A few weeks ago I asked the question whether anybody had got their Elegance DRLs to work with canbus LEDs as I had had no success. It crossed my mind that maybe the polarity in the bulb holders might be reversed as it would make no difference to incandescant bulbs. Tonight I got a meter on them and they are indeed reversed. The negative contact is the centre one on the base and the sleeve that holds the pins positive. I don't understand how this can have been wired like this but it does explain why I can't get LEDs to work. Has anybody else had cause to check the polarity of the bulb holders? The plug that fits into the back of the holder is shaped to only fit one way and the two wires feeding it are of different thickness and colour so it has been wired into the loom incorrectly. It's not really a warranty job as it doesn't affect normal operation but if I cut and rejoin them I suppose it might be something that would give the garage something to use as an excuse if I have an electrical problem? However ridiculous that would be.

1156 382 BA15S P21W 20 SMD LED Bulb White Tail Light

Got a couple of these on order off E-Bay, it states they are not polarity sensitive, let you know if they work , although they sound to go to be true for the price.

Sorry couldn't resist

A few weeks ago I asked the question whether anybody had got their Elegance DRLs to work with canbus LEDs as I had had no success. It crossed my mind that maybe the polarity in the bulb holders might be reversed as it would make no difference to incandescant bulbs. Tonight I got a meter on them and they are indeed reversed. The negative contact is the centre one on the base and the sleeve that holds the pins positive. I don't understand how this can have been wired like this but it does explain why I can't get LEDs to work. Has anybody else had cause to check the polarity of the bulb holders? The plug that fits into the back of the holder is shaped to only fit one way and the two wires feeding it are of different thickness and colour so it has been wired into the loom incorrectly. It's not really a warranty job as it doesn't affect normal operation but if I cut and rejoin them I suppose it might be something that would give the garage something to use as an excuse if I have an electrical problem? However ridiculous that would be.

hi i had issue with one type bulb but purchased one from hq lights and mine work fine

hi i had issue with one type bulb but purchased one from hq lights and mine work fine

I have a pair identical to those you fitted but they won't work in mine. I am undecided as to whether to give up on the idea or cut and rejoin the cables as I wouldn't fancy tracing the cabling back to the main loom.

i was chatting to a fellow brisky member (superb owner) he has thehttp://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/skodasebon121/SAM_3891.jpg[/imgerror free drls bulbs leds from HQ lighting as a lot of us with the non vrs have fitted, however he has removed his as he has been informed they kill the resistors and melt the holder mine have been fine but anyone had problems?

I had given up and ordered some of the blue glass bulbs that I covered in a post a while ago but figuring they only last about 6 months I bought 3 pairs to make the postage worthwhile. 3 of them burnt out with the inside of the bulb black and one overheated, mpartially melting the bulb holder. They refunded me and apologised so I ordered a pair of 27 LED error free P21Ws. I checked my bulb holders again with a meter confirming the polarity was reversed and went in with the snips. I swapped one around and reconnected with butt joint connectors and heat shrink. This cured the problem for both sides as it now completed a circuit flowing in the right direction. I suppose one connected correctly and one not wouldn't affect incandescent bulbs. Problem solved and they look excellent!

I had given up and ordered some of the blue glass bulbs that I covered in a post a while ago but figuring they only last about 6 months I bought 3 pairs to make the postage worthwhile. 3 of them burnt out with the inside of the bulb black and one overheated, mpartially melting the bulb holder. They refunded me and apologised so I ordered a pair of 27 LED error free P21Ws. I checked my bulb holders again with a meter confirming the polarity was reversed and went in with the snips. I swapped one around and reconnected with butt joint connectors and heat shrink. This cured the problem for both sides as it now completed a circuit flowing in the right direction. I suppose one connected correctly and one not wouldn't affect incandescent bulbs. Problem solved and they look excellent!

Good job, glad you found the solution.

Can you post some piccys.

Good job, glad you found the solution.

Can you post some piccys.

As requested

I like them alot. Well done, they look very good.

As requested

Fatbloke I have the same ones as you mine are working fine should I change the polarity ? I've had no issues though have not checked the holders though, may check tomorrow

They look good! No heat issues with these?

Fatbloke I have the same ones as you mine are working fine should I change the polarity ? I've had no issues though have not checked the holders though, may check tomorrow

If they work then the polarity in the connectors must be fine. I suspect mine was assembled incorrectly during manufacture.

With regards to heat, they seem OK. The longest they have been on is about an hour at a time so far and I've had a feel around (without actually removing them) and couldn't detect any heat at all. (unlike with normal bulbs) I do intend to have a closer check as I don't know whether they just have a built in ballast resistor (they can run extremely hot) or they have a smarter way of fooling the canbus

looks good really bright compared to the standard bulbs

Update on heat from the leds: Removed one for inspection after it had run for about 2 hours. No heat at all in the holder and warm to hot actually on the LED surfaces but nothing like a normal incandescent bulb

Thanks for that FB.

It's these ones I'm assuming? http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/canbus-382-p21w-27-white-smd-led-error-free-bulbs-p-563.html

Thanks for that FB.

It's these ones I'm assuming? http://www.hids-dire...ulbs-p-563.html

Yes

Just dragging this back up again, do you need to remove the front bumper to change these bulbs?

Or can you get the light unit out without having to take it off?

Cheers in advance.

Callum

Just dragging this back up again, do you need to remove the front bumper to change these bulbs?

Or can you get the light unit out without having to take it off?

Cheers in advance.

Callum

The grill has a removable section on each end (Elegance DRLs or ambiente/S models with the lights fitted as an option) this is removed to gain access to the rear of the lamp. The combined Fog/DRL unit has a tab that you press to release it and it just pulls out. No tools, 2 minutes of a job.

The grill has a removable section on each end (Elegance DRLs or ambiente/S models with the lights fitted as an option) this is removed to gain access to the rear of the lamp. The combined Fog/DRL unit has a tab that you press to release it and it just pulls out. No tools, 2 minutes of a job.

Brilliant, thanks for the help.

Callum

Loads of detail, LED bulb options and fitting advice on the Superb forum, as the DRL's are very similar to those on the non-vRS Fabia...

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/202294-drls-again/