For a long time one of the few things I've not liked about my VRS was the horrendous yellow sidelights - a month or so ago I decided to sort it out (having just replaced the main beams) and bought some 'blue' 501 bulbs from local halfords.

Unfortunately these were VERY blue - as in guaranteed to get pulled blue, so I took them out straight away. However, when I say 'blue' I have to admit they were actually pretty green.

Does this mean the yellow could actually be coming from a filter, or reflection from the indicator bulb, etc. I've searched as best I can accessing the forums from my iPhone, but can't find pictures or a success story involving per FL and straight forward bulbs - most people seem to war the LEDs and I'm not too fussed about the expense and CanBus issues there......

Hopefully changing the car at the end of the month anyway, but it will be for a late 09 (possibly LE) so will have the same issue and would like to sort it on the new car straight away.....

I've tried lots of bulbs in many cars and I find the best setup is an hid kit for your H7 and led for the sides. Phillips make really good led bulbs that are whiteish with a hint of blue to match hids. But they are very expensive

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/W5W-501-Philips-BlueVision-Blue-Vision-6000k-LED-Sidelights-Interior-Bulbs-/330657538425?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4cfcb9a179#ht_1695wt_968

I used to have a set of Philips "blue" side lights in my Octy - they in fact shone very white but never had a problem in they being blue when off.

Think I'll go in search of the Philips filament bulbs (if cant find then will eBay them). £25 isn't an excessive amount for the LEDs, but I'm

Not that fussed and want to avoid any issues related to CanBus trickery.

The main hung seems to be that it can actually be done, which was a concern when the 'blue' lights shone green......

Thanks all

I have been very lucky it seems, been running a set of LED sidelights in my vRS for well over a year without any problems. Absolutely perfect match to the 5000k HIDS imo.........

Comparison to the OE sidelights.

They are ones I got off hauptmann a while back, I thought you got the same ones? I have some in swmbo's golf which I got from HID's direct iirc, they have been fine also, although not quite as 'white' as the ones in the vRS.

Exactly which LED sidelights are you using? Would love to get some that work properly!

Cheers

Mike

They are Ebay item #120733598571

sorry I don't know how to post a link!!!!

These bulbs are the same ones Haupmann was flogging, they are brilliant,last ages and are error free.

Whilst on topic of lights anyone seen these https://www.dectane.de/product_info.php?info=p50062_dayline-headlights-skoda-octavia-il-04-09---drl-optic--black.html&XTCsid=71ac00ee6518871dce227bf2ecd470ba. Come in black and clear but who's knows if they are any good or more to the point look any good??

Ive got these in my FL octy (and my Qashqai) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-ERROR-FREE-CANBUS-W5W-T10-501-LED-SIDE-LIGHT-BULB-8-SMD-/280853560226?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item41642d3ba2

same as the ones k.young has suggested but only £2 delivered

They are more tinted to the blue side but are pretty darn good, the only issue youll have with these (and im amazed no one has commented) is that the PCB is too wide (not thick) to go into the Hella bulbholders!

easily fixed mine with a fine file and simply filed away each side of the circuit board until they fitted - 2 minutes extra work!

Ive had mine fitted for a month now without issue and use them every day!

....oh and no canbus issues either and lets face it, if they last a year for that money you can get another set!

Hope these are clear enough.....

I don't have xenons, but decided to try LED sidelights, but next to regular headlights (even Nightbreakers) they looked very blue. The Phillips 'blue' vision, even though they say they are blue, are a perfect white match for Nightbreakers/Philips XTreme.

Thanks for that.

To post the link, just open the ebay page for the item, and copy and paste the URL in the search bar into the forum.

Mike

Cheers Mike, but that sounds like instructions to hang wallpaper !!!!!

They are ones I got off hauptmann a while back, I thought you got the same ones? I have some in swmbo's golf which I got from HID's direct iirc, they have been fine also, although not quite as 'white' as the ones in the vRS.

I have the same, turn off cold diagnostics, then they will not flash when you turn on ignition

They are Ebay item #120733598571

sorry I don't know how to post a link!!!!

These bulbs are the same ones Haupmann was flogging, they are brilliant,last ages and are error free.

Hauptmann type eBay LEDs

That's exactly why I can't be arsed bothering with LEDs

Let me know if your new set work though and I might have a go.....

