upgrading bulbs on the ring lights

d8ean · Post by **d8ean** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 10:40 am

i've got a 06 x5, and have zennons and the ring eye side lights
i've noticed on the brand new x5 the ring lights are a whiter light which matches the actual zennon colour!
are there bulbs on the market that can be purchased to get the same effect? im guessing there must be a LED type out there to replicate

please discuss

thx
dc
(old x5drivers member)

RichardP · Post by **RichardP** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:56 am

There are several 'LED Marker' kits available, the main problem with them is that your angel eyes flicker as the light control module does 'cold monitoring'. The voltage and pulse time used for cold monitoring is not enough to illuminate a filament bulb, but it does illuminate an LED for a short time. It is possible to re-code the LCM to turn off cold monitoring.

d8ean · Post by **d8ean** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 12:21 pm

you've lost me there?

http://www.hids4u.co.uk/bmw-oem-angel-e ... 66-87.html

jango-fett · Post by **jango-fett** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 12:32 pm

Hi,
Cold monitoring is performed by the light controller ecu. when you switch on the ignition it sends a small pulse to the light to check the light is functioning, if not, you will get a warning regarding the blown bulb. Another option you can have switched on is warm monitoring where the light is only checked when you switch it on. Alternatively the checks can be disabled altogether. This can be done by a dealer or someone very handy with nscexpert (bmw software tool)

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 1:51 pm

I have replaced mine with AE V3 LEDE bulbs and there are very bright and white (but expensive). Can get cheaper ones if you want. They are not difficult to replace but do flicker on start-up (but I don't mind as it only lasts a second or so and I quite like it....lol).

d8ean · Post by **d8ean** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 3:05 pm

any pics?

535dboy · Post by **535dboy** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 6:26 pm

One of my oem ones blew at the weekend

I'm just about to order new led ones from ssdd Motorsport now

Jalf · Post by **Jalf** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 7:09 pm

I changed mine with a set of PIAA H8 LEDs, no errors or troubles at all

535dboy · Post by **535dboy** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:15 pm

Looks good jalf, hope mine look like that too

Did you fit them yourself?

Jalf · Post by **Jalf** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:22 pm

Yes I fitted them myself, very easy job, you just unscrew the back of the headlight, like a lid on a jar

535dboy · Post by **535dboy** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:24 pm

[quote=""Jalf""]Yes I fitted them myself, very easy job, you just unscrew the back of the headlight, like a lid on a jar

[/quote]

I hope so as I really am an idiot with these things-how do you open the bonnet?

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:54 pm

[quote=""d8ean""]any pics?[/quote]

Should be getting the motor back on Friday so will take some.

I used Teddy's at SSDD on the E60 first and they are decent. Decided on the AE ones simply as they were so much brighter (but seriously more expensive).

They are very easy to fit as has been said above. Just twist the cover off the back and the standard bulb is located just there. Just twist the bulb and it will release.

535dboy · Post by **535dboy** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 5:46 pm

[quote=""Raj""]I have replaced mine with AE V3 LEDE bulbs and there are very bright and white (but expensive). Can get cheaper ones if you want. They are not difficult to replace but do flicker on start-up (but I don't mind as it only lasts a second or so and I quite like it....lol).[/quote]

Where did you get these?

I'm struggling with the SSDD ones.

Seems to be two LED bulbs that presumably I need to line up with something as the outer rings aren't really showing at all !

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 11:54 pm

[quote=""535dboy""][quote=""Raj""]I have replaced mine with AE V3 LEDE bulbs and there are very bright and white (but expensive). Can get cheaper ones if you want. They are not difficult to replace but do flicker on start-up (but I don't mind as it only lasts a second or so and I quite like it....lol).[/quote]

Where did you get these?

I'm struggling with the SSDD ones.

Seems to be two LED bulbs that presumably I need to line up with something as the outer rings aren't really showing at all ![/quote]

I bought mine direct from http://www.angelibright.com/. Was quick shipping.

You shouldn't have a problem with Teddy's though. The bulbs need to be properly in the holders but will light both rings equally. The led bulb should be right near the fibre optic ends of the rings.

535dboy · Post by **535dboy** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 6:40 am

I think that is part of the problem, getting them lined up

The ones I have been sent are two Led bulbs per unit on a springy item (technical right!?). It looks like that therefore should be a bulb that exactly lies at the end of fibre optic ends but they seem to miss. Does that make sense.

It seems to make it more difficult to work because it relies on them lining up correcntly

I've pm'd Jalf but his look like straight replacement bulbs http://www.piaaonline.co.uk/product/179 ... 11-Fitment which of course do not need to be lined up

Any other thoughts?

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