Fixed the Flickering LED Plate light!!

[cstarky15]

Alright, As i have promised to some, I have solved the stupid LED plate light problem. Some people have the issue, some don't. So i ordered the 9 led 39mm for the plate lights from autolumination.com. after getting them in they would flicker twice then go out. so i ordered the 15-25 ohm load equalizer. I got it on friday and got it put in. Here are the steps you will need with a 2 photos. If needed i'll take more.

*This is purely informational, I will not be held responsible for anything that goes wrong. or you cutting your wires!*


1) Have the lights installed and have the trunk lid oped.
2) You will have to take off the trunk lining, There are 8 clip things that hold it in place 4 on top, 4 on bottom, along with 2 screws. All you have to do is pull the lining out. It will come and not bust. I started with the bottom ones, once loose, find the 2 screws. (philips head) 1 is behind the glow in the dark trunk release To get to that one you will have to take the glow part apart from the black. stick a screw driver in there and it will come. from there you will see a metal ball that is connected to the wire to release the trunk. Take it out of the black peice and you can get to the screw easy and the other is on the other side by the handle inside the trunk. Once those are out pull off the cover over the trunk latch. this comes off really easy. from there pull the last 4 clips on top out.
3) You should now have the lining out of the way.
4) You will see a bunch of wires. There is a set of 4 wires that go up and kinda behind the bulb holder. going from left to right, Brown, Grey, Brown, Brown/blueish. You want the Left most brown and grey wires. You will need to cut away some of the wrap to get more wire. be careful you don't want to cut any wires!!!! Install the load equalizer. It should come with 2 blue wire taps but i was worried that it was going to be too big for the small wires in the trunk. I had some red taps or 22-18 gauge taps that i knew would work with those wires. Got it on and squeezed with pliers to make sure it got on tight.



5) Some how get the load equalizer a place to spend the rest of its life in the trunk lid. anywhere should be fine.
6) Before you close everything up go turn on the car and turn on the lights! Make sure you don't get any warnings and the ligths are working perfect! DON'T TOUCH THE LOAD EQUALIZER!!!! IT GETS VERY HOT VERY FAST!!! I have a blister to prove it.


Sorry about the hands. My sis is special.
7) If everything is working perfect put everything back together and enjoy your new LED plate lights!!!

[cstarky15]

Alright, ill bump this once because people are asking about the lights again! It was pretty simple!

[Richardesty]

Make sure you don't get any warnings and the ligths are working perfect! DON'T TOUCH THE LOAD EQUALIZER!!!! IT GETS VERY HOT VERY FAST!!! I have a blister to prove it.

I've decided not to go the resistor route cos of the immense heat they give off - I'm really not comfortable with it, especially going into winter Which is why I followed the route I did....

[cstarky15]

yes they get hot. with them on, you can not feel the heat through the trunk lid or on the lining inside the trunk. I have tried to feel the heat but nothing. and this was after a 30 min drive with the lights on.

[A4 S-Line]

Very Nice!

[cstarky15]

thanks

[gods_kitchen]

Can anyone tell me if the Hoen bulbs have the same problem?

[cstarky15]

no idea. i have heard pf their city lights melting the housing though!

[redlabel81]

Did you stick the resistor to the chassie?

[cstarky15]

Yes i did. i had some metal wire that i put around a part of the trunk and through 1 hole of the resistor. twisted it and it is hanging there. it is close to the body but not touching it. I was going to use some high heat silicon to keep it in place but couldn't find any at the time i was doing the project.

[redlabel81]

Nice. After trying and failing with 5 different LED sets that People claim work without resistor I have finally ordered my resistor.
viva la resistance!!!!

[Kid Red]

My first set worked with the resistor without issue.

[pretarion]

I just did this two weeks ago, and as far as the heat goes, last weekend I did a road trip from Dallas to Atlanta, driving all night long. I stopped a couple of times for gas and found no heat on the outside trunk panel.
As long as the equalizer is floating away from any contacts, you should be fine.

[virgsa4]

why not just get a resistor with a higher wattage rating? Do they not come in higher wattages for that particular resistance? Just wondering, I don't even know what resistance is needed for this.

[cstarky15]

are you saying so it wont get hot? I'm not certain but if you use to big of one then it won't allow any power to the lights!

[virgsa4]

are you saying so it wont get hot? I'm not certain but if you use to big of one then it won't allow any power to the lights!

What does it say on the resistor, how many ohms is it, and what's the power (wattage) that it's rated for? If you use one with the same resistance, but higher wattage, it won't affect the current to the led's it would just run cooler.

