see diagram below) and one from pins 9 to 8 (covers the steady "on" and the signal "blink" modes of the LED switchback bulb). After installing the 2 resistors on each side, I don't have rapid blinking signals, errors, or the 10-second issue you mentioned. Everything is working great.

Hope this helps someone...

[mjt20mik]

I just bought two 60 smd 3157 switchback bulbs with resistors and everything. However, I can't seem to get the switchback feature to work. For some reason, I either get the white leds on full time (with white flashing) or amber flashing (with no daytime led). Anyone have any idea what the issue with this is?

[n7plus1]

the audio in teh videos is terrible..

[PNW Avant]

I really like the clean look of blinking LEDs...nice! I would disable those front parking lights, but that's just me (just leave the resistor between 7&8 but put tape over the parking light lead on the LED bulb.

[PNW Avant]

4. When keeping my blinker on for over 10 seconds the bulbs would not switch back to the white parking lamp. This is because our cars come with a 2 wire system and not a 3 wire system that is actually what these bulbs are made for. the 3 wire system has a ground a parking and a blink wire. the 2 wire system What Our Cars Have is set up like this : one wire for ground and one wire for parking and blink.

I'm pretty sure the stock bulb is 3 wire as well...about 75% sure. Blinkers are usually dual element so that would require two power wires and one common ground.

[n7plus1]

not sure why your turn signals are white...? thats illegal in most states, no?

[airjordan223]

not sure why your turn signals are white...? thats illegal in most states, no?

the running lights are white, they turn yellow for turn signals, thus the name switchbacks. its also in the end of the video if you watch it

[Emilgevor]

I bought some as well few months ago but mine are different. My while light stays on when amber is blinking. Is there something I can do to make white turn off while amber is on?

[mjt20mik]

@emil: I was told from the person from the site I got the bulbs from, that it stays white even when flashing. So it may just be the bulb you have.

With regards to my issue, I even tried just putting in the bulb (without the resistor) to see if it would work even with hyperflash and whatnot. The bulb still remains white if I leave it in one way. If i rotate the bulb 180 degrees, it just stays off until i put the indicator on (in which case it stays orange).

[Emilgevor]

Your dont stay white when flashing tho.
Can you put picture up of the connections on the bulb? Maybe i need to bend them some way

[Pr0n]

I bought some as well few months ago but mine are different. My while light stays on when amber is blinking. Is there something I can do to make white turn off while amber is on?

You have the older "Type 1" switchbacks, the "Type 2" is the one the OP has.

Type 1 alternates white and amber when the turn signal is applied
Type 2 only the amber flashes when the turn signal is applied.

edit: instead of "older" I should use the term "original".

[EURO_DOLL]

This is genius. I just started a thread a little while back about possibly VAGging my turn signals/ parking lights on my headlights so they didn't come on except when the turn signal was on (Nothing's worse than that amber color CONSTANTLY being on!). I was told it's impossible to VAG the car to do what I wanted - so then I brought up the LED suggestion, and I basically got bashed for being "One of those assholes who have white turn signals" - which is understandable I guess LOL. I don't know how the hell I missed this thread when I searched before posting. I now found the solution to all of my problems :)

I went on the ijdmtoy.com website, and I couldn't actually find the switchback LEDs or anything that resembles them. Which ones exactly did you use? (Sorry if you mentioned this on here already! I browsed through 3 times and couldn't seem to find it. But there's always the possibility that I'm just blind haha).

Great job on the write-up! And thanks again :)

[mjt20mik]

Could it be possible that the bulbs I have (60smd Switchbacks - 3157) aren't compatible with my car? I can't seem to see any other reason as to why my switchbacks don't work.

[Peacob]

Nice work Heath! I'm still trying to find an LED bulb that will work for my front turn signals for my ecodes. Supposed to be the same bulb as used for the rear turn signals, but they won't light up when installed up front.

I have yet to find that too, but meh... whats the point when they are never on anyway other than the split second when you're turning?

[Peacob]

I now found the solution to all of my problems :)

You could just buy a set of ecodes and you never have to deal with corner lights to begin with. :)

[mjt20mik]

You could just buy a set of ecodes and you never have to deal with corner lights to begin with. :)

I think I might have to move away from my stock ones. Can't seem to figure out why my bulbs aren't working.

[victimdumper]

did OP ever fix the problem with the lights not switching back? and/or did the suggestion from mdk help OP/anyone running these?

[Peacob]

Call me a hater... but when i see people with 6000k fogs with 6000k headlights on at the same time, i just find it over the top..... having blueish corner lights on top of it is just too much...

The thing that really makes me laugh is the people that roll around mid day when its bright as hell out with both headlights and fogs on, just looks ridiculous.

I personally dont even really use my fogs unless i really have a hard time seeing at night....

[the sheriff]

Call me a hater... but when i see people with 6000k fogs with 6000k headlights on at the same time, i just find it over the top..... having blueish corner lights on top of it is just too much...

The thing that really makes me laugh is the people that roll around mid day when its bright as hell out with both headlights and fogs on, just looks ridiculous.

I personally dont even really use my fogs unless i really have a hard time seeing at night....

truth.....

[EURO_DOLL]

You could just buy a set of ecodes and you never have to deal with corner lights to begin with. :)

Yes yes yes. That's the official plan for the future. As I mentioned above, I originally just wanted to turn those bulbs off all together except for when the turn signal is turned on - one because it was a cheap option until I can afford E-codes and the ballasts and bulbs. But for the time being to get rid of the dull amber I personally thing that LED switchback turn signal bulbs would look nice - that's given that I'm not going to have to invest hundreds of dollars in getting them to work. If my only options at this point is either A.) running with my stock amber signals, or B.) getting a bulb that runs hyper white and turns amber when the turn signal is on, I personally think option B.) would be the better option for myself. But again, that's just me!