OK thought I'd try again with LED's, so bought 2 packs from this link. They have arrived today -- and guess what -- as soon as the ignition is switched on, the lights go out, the bulb failure light comes on, and the maxidot says failure of both left and right front sidelights.

Have spoken to argo city (seller) and they are sending me some 5 SMD units which may work. Wil keep you posted.

In the meantime, don't buy any from this link for your Octavia.

Mike

Yeah, i'd be interested if the new ones work as I've got a pre-fl as well and the yellow lights DO look a bit naff!

Guys - this has been done to death!

LED's are a proper PITA because they require a nice clean constant current / voltage to work reliably. In addition most of the LED W5 / 501 packages on the market do not utilise the reflector because of their limted viewing angle and therefore you are reliant on direct light without reflection. This results in worse visibility for other road users, especially to the side of the vehicle which is not very clever.

I have tried a number of solutions including the SMD ones on the PreFL and they were rubbish - each and every one either caused an immediate error on the canbus, blew up after a while, looked crap or simply didn't perform as good as a plain old filament bulb. The only solution I would currently recommend is the ones that come with the Philips bulb kits - they are whiter than normal - not LED white but whiter than standard.

Until somebody designs a soltuion that contains the necessary voltage rectification and is in a 360 degree package, LED siglights will remain essentially unworkable.

Thankfully I now have a FL VRS with DRL's so the issue (for me at least) has gone away. )smug mode-on(

I have had no problems with the Argo City ones. I drive between 8,000 and 10,000kms a month and the side lights are on all the time. No errors and I think I got about 9 months before the first one needed to be replaced.

Each to their own I suppose.

OK thought I'd try again with LED's, so bought 2 packs from this link. They have arrived today -- and guess what -- as soon as the ignition is switched on, the lights go out, the bulb failure light comes on, and the maxidot says failure of both left and right front sidelights.

Have spoken to argo city (seller) and they are sending me some 5 SMD units which may work. Wil keep you posted.

In the meantime, don't buy any from this link for your Octavia.

Mike

Mike, I have what appears to be the same LED's (see my link above) and mine work perfectly and without bulb failure warning; Im not sure of your understanding of the LED's but you are aware that they are polarity sensitive? i.e. you did put the LED circuit in the holder in both orientations?

Ive looked at your link again and can only see a difference in the resistor and diode values?

Edited 22 May, 201214 yr by o_ptic

I don´t get it, my led sidelights, all of the car actually, are almost 2 years old.

Only one plate light went as the soldering came apart.

Yeah, I know. The only point in my replying was not to start bitching at how my new LED's aren't working, it was to try to advise our colleagues not to part with their cash on something that isn't going to work at all! I've had a few different types now, and there have been ones that worked -- for a time. These ones in this latest link just don't work full stop.

Mike

So you're sticking with the Philips bluevision you posted from ebay earlier, yeah? Are they a noticable difference closer to the HID lights or not really worth the effort?

The seller is sending me some different ones, apparently 5SMD units that as brighter than those in the ebay listing. Will try them, but if I get no joy, then the Philips BlueVision filament bulbs will be staying in.

The BlueVision bulbs are very noticably much whiter than standard bulbs and match the HIDs much better, and I certainly would recommend them if the LEDs don't work.

Mike

To be honest, because of the context of Wardth's post, I'd be more likely to just stick to regular bulbs. Looks like the bluevision may be the way to go then.

Well, just received the 5 SMD version of the LED bulbs, and so far so good. No errors on either of the Octavias, and the lights are so white they match the HID's perfectly

Wil try to get some photos up

Mike

EDIT Photos added

I hope this is it

Well, just received the 5 SMD version of the LED bulbs, and so far so good. No errors on either of the Octavias, and the lights are so white they match the HID's perfectly

Wil try to get some photos up

Mike

EDIT Photos added

That DOES look pretty swish!

We bought some multi-SMD LED replacements for the missus' Peugeot as the standard-fit sidelight bulbs were doing a fair impression of tealights, and they work a treat - no CANBUS-style errors or problems so far.

Sourced via Ebay: http://bit.ly/LutxHf

(and no, I'm not the seller, or associated with them either)

The fact that they have 13 diodes on them does mean that you get a good spread of light rather than just the pinpoint, head-on illumination which can be a problem with other LED replacements.

That said, I've just ordered a pair of the Philips Blue Vision filament type after reading positive comments on here.

They'll be paired with Osram Nightbreaker Plus headlight bulbs so it'll be interesting to see how they balance up colour-wise.