Flashing led number plate lights

[crofty136]

when i unlock my car the rear number plate lights (which i have just changed to LEDs) flash on and off constantly, if i turn the lights on they work normally, and as soon as i lock the car they go off, only just noticed it cos its dark

is there a solution, i really like them so don't want to take them off!

Richard

[mab01uk]

Many people have complained of similar with LED sidelight bulbs glowing even when the ignition is switched off. I believe this is because they draw very little power but think resistors can be fitted to prevent this but most seem to live with it.
I have Halo front sidelights fitted with Prism LED bulbs with no flicker or flashing though..........

[crofty136]

I might try fitting a resistor to see if this helps, any idea what size resistor i would be best using?

thanks

[mab01uk]

Not had to try this myself yet but this thread see rkw-post #5 suggested 1k ohm. (Link below):

Quote:-
"There is sometimes a small amount of current running through the MINI electrical system that is not enough to light a regular bulb, but enough for an LED. You can Install a 1K ohm resistor in parallel with the LEDs (between the positive/negative wires). This provides an extra electrical path that, during low level power, prevents the LED from getting enough power to light up."
http://www.mini2.com/forum/exterior/...idelights.html

[crofty136]

Many thanks, it works perfectly now, i fit a 1k resistor (15p each from maplins) in with the bulb and it has stopped the flashing

[mab01uk]

Glad it worked !..............I think i'll try this myself as I like the look of the LED numberplate lights fitted on the latest BMW's.

[crofty136]

I've taken a picture of mine to give people an idea how it looks, hard to do it justice with my cheap camera, but here it is



basically they are about as bright as the old ones but the light is pure white, no blue tinge at all which is good and the spread of light is a lot more even than this pic shows

here are the bulbs i used, he posted them quick and i even got a free air freshener! I'd recommend them but i'd also add the resistors, i just looped the ends and slotted them onto the terminals before i fitted the bulb

[t400]

I once had led bulb sidelights and suffered from "the twinkling" after id parked up.

I tried to find a pattern to when it did it.......

It is to do with residual current but...

TRY THIS

• Car off,
• lights flicker a bit
• eventually stop

Get another set of keys, NOT FOR A MINI

click unlock on the fob,

This starts the lights flickering again.

Im guessing the remote unlock reciever is obvioulsly always on, and when it recieves a signal, It wakes it up a bit to check if the unlock signal is valid, or not.
Errm non technically speaking

TRY IT

[scholey]

Quote: Originally Posted by crofty136 (original)

I've taken a picture of mine to give people an idea how it looks, hard to do it justice with my cheap camera, but here it is



basically they are about as bright as the old ones but the light is pure white, no blue tinge at all which is good and the spread of light is a lot more even than this pic shows

here are the bulbs i used, he posted them quick and i even got a free air freshener! I'd recommend them but i'd also add the resistors, i just looped the ends and slotted them onto the terminals before i fitted the bulb

Hi pal, bran new to mini2! but have got the same problem just got the car back from having a new general module fitted because one of my headlights was out

Now the locking system is different and my LED sidelights and reg plate bulbs stay on when the car is locked, just wondering does fitting the resistor stop them coming on from when the car is locked?

And also does it defiently stop the flashing as i was quite shocked when i first saw it! Sorry if this last question sounds stupid but where do you connect the resistor to? each terminal from where the bulb sits inside?

Information would be great mate, thanks Scholey