I would appreciate some advice on replacing the standard bulbs with LED. I've looked at the coding and w rates for the standard bulbs and tried to match up with the correct relevant LED bulbs but I am not sure what would fit. Has anyone done a swap for LED and if so could you point out the correct bulbs to buy? I'm keeping the night breaker headlights and hope to get the Rayne wireing up grade from Father Christmas. Any help would be brilliant.

The car is the one in the photo. Mk2f coupe

Edited 17 December, 201411 yr by c.w.pritchard

Only my sidelights in Mk2 round headlights. Using these with little lenses from ACE parts.

I'm 99% sure bulb 233 or T4W bayonet fit Mk2Facelift rectangular lights too.

I had tried some like this and they were crap. The light was not well diffused, and one came apart when being refitted.

The lenses version gives a better spread, but it's still a 2inch circle in centre of headlight glass rather than from the reflector.

Maybe the 9x SMD style would be better.

Edited 17 December, 201411 yr by dvderlm

As for headlight bulbs H4 style all looks rubbish - stick with your Night breakers

http://totalcarmagazine.com/tech/2014/01/02/what_good_are_cheapo_led_s/

Or silly money - not sure about the E13 certificate

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/80W-4500LM-H4-H-Lo-CREE-XT-E-LED-All-in-One-Headlight-Car-Lamp-5000K-6000K-8000K-/151518018

I've tried the domed LED lights and yes I had one that broke straight away. I want to try the SMD led as you said in your post but not sure if they would fit. More importantly I want to replace the bulbs in the tail lights to give a brighter rear end. I don't think the side lights are particularly bright on this model. I suppose the only way is to buy them and see. Not too expensive from ebay but it would be good to have someone else's experience to help.

These are the relevant numbers for my Mk2f coupe. Will research the equivalent SMD led.

H4

233. 4w

382. 21w

245. 10w

256. 10w

Looks like the H4 replacement is not worth changing based on the above video. Will try and find examples on ebay at a reasonable price particularly as I am running this car on a limited budget.

You don't want tail lights or rear fog light to be too bright or people cannot see your brake lights come on.

So you want to change to up the brightness, not to save money on fuel... which anyway I think would save far less than 0.25 mpg based on some DRL vs dim-dip figures I have seen.

Have you checked the battery voltage when engine running? I spent ten quid on a new HolgerChristiansen (Bosch group) Cargo branded alternator regulator and brush pack. That gave me 14 volts and bright lights again.

I just want to be seen in these days of ultra bright lights on more modern cars. I'm sure my little car gets lost in amongst the monster vehicles on the road today. I have changed the regulator on the car. The lights would flicker when at a standstill but now they are stable and brighter but still not strong enough for my liking. I will experiment with smd led lights.

high level brake light might be worth a think too

Good idea. I may try that. Thanks.

Took delivery of the first replacement bulbs

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330723073502?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

These are a set of number plate bulbs. Will fit soon.

Maybe the 9x SMD style would be better.

Why settle for 9, when you can have 13?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290633898618?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

These are what I've got, and I highly recommend. They're uncomfortably easy to damage trying to get them through the hole in the lens (I had to buy a second pair), but I'm pretty convinced they're the best option for the Mk2f if you're careful when fitting.

Pic for comparison with one of my old COBs:

Edited 27 December, 201411 yr by Vio

Looks good. I had a present from Santa of a Rayne wiring upgrade. I'll fit with my Nightbreakers and make a comparison with the old wiring loom.

Can I get a link for the alternator regulator??

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-BOSCH-1197311028-ALTERNATOR-VOLTAGE-REGULATOR-NEW-068903803-17202-101506-/291221247920?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43ce2397b0

Yes. That's the one I used. Works well and at a reasonable price.

Just completed the installation of the Rayne Auto wiring upgrade on my car. Was a simple process but spent some time on the routing of the near side cable. Took the front grill off and routed it under the bonnet release mechanism. Wanted it away from the top of the radiator. Cleaned the lenses on the outside with thinners and using my night breakers it made a huge difference. Will see how they are tonight. Also replaced the front side lights with smd led which again look impressive. Last job was the number plate lights which again were smd led which made a significant improvement.

I intend replacing the rear side lights with smd led and will see how it looks. Would thoroughly recommend the upgrade and bulb change.

Note. The number plate lights will need to be in the correct alignment. Put them in and they didn't work. Reversed them and they worked perfectly.

Edited 5 January, 201511 yr by c.w.pritchard

Brilliant lights. Can see for miles.

Replaced all standard bulbs with Led smd. Gives brighter light and can be seen far better.

Tried to up load photo but failed. Couldn't replace the rear indicator bulbs. Worked ok when on hazards but when used as indicators it flashed at a higher rate as if a bulb was out.

Edited 28 January, 201511 yr by c.w.pritchard

Couldn't replace the rear indicator bulbs. Worked ok when on hazards but when used as indicators it flashed at a higher rate as if a bulb was out.

I'm getting this problem as well with my front indicator LEDs. Found a fix as yet? Possibly something to do with Canbus bulbs?

If you fit LED's into the indicators, you need to fit a resistor into the wiring otherwise the very low current used by the LED's will cause the flasher unit to flash at a stupid/illegal speed

Ok. Any tips on how to do it. It worked when the hazards were put on.

Hello

Just jumping on this topic.

c.w.pritchard - have you replaced your tail and brake lights as well as your indicators? Which bulbs did you use?

Also re: the fast flasing indicators. It's to do with the load on the relay.

AFAIK to save splicing in resistors, you can change the relay?

I've seen this on a US site

https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/flashers-load-resistors/

Edited 21 February, 201511 yr by schneil

Replaced them all apart from the front and rear indicators. Bulbs were very reasonable. Didn't change the headlight bulbs. Using Nightbreakers on a Rayne replacement loom.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-P21W-382-1156-BA15s-5050-LED-13-SMD-Tail-Brake-Car-Bulbs-Xenon-6000k-White-/161408921345?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2594b8af01

Bulb 382 is the main one. The company ABD.co.uk give an idea of the bulb you need.

Any idea where we could get the relay in the UK?

Edited 21 February, 201511 yr by c.w.pritchard

So to double check, you used white bulbs for brakes, tail lights, fogs and reverse?

Do they light up OK? In that all the ligt is fully lit and the colour is OK?

Are they brighter than standard or about the same?

Edited 21 February, 201511 yr by schneil

I think they are brighter. Yes replaced all except indicators. Try a set on the rear side lights. Pretty cheap. Compare bulbs with led.