The last time this subject was brought up, i used a pair of LED MagLite flashlight replacement bulbs. Not the best results as i imagined, so i didnt make a write-up.
But heres an update.
What You Need.
$15LED Bulb #3157. Any color of your choice, any LED style of your choice. I prefer to use all forward directional LEDs since i want them all to aim directly into the CELIS unit. (I have OEM 01+ Hella headlights)
Also keep note that when picking your LED bulbs, get the ones that are the most simple because you dont have much room to work with. The ones i picked has a circular circuit board with LEDs and resonators all on one board. The stacked LED style might not fit/work.
Step 1.
Remove your OEM halogen bulb socket.
Then try and break the plastic weld holding the reflector to the bulb socket. (I found using a small flathead screwdriver is a good choice)
Step 2.
Now, take your #3157 LED Bulb, and carefully remove the led unit out of the housing.
After doing so, joint the connectors + with + and - with - so you will have a cleaner install. Keep in mind that you would have to bend the terminals so it can fit though the reflector.
Solder wires of your choice to each terminal, then pass wires though reflector. (At this point, you can make a small pigtail to your AE power source if you like)
(Installed wiring not pictured)
Step 3.
Test with a 12v source to see if everything is working fine and all the connections are touching where they should, and not where they shouldn't.
Then use a small dab of clear silicone under the led circuit board to the reflector. That should be good enough to keep it in place and water out, i also added some silicone through the rear of the reflector to add a another water barrier just to be safe.
Step 4.
Enjoy, and recheck to make sure everything is good.
I was pretty impress with the end results, and how easy this was to do. Not sure if its as bright as the other LED AE bulb replacements, but its bright enough for me.
P.S. I used red as an example beacause thats the only color i had access too (and it was free!), i plan on buying some all white or light blue LED bulbs and use it for my final piece. Might even source some unwanted AE sockets and make some in other colors w/ pigtails so i can switch up when i feel like it.
Feel free to add tips/ideas.
Thanks
-Q
Last edited by XCELMotorsports; 10-13-2008 at 03:41 AM.
The most fun you can have with your clothes on.
Creative to say the least. Id like to see better pics on the car when youre done. I actually like the look of the stock angel eyes. Great job though!
You comment made me do this just to see how it would turn out.
(Its more solid and amber then how it looks)
LED Amber bulbs, i was using these for my turn signals (same bulb design).
Heres a pic for people that is thinking of going LED for their turn signal, all i can say is. BRIGHT!
Sorry for all the crappy webcam pics and the ghetto objects used to prop the lights. =]
The most fun you can have with your clothes on.
+1
Napkins are classy.
Did you ever get a bulb warning for the LED turns?
got any more (better ) pics?
Congrats on the ingenuity..
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
- 2000 528i Sport -
Got any questions about my car? Feel free to PM me!
Interesting...
I wonder how the lumen output is compared to the "competitors?"
If you really think about it you can get a VERY powerful LED for not much and can rig something up just like this. With the others you get a nicer packaged product and their R&D but the basic premise is the same: a bright LED replacement for AE bulbs.
Also if I'm not mistaken the 3156 might be a better choice as it is single filament vs the 3157's dual filament. No big difference but it is probably why there are multiple positive and negative posts.
Good job I will probably be trying this out soon...
Last edited by PutterMcGavin; 10-13-2008 at 09:16 AM.
Current Bimmer: '89 E30 DD, '89 E30 ProjectFormer Bimmers: '09 E9 M3, '99 E39 540i, Dinan Stg. V | Dinan CAI, Dinan MAF, Dinan TB, Dinan S/W, Pre-VANOS "Dinan" intake manifold, Magnaflow exhaust, res. delete, M3 SSK| M5 3.15 LSD, Koni FSD w/Eibach Pro Kit, Eibach Sway bars, Powerflex bushings, Rogue tranny mounts, 18x9 ASA AR1's, 275 General Ex UHP's at each corner | M5 Brake system, Stoptech SS Lines, Axxis ULTs F&R, Stoptech Slotted rotors, ATE Super Blue...
