License plate leds, only 1 led works

[Ace]

Ok so i bought some led bulbs for the license plate.
but to my surprise only the driver side led works, the passenger side does not work.
The bulbs are ok because i switched them and both work on the driver side.
A regular bulb also works on the right side, so what is causing the led to not work but a regular to work?

[Hotel Guy]

You'll have to play around with the metal pieces on top of the light fixture. I had the same issue since I got my LEDs from 42DD and they were a touch longer than the OEM bulbs. But that was before they started flickering, dying and giving me bulb-out warnings everytime I drove. I switched back to OEM because of the hassle, but I wish I still had that awesome LED look when I first installed them.

[vtecgreen]

I had this problem a couple times - I think sometimes the LED's just dont work correctly, thats why when I order them I get like 4 extra, just so I dont have to mess with them a bunch.

Try moving the contacts around, maybe clean them up a bit.

[02silverb6]

Also try switching the bulbs around not just switching sides.

[krazyboi]

I had the same issue on my A3....gave up. Had to order new light housing as well b/c the screws are stripped.

[Ace]

i got myself a few new bulbs, but the same thing occured.
so the contacts might be the problem?
But from what i can tell those are all touching more then enough, why else would a normal bulb burn?
Or could touching to much be bad also?

[dirtybrd]

LED's only work one way, so make sure the polarity is correct.

[02silverb6]

I have had these installed for about 2 months now with no problems...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=140213762592

[a2gtinut]

what size resistor do you use?
according to ebay seller 100 Ohms 10W. according to my calculations at 14V resistor disipates less than 2W (1.96W). Good rule si to use double so 5W is big enough.

[02silverb6]

what size resistor do you use?
according to ebay seller 100 Ohms 10W. according to my calculations at 14V resistor disipates less than 2W (1.96W). Good rule si to use double so 5W is big enough.

I didn't use a resistor. They were good to go out of the package

[AudiOso]

I have no problems running these bulbs on my TT or Avant, but those cars don't have DIS for the license plate lights as far as I know. My S4 on the other hand can't run the 42DD LEDs without throwing a failed bulb warning.

I keep waiting for a guy in the B7 forum to post a how-to about installing in line resistors so that I can use the LEDs for my S4.

Now, if there are bulbs I can buy that won't need the additional resistors that would be great!

[Ace]

thanks for the tip, never knew there was a polarity on those leds.

[a2gtinut]

I have early '04. I just tested light warning. After removing one of the bulbs I did not get any warning.