LED Reverse Light DIY walk through

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03-03-2014, 06:23 AM
waiapasi2006

LED Reverse Light DIY B7

Hello everyone,
Here is a little DIY I put together a few days ago to add LED's to your reverse light.
You can use any LED (of course the proper ones to fit your model and housing) to get this job done.
Here are some steps to follow. This has been discussed here, but I wanted to add a few pictures.

step 1: Removing screw cover

https://i.imgur.com/lBRHQpg.jpg

step 2: Remove screw holding tail light housing

https://i.imgur.com/VjRDNLM.jpg

step 3: Don't pull the tail light housing from this angle. You will brake the two tabs holding it on the left side

https://i.imgur.com/wzLPuoY.jpg

Use this tool and pry it to get it loose or a small screw driver

https://i.imgur.com/grkiLd4.jpg

step 4: remove the housing

https://i.imgur.com/pf2imbA.jpg

Step 5: Unplug the harness from the housing
As you can see mine was done but I wanted to tape it up better.
https://i.imgur.com/eqTp63D.jpg

step 6: locate the brown and blue with red stripes wires. My pin shows # 4 and 6 (drivers side housing)

https://i.imgur.com/AtvgZpc.jpg

step 7: These are the wire tap used.

https://i.imgur.com/d7GITQJ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HuhQCKk.jpg

step 8: use above wire taps to tap into the two wires from pin #4 and 6

https://i.imgur.com/N80rXJ0.jpg

Step 9: Closer view

https://i.imgur.com/bUDcpcU.jpg]

Step 10: Adding the reverse wire (blue/red stripes) in the wire tap

https://i.imgur.com/pFhVXX2.jpg

Step 11: Adding step 10 with one side of the wire coming from the resistor, see black cable
https://i.imgur.com/xVmKIBl.jpg

Step 12: Crimp them tight together to make a solid contact/Connection
https://i.imgur.com/c0TeoZE.jpg

step 13: Do the same as above but you are going to use the brown wire.
Crimp the brown wire with the other wire coming from the resistor.
https://i.imgur.com/CfE01uA.jpg

step 14: you should now have something like this
https://i.imgur.com/YVBGVyu.jpg

As you can see there are two wires each coming from on of these connectors (wire taps)
Brown with black and blue/red stripes with black. The black cables are the wires coming out from the wire bound resistor. See pic in Step 7.

Step 15: tape everything back together.

https://i.imgur.com/aaISswl.jpg

Step 16: mount your resistor to the chassis of the car for additional heat sink

https://i.imgur.com/znDnnyc.jpg

Try to average and mount it a little low so the housing can fit without touching it.

You should now end up with this.

https://i.imgur.com/Sx9TZ7X.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/LQ26lVA.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Zav7Paj.jpg

If I forgot something please don't hesitate to chime in.
I'm just trying to share and help the community as it has done for me.

This was done on the driver's side housing, but it also pertains to the passenger side. The pin numbers will be different, but the colors of the wires should be the same.

Enjoy.
03-03-2014, 07:51 AM
amar26

is it noticeably brighter when reversing in the dark?
03-03-2014, 07:59 AM
waiapasi2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by amar26

is it noticeably brighter when reversing in the dark?

Yes, if you have a reverse camera you will see the difference.
03-03-2014, 08:06 AM
blingaling

Awesome! Where did you get the leds from?
03-03-2014, 08:10 AM
waiapasi2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by blingaling

Awesome! Where did you get the leds from?

I got them from a local store, but they are tons online.
03-03-2014, 08:16 AM
waiapasi2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by blingaling

Awesome! Where did you get the leds from?

These are better then the ones I used.

Mine are the same brand, but has only 18SMD those have 24SMD I just had them laying around.
03-03-2014, 11:27 AM
jsandor91

Do yours ever stay partially on or did the resistor fix that ? I plan on trying out a projector led bulb next

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
03-03-2014, 11:29 AM
Hugh@EuropaParts

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsandor91

Do yours ever stay partially on or did the resistor fix that ? I plan on trying out a projector led bulb next

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Mine stay on... slightly.
03-03-2014, 11:29 AM
jsandor91

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh@EuropaParts

Mine stay on... slightly.

Do you have a resistor and what style bulb do you have ?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
03-03-2014, 11:32 AM
AKO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh@EuropaParts

Mine stay on... slightly.

The ones i tried do and they flicker when put in reverse!
03-03-2014, 11:39 AM
Hugh@EuropaParts

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsandor91

Do you have a resistor and what style bulb do you have ?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

No resistor... just a reg 1156 LED bulb, not the projector type.
03-03-2014, 01:11 PM
waiapasi2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsandor91

Do yours ever stay partially on or did the resistor fix that ? I plan on trying out a projector led bulb next

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Mine used to be on slightly , but the resistor fixed that.

Sent from my Tapatalk App.
03-03-2014, 05:11 PM
wildcat333

AWESOME!!! Thank you, OP!
03-03-2014, 05:12 PM
wildcat333

Just adding this here for anyone that needs to know what bulb is what:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...nt-%28B7-A4%29
03-03-2014, 05:53 PM
waiapasi2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildcat333

AWESOME!!! Thank you, OP!

You got it.

Sent from my Tapatalk App.
03-03-2014, 06:02 PM
AKO

Any local place these resistors can be purchased ?
03-03-2014, 06:06 PM
AJacksA4

Ive found the projector ones to be much brighter. I tried a few different types.

http://r.ebay.com/FfuHOo
03-03-2014, 06:13 PM
AKO

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJacksA4

Ive found the projector ones to be much brighter. I tried a few different types.

http://r.ebay.com/FfuHOo

X2 the exact ones i have
03-03-2014, 07:02 PM
wildcat333

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJacksA4

Ive found the projector ones to be much brighter. I tried a few different types.

http://r.ebay.com/FfuHOo

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKOeuro

X2 the exact ones i have

The BLUE housing metal or plastic isn't visible through the clear reverse plastic, is it?
03-03-2014, 07:08 PM
jsandor91

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildcat333

The BLUE housing metal or plastic isn't visible through the clear reverse plastic, is it?