[cstarky15]

well it was a 15-25ohm 25watt one. if you can find me one that is the same but will run cooler i will give it a try!

[A4 S-Line]

7) If everything is working perfect put everything back together and enjoy your new LED plate lights!!!

Got the equalizer and just did mine

Thanks Starky!

[cstarky15]

Got the equalizer and just did mine

Thanks Starky!

Glad I could help and glad it worked out for you!!!

[redlabel81]

Anyone removed the inner linning on the avant?
Need help!

[cstarky15]

It should be around the same. A few clips and the lining should come out. Have any pictures of what you are having problems with?

[redlabel81]

I have unscrewd 4 srews on the lower part of the cover. I can see any more screws, but I just don't have the balls to try and pull it out......

[krazyboi]

I've decided not to go the resistor route cos of the immense heat they give off - I'm really not comfortable with it, especially going into winter Which is why I followed the route I did....

Which route did you go?

[Allan T]

Hey E

I have done this a couple of times now, when you have removede the 4 screws just pull the lower part of the cover of.



Don't forget to take of the two cables for the light

Allan T

I have unscrewd 4 srews on the lower part of the cover. I can see any more screws, but I just don't have the balls to try and pull it out......

[cstarky15]

way to come through allan!! I guess it is time to grow some balls and pull

[Allan T]

Lol

way to come through allan!! I guess it is time to grow some balls and pull

[redlabel81]

Hehe Perfect! Will start watering and putting them out there in the sun!!
Takkar Allan!

[redlabel81]

Have now grew some gigantic balls and I pulled and pulled!! To the point of breakage.
The part under the window will not come out. Got all the clips loose and the 4 lower screws....Allan! Please HELP ME!!

[Allan T]

If i don't remember totally wrong, there is only the 4 screws and then pull it off. Or you can losen the two "flaps" in the inne linning (the way into to your taillights), there you will see two more screws right next to your taillights. But i only think the hold the top plastic part.

If you take a flashlight, you can see what's holding the inner linning. The first time i did it on my car, it was stuck as h... to :-)

Allan T

[redlabel81]

Crap! I've had my head inside there with a flashlight. Can see what's holding it. The center part of the top is loose, but the ends are stuck! And believe me I have pulled!
I have seen the 2 screws you are talking about but it looks like they are for the plastic surrounding the window.
There has to be some kind of trick to get this out. Not just force.
Please cross the boarder and help a brother out............:)

[ngng]

this removes the flicker, but wil it remove the bulb out warning on the DIS?

[redlabel81]

I think it will yes....

Wil = Third largest city in the Canton of St. Gallen
Will = As an auxiliary, will is used to denote futurity dependent on the verb. Helping verb
;)

[Allan T]

I you take a little trip down to me, i will do it for you I just used force at my car, and Bigswede an me did it on his car last weekend same procedure. Maybe you are missing a clips in both sides? Bigswede is comming home to me on Saturday, i will try it on my car agian, if you don't get it off untill then.

Allan T

Crap! I've had my head inside there with a flashlight. Can see what's holding it. The center part of the top is loose, but the ends are stuck! And believe me I have pulled!
I have seen the 2 screws you are talking about but it looks like they are for the plastic surrounding the window.
There has to be some kind of trick to get this out. Not just force.
Please cross the boarder and help a brother out............:)

[redlabel81]

I see...I have released all the clips. 2 down and 4 on the top.
If it pull any harder it will break! I have the 2005.5. Could there be a difference from your car?
You did not unscrew the window surrounding aswell?

[Allan T]

That's the problem, i can't remember if it's the 2 screws that's holding it

[redlabel81]

Will see if I unscrew them. Kind off hard to reach.
Thanks man

[Allan T]

Will see if I unscrew them. Kind off hard to reach.
Thanks man

They are not hard to reach if unscrew them throw the two holes into your taillights.

Allan T

[A4 S-Line]

this removes the flicker, but wil it remove the bulb out warning on the DIS?

Yes it will. I installed the same as the OP and no warning. It wasn't too bad of a job. I followed the OP and got smaller wiretaps.

I do notice though upon turning the lights on that one of the lights actually does flicker for about 3-5 seconds before coming on strong. Its more noticeable with "coming home" active as I am behind the car when the lights come on.

[krazyboi]

can someone post a link of where to get the resistors for this project? thanks.

I think I found it: http://autolumination.com/equalizers.htm

[A4 S-Line]

I think I found it: http://autolumination.com/equalizers.htm

That's the place. I used 15-25ohm / 25watt