Actually I sourced some really bright leds and some really cool HID bulb sizes. I actually have an HID bulb that fits in the angel eye socket. We tried it out and its EXTREMELY bright. Give the celis AE's a CCFL look. Stil testing and need to find a way to hold the bulb in place.
XCEL is on the right track. He is just limited to the LEDS he can find locally and online. The "boxed bulb products" are nothing special. For starters, the VERY popular ones can have their bulbs sourced right out of the radio shack catalog. Happy hunting.
Another FP5241 Creation
Parting out M54 Engine. Intake and all. Cats avail as well. PM ME!
I love people like him. Willing to sacrifice his own car, so that we may benefit.
Kudos mi amigo.
Great job.
Good job. DIY options such as this can only help the e39 community.
Bulb warning is unknown right now. These lights are not hooked up to the car atm, waiting on my bumpers to get painted. But maintenance is first on the list and i need tune up soon. So that will have to wait.
Im pretty sure theres TONS of LEDs out there that are brighter, would be even cool if someone used a color morphing LED unit and be able to change colors by a turn of a knob. I just did this way because its the simplest way possible, since everything is already set up for a 12v power source.
I have to say, i feel kinda bad for doing this DIY, when rumor is EuroDyne will be releasing their LED AE bulbs soon, and it will be harsh on their buisness if everyone starts doing this. Sorry ED for being cheap! haha
The most fun you can have with your clothes on.
I just bought an AE LED kit from eBay for $50, lets see how it turns out.
'02 E39 530i/5sp Topaz Blue/Black Interior - MegaSquirt3x - Garrett GTX3582R turbo - E85 fuel - Apex FL-5 - 265/295 tires - Custom Porsche Brembo BBK - 600whp @ 22 PSI
'15 E84 X1 35i M Sport Alpine White/Coral Red Interior - H&R Sports & Bilstein B6 - Velgen VMB5 - 265/305 tires - ETS FMIC - MPI Charge pipe & DME Flash - 3.5" down pipe
I think in acouple of months, going that route is smarter, since i have been noticing alot of E39 parts on ebay are dropping more then 20% in price.
The most fun you can have with your clothes on.
Wonderful DIY!!! Ingenuity at it's best!!!!
Nice!!
"If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough. - Mario Andretti"
The white LEDs came in!
The most fun you can have with your clothes on.
WOW! ^^^^^
Awesome!
Looking for an E39 belly pan , passenger front inner fender liner …
better pics please...
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
- 2000 528i Sport -
Got any questions about my car? Feel free to PM me!
Yes proper pics in all lighting conditions please..
Another FP5241 Creation
Parting out M54 Engine. Intake and all. Cats avail as well. PM ME!
where can you pick a pair of LED's up like that?
EBAY, got them for 7bucks. Or any local ricer shop.
I will try to get better pics soon.
The most fun you can have with your clothes on.
looks great .. i need to follow what you did .. btw, you can do parking light delete .. hella has a wiring kit for the AE rings that allows the AE rings to come on with the parking lots but the parking lights stays off .. lik this below picture of yours .. it only turns on when you turn on the blinkers ..
1998 540IA Arctic Silver, OEM M-Tech Bumpers, Koni FSD/Eibach Pro Kit, MKII Motorsport 18x8.5 and 18x10, M5 Style Mirrors, ACS Style Trunk and Roof Spoiler, OEM Hella Xenon Headlights 4300k blubs, Slim HID 3K Projector Fogs, Euro Hella Celis Taillights, OEM M5 Kidney Grill, 35% tint, magnaflow 18415
Yeah, i figured out the wireing to make my fogs and AE stay on, and the blinker only when your turning.
The most fun you can have with your clothes on.
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