I would like to know this as well I almost purchased like $20 ones

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
03-03-2014, 07:09 PM
wildcat333

I wonder if these would be good?
They have projector style on the front of the LED bulb, but also allow light from the sides (which would reflector on the mirror reverse area of the tail light).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-1156-Whit...574c54&vxp=mtr
03-03-2014, 07:15 PM
AKO

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildcat333

The BLUE housing metal or plastic isn't visible through the clear reverse plastic, is it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsandor91

I would like to know this as well I almost purchased like $20 ones

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Slight reflection but only at an angle! Doesn't bother me

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
03-03-2014, 07:53 PM
Pashody

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildcat333

I wonder if these would be good?
They have projector style on the front of the LED bulb, but also allow light from the sides (which would reflector on the mirror reverse area of the tail light).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-1156-Whit...574c54&vxp=mtr

Would they even fit?
03-03-2014, 08:00 PM
wildcat333

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pashody

Would they even fit?

I dunno
03-03-2014, 08:24 PM
waiapasi2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildcat333

I wonder if these would be good?
They have projector style on the front of the LED bulb, but also allow light from the sides (which would reflector on the mirror reverse area of the tail light).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-1156-Whit...574c54&vxp=mtr

Try them and post back.

Sent from my Tapatalk App.
03-03-2014, 08:28 PM
waiapasi2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKOeuro

Any local place these resistors can be purchased ?

Try any automobile stores that deals with leds in your area.
I know the radio Shack here don't carry them. You might be lucky where you're at.

Sent from my Tapatalk App.
03-03-2014, 09:19 PM
AJacksA4

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildcat333

The BLUE housing metal or plastic isn't visible through the clear reverse plastic, is it?

Yeah the blue is a bit visible, but you know me, it goes well with my setup. If you want a more OEM look they make them in silver or you could always paint them. The other lights you found should be even better if they fit, the more LEDS the merrier.
03-03-2014, 09:25 PM
waiapasi2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by amar26

is it noticeably brighter when reversing in the dark?

To answer your question I tried to park in a dark spot to take this snap shot.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/04/edy3u6u6.jpg

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03-03-2014, 09:29 PM
waiapasi2006

There are brighter ones out there. I just used these because I had them for a while sitting.
The picture was taken without applying brakes, so no extra lighting from the brakes lights.
They will soon have leds in them too.
03-03-2014, 09:45 PM
2pointOh

Could you use 3m tape to mount the resistor? Drilling holes always worries me about rust.
03-03-2014, 10:34 PM
waiapasi2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2pointOh

Could you use 3m tape to mount the resistor? Drilling holes always worries me about rust.

I'm not to sure how well they would hold up with the heat. The chassis will help as a heat sink which is better.

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03-03-2014, 10:35 PM
2pointOh

Quote:

Originally Posted by waiapasi2006

I'm not to sure how well they would hold up with the heat. The chassis will help as a heat sink which is better.

Sent from my Tapatalk App.

Yeah understandable. I guess you could just put some grease where you'll drill

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
03-03-2014, 10:46 PM
AKO

Quote:

Originally Posted by waiapasi2006

Try any automobile stores that deals with leds in your area.
I know the radio Shack here don't carry them. You might be lucky where you're at.

Sent from my Tapatalk App.

Im gonna check it out! Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by waiapasi2006

I'm not to sure how well they would hold up with the heat. The chassis will help as a heat sink which is better.

Sent from my Tapatalk App.

How hot could the resistor get? I mean your reverse lights are on for what 5 maybe 10 secs?? I think double sided tape should hold up okay
03-03-2014, 11:05 PM
waiapasi2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2pointOh

Yeah understandable. I guess you could just put some grease where you'll drill

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

No grease here.
03-03-2014, 11:06 PM
waiapasi2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKOeuro

Im gonna check it out! Thanks

How hot could the resistor get? I mean your reverse lights are on for what 5 maybe 10 secs?? I think double sided tape should hold up okay

Go for it!
03-03-2014, 11:12 PM
2pointOh

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKOeuro

How hot could the resistor get? I mean your reverse lights are on for what 5 maybe 10 secs?? I think double sided tape should hold up okay

Good point! I'm going to try that soon, once I get maintenance done.

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03-04-2014, 05:13 PM
wildcat333

Double sided tape should be fine. I have it on my drl resistors that get 400 degrees hot and I've had them for over two years.
03-04-2014, 06:06 PM
waiapasi2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildcat333

Double sided tape should be fine. I have it on my drl resistors that get 400 degrees hot and I've had them for over two years.

Interesting.

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03-04-2014, 06:32 PM
wildcat333

Quote:

Originally Posted by waiapasi2006

Interesting.

Sent from my Tapatalk App.

Yeah. As long as the metal you apply it to is clean, you should be good to go. I had to redo it within one week of installation because my surface was not clean apparently. I removed the 3M tape, cleaned it with rubbing alcohol, and reapplied.
03-04-2014, 10:12 PM
waiapasi2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildcat333

Yeah. As long as the metal you apply it to is clean, you should be good to go. I had to redo it within one week of installation because my surface was not clean apparently. I removed the 3M tape, cleaned it with rubbing alcohol, and reapplied.

If it works for you, go with it.

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