[victimdumper]

could be worse. so many people around here rocking 6000k+ hids and fogs in reflector housings.
all day, err day. its not fun to say the least

ps. euro_doll, if you get the stock ambers to only go on during turn signals, you should let me know. haha im too lazy to do any of the actual research to figure it out myself

[Peacob]

Yes yes yes. That's the official plan for the future. As I mentioned above, I originally just wanted to turn those bulbs off all together except for when the turn signal is turned on - one because it was a cheap option until I can afford E-codes and the ballasts and bulbs. But for the time being to get rid of the dull amber I personally thing that LED switchback turn signal bulbs would look nice - that's given that I'm not going to have to invest hundreds of dollars in getting them to work. If my only options at this point is either A.) running with my stock amber signals, or B.) getting a bulb that runs hyper white and turns amber when the turn signal is on, I personally think option B.) would be the better option for myself. But again, that's just me!

Hey, i'm not hatin on your dreams or opinions. But i do think you should save your money and get what you want. Spending more money to hold you off until later just delays the process even longer. But hey, everyone is different, and i only settle for exactly what i want.

The day you do get a set of ecodes tho, contact me and i'll relay them for you

[PNW Avant]

Yes yes yes. That's the official plan for the future. As I mentioned above, I originally just wanted to turn those bulbs off all together except for when the turn signal is turned on - one because it was a cheap option until I can afford E-codes and the ballasts and bulbs.

Someone posted up elsewhere on the board that if you cover the power to the parking light element on the bulb (there is a dedicated lead) with electrical tape, and wire a resistor between wires 7&8, you should have "poor-man's" e-codes. You essentially are preventing power from getting to the parking light portion of the bulb, and then tricking the car to thinking its there with the proper resistor. I think its a great idea and plan to try it out soon. No Vag necessary (and there is no VAG method to do this, for what its worth).

[Peacob]

Someone posted up elsewhere on the board that if you cover the power to the parking light element on the bulb (there is a dedicated lead) with electrical tape, and wire a resistor between wires 7&8, you should have "poor-man's" e-codes. You essentially are preventing power from getting to the parking light portion of the bulb, and then tricking the car to thinking its there with the proper resistor. I think its a great idea and plan to try it out soon. No Vag necessary (and there is no VAG method to do this, for what its worth).

I've read this before too..... def the best option for those with US spec headlights.

[victimdumper]

hmmmmm... i may attempt that soon to confirm.
wish i knew the resistor value though, or else ill have to break out the DMM

[Peacob]

hmmmmm... i may attempt that soon to confirm.
wish i knew the resistor value though, or else ill have to break out the DMM

I wanna say the resistor is a 100ohm - 10watt, thats what i'm using to trick my bulb out warnings for my ecode city light relay. I wanna say it'd be the same, but dont quote me

[PNW Avant]

I wanna say the resistor is a 100ohm - 10watt, thats what i'm using to trick my bulb out warnings for my ecode city light relay. I wanna say it'd be the same, but dont quote me

Should be 6 ohm 50w, just like the OP used to get these LEDs to work properly.

[Peacob]

Should be 6 ohm 50w, just like the OP used to get these LEDs to work properly.

like i said dont quote me

[EURO_DOLL]

could be worse. so many people around here rocking 6000k+ hids and fogs in reflector housings.
all day, err day. its not fun to say the least

ps. euro_doll, if you get the stock ambers to only go on during turn signals, you should let me know. haha im too lazy to do any of the actual research to figure it out myself

Hahaha you got it!! PNW Avant brought up the method that some people suggested I do, down there vvv .. And I'm going to attempt this very soon! Ill keep you posted mister :)

Hey, i'm not hatin on your dreams or opinions. But i do think you should save your money and get what you want. Spending more money to hold you off until later just delays the process even longer. But hey, everyone is different, and i only settle for exactly what i want.

The day you do get a set of ecodes tho, contact me and i'll relay them for you

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it :) And no offense taken. I absolutely agree with you about saving the money and waiting to get exactly what I want, and that's why I originally wanted to do the Vag Com thing and possibly the LEDs - just so I wasn't spending a ton of money on something that's semi-permanent. I'm just far too impatient! (And that's one of my biggest downfalls haha.

Someone posted up elsewhere on the board that if you cover the power to the parking light element on the bulb (there is a dedicated lead) with electrical tape, and wire a resistor between wires 7&8, you should have "poor-man's" e-codes. You essentially are preventing power from getting to the parking light portion of the bulb, and then tricking the car to thinking its there with the proper resistor. I think its a great idea and plan to try it out soon. No Vag necessary (and there is no VAG method to do this, for what its worth).

I do think at this point this is my best option while waiting to actually buy e-codes. I started a thread a little while back to see if it was able to be done through Vag Com, but as you mentioned - it isn't possible. There's a couple of posts in my thread (Link below) that explains that method a little more in depth for anyone else considering this option. But it definitely IS a great idea. I just hate that "DING!" everytime a bulb flickers - after all the problems I had with my past A4 I have a heart attack whenever I hear that beep haha. That's probably the only reason I haven't hopped on board with that yet. But it does seem like it's a pretty straight-forward procedure, especially because the car will think everything's still in proper working order. If you end up doing it before I do, definitely let me know how it goes. Very interested!

Click :)