Replacing Halo Ring bulbs - LED options?

[DeutschRennfahrer]

So one of my halo ring parking lights went out and is throwing a warning light on the dash. I'd really like to replace all of them with LED bulbs for better brightness and longer life. I found these on CarID, but I am skeptical that they will fit.

Has anyone tried this? What would you recommend?

[chickdr]

Unfortunately there are no options that work without recoding the car to not thrown a bulb out code. There are many threads on the subject.

[m3power13]

Originally Posted by chickdr

Unfortunately there are no options that work without recoding the car to not thrown a bulb out code. There are many threads on the subject.

That is really a bummer if true!

Surely there is a solution. Most other auto/motorcycle applications just need a resistor to prevent a code from being thrown. The 2008 E92 cars have no problem running LED bulbs for the angel eyes.

[chickdr]

You can use an LED replacement but it really isn't much brighter from the photos I have seen. It also throws the bulb out code. It is too bad nobody had developed an error free halo replacement but alas they have not. There are also no LED options for the front turn signal bulbs in the hockey sticks...

[wdb]

Throws a code, really? That piques my electrical interest. It may be happening because LEDs are diodes. Has anyone tried reversing the mounting orientation?

Links to earlier discussions gratefully accepted.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by wdb

Throws a code, really? That piques my electrical interest. It may be happening because LEDs are diodes. Has anyone tried reversing the mounting orientation?

Links to earlier discussions gratefully accepted.

LEDs draw much less current than standard light bulb, thus causing the system check to think there's an "open circuit" as in burned light bulb - therefore throwing a light out code. You can code your car to not check for bulb out.

[DeutschRennfahrer]

How hard would it be to code out the warning light? I'm planning on having a performance tune done on my car later on, so perhaps it could be coded out then?

[wdb]

Originally Posted by XMetal

LEDs draw much less current than standard light bulb, thus causing the system check to think there's an "open circuit" as in burned light bulb - therefore throwing a light out code. You can code your car to not check for bulb out.

Ah, so the warning light is there when the lights are on. I guess you could put a resistor in line to force it draw more current, that way you would keep the bulb check functionality.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by wdb

Ah, so the warning light is there when the lights are on. I guess you could put a resistor in line to force it draw more current, that way you would keep the bulb check functionality.

Adding a resistor would not "keep the bulb check functionality", if the bulb did burn out it would not cause an error since the LSZ would measure the resistor resistance and think the bulb is ok. It's way easier to just code the LSZ to not check the halos then trying to add resistors.

BTW #1, the resistor would be installed in parallel not in line.

BTW #2, the LSZ checks the bulbs when they're not on as well when they're on, so disable both cold and hot checks in the coding.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by pungo

Adding a resistor would not "keep the bulb check functionality", if the bulb did burn out it would not cause an error since the LSZ would measure the resistor resistance and think the bulb is ok. It's way easier to just code the LSZ to not check the halos then trying to add resistors.

True but LED should last an eon so there is less risk. But now that you say that you can code it to just not check the halos I agree, that's the best course of action.

BTW #1, the resistor would be installed in parallel not in line.

See, that's what happens when I put away my electrical hat for so long.

Now to figure out how I program an LSZ...

...right after I figure what 'LSZ' stands for.

[StickMon]

Originally Posted by DeutschRennfahrer

So one of my halo ring parking lights went out and is throwing a warning light on the dash. I'd really like to replace all of them with LED bulbs for better brightness and longer life. I found these on CarID, but I am skeptical that they will fit.

Has anyone tried this? What would you recommend?

Those are the wrong type for the Halos. You need BA9s.
Here's what I have.
They have the potential to be brighter, but when you stick them in, the CREEs on the side go a little past the halo ring, so they're not directly lit.
No dimmer though, and whiter.

Had to code out the bulb check.

[bmwZ]

On my old E85 I used a bulb with built in resistor. It was also quite bright... No codes, but can't remember the type of bulb..

[wdb]

Originally Posted by bmwZ

On my old E85 I used a bulb with built in resistor. It was also quite bright... No codes, but can't remember the type of bulb..

I'm sorry but that is insufficient information.

Seriously, if there is any way for you to recall what you used, I for one would be ecstatic.

[yousefnjr]

Originally Posted by bmwZ

On my old E85 I used a bulb with built in resistor. It was also quite bright... No codes, but can't remember the type of bulb..

Looks pretty damn good, in for info as well

[pungo]

Not to say those bulbs don't look nice in this picture, but I'm pretty sure those bulbs would not be very bright in broad daylight. The picture was probably taken with a long exposure in a semi dark area making the bulbs look brighter than they really are.

Originally Posted by bmwZ

On my old E85 I used a bulb with built in resistor. It was also quite bright... No codes, but can't remember the type of bulb..

[Mirko]

Do you think this would work?

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2Pcs-...422697186.html

[AmmarYasirA]

When I bought my MRoadster, the very first thing I needed to do was to replace one of the halo bulbs that had gone out. I already knew that I wanted a bright LED option and so I started searching...and searching... And searching. From buying atleast 4 pairs of bulbs online in the past year, the best option is to switch the entire base of the bulb. The Ba9s base that is used for the halo bulb doesnt have enough (good) LED options.

I have a set of LED Ba9s in my headlights but:
-they're not bright enough
-the blue tint in the headlights for the Halo makes them too blue
-for $30 its a waste of money
-they dont match the xenons in my car

Ive been so busy that I've (maybe) taken the car out about 3 times in the past 4 months. But the moment I find some time ill get around to switching the base of the bulb and putting in a proper LED bulb in there to make it look right.

A few months back another member switched the base of the bulb to install a brighter LED bulb and he also had a full DIY for it as well. I would recommend anyone that wants a brighter halo bulb for their car to follow that route. Trust me, its easier that way.

[m3power13]

Have a link to that DIY?

[chickdr]

Not understanding what you mean by "switch the base of the bulb"????

[StickMon]

There's a thread around where somebody hacked up the plastic holder and put in BAU15s (1157, 7507, etc.) socket.
Worked out well IIRC.
I've been pondering hacking up some spares I have to back the CREE up about 1/4" so the LEDs line up with the halo ring.
I've been pondering a lot of things that I'll never get around to.

[cogriff]

Originally Posted by StickMon

There's a thread around where somebody hacked up the plastic holder and put in BAU15s (1157, 7507, etc.) socket.
Worked out well IIRC.
I've been pondering hacking up some spares I have to back the CREE up about 1/4" so the LEDs line up with the halo ring.
I've been pondering a lot of things that I'll never get around to.

Not sure if the thread you're referring to is mine but I did this. here is the link:

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=970661

hope it can help someone.

[StickMon]

^Yep, that was it.
Thanks!