Daytime driving lights

[mikae31]

Ok. I know that there has been a lot of discussion about this matter here and believe me i have been using search and have read about this.

I would like to know is the heat really a problem or not when using a 21w filament in the parking lights. Someone says it is and someone says that has used it for years with no issues caused by heat? And to be clear i don't mean using bridged 21/5w bulb wich would be 26w, just the 21w filament.

Also i know someone uses the ftp high beam as a drl. Doesn't this interfere the oncoming traffic? I know that those can be adjusted downwards but still they dazzle from side because the light pattern isn't limited anyway and the bright bulb itself is visible.

Also, has anyone else noticed that the 21w bulb in the parking light is also quite dazzling when you look the car about 10m away from front.

[PlumToe]

Have had no problem whatsoever with the bridged 26w bulb. Retrofitted last year and checked recently for signs of heat, especially given the Sacramento Valley temps - nothing. I also tied my FTP's to the DLRs thinking I could use those for night driving w/o the pop-ups. While I like the look, They're not quite bright enough (and I'm running 60W bulbs) so I pointed them somewhat downward to provide add'l ground lighting in addition to the fogs. Works well, no blinding. I will point out, however, that I current have a fog light MID error, likely due to bulb resistance. I live with it.

[mikae31]

Have had no problem whatsoever with the bridged 26w bulb. Retrofitted last year and checked recently for signs of heat, especially given the Sacramento Valley temps - nothing. I also tied my FTP's to the DLRs thinking I could use those for night driving w/o the pop-ups. While I like the look, They're not quite bright enough (and I'm running 60W bulbs) so I pointed them somewhat downward to provide add'l ground lighting in addition to the fogs. Works well, no blinding. I will point out, however, that I current have a fog light MID error, likely due to bulb resistance. I live with it.

Have you experienced oncoming people flashing because of the bright 26w bulb?

[radlaw]

Please refer to:http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...highlight=DRLs

[mikae31]

Please refer to:http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...highlight=DRLs

I have read that. Have you had any heat issues?

[Dr. T]

Ok. I know that there has been a lot of discussion about this matter here and believe me i have been using search and have read about this.

I would like to know is the heat really a problem or not when using a 21w filament in the parking lights. Someone says it is and someone says that has used it for years with no issues caused by heat? And to be clear i don't mean using bridged 21/5w bulb wich would be 26w, just the 21w filament.

Also i know someone uses the ftp high beam as a drl. Doesn't this interfere the oncoming traffic? I know that those can be adjusted downwards but still they dazzle from side because the light pattern isn't limited anyway and the bright bulb itself is visible.

Also, has anyone else noticed that the 21w bulb in the parking light is also quite dazzling when you look the car about 10m away from front.

Yes. Although I didn't see it initially (1-2years), if you wait long enough....after about 4-5 years, the threaded socket portion will crack open/crumble/pieces break off as soon as you remove the bulb. I guess it's the repeated heat cycles that cause the plastic to go brittle.


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[PlumToe]

No. The 26W is not bright to oncoming traffic. Neither is the 60W at the right angle.

[XAlt]

BMW used to just wire low beams to the ignition switch on the E36, instant DRL.

[Wuffer]

Although I didn't see it initially (1-2years), if you wait long enough....after about 4-5 years, the threaded socket portion will crack open/crumble/pieces break off as soon as you remove the bulb. I guess it's the repeated heat cycles that cause the plastic to go brittle.

I agree with Dr T. Canadian E31s were equipped with DRLs and every one I see has the issues noted bt Dr T. These FTP plastic housings werer never designed for the hot 21W bulbs and its always only the parking light socket that cracks and crumbles. I resolved the issue on my personal car but switching to LED bulbs.
Replacing the FTP assembly is becoming very costly.

[mikae31]

Ok. What about the ftp's? Do they suffer damage if you use them all the time? Since they are designed to be on only short periods of time.

[radlaw]

I have read that. Have you had any heat issues?

Absolutely none at all.

[mikae31]

Absolutely none at all.

Interesting. It's been nearly four years from your modification and still nothing. Have you checked the ftp housings condition recently? Do you drive a lot?

[Wuffer]

Absolutely none at all.

Yet.... 8-)

[radlaw]

Have you checked the ftp housings condition recently? Do you drive a lot?

No & no.

[mikae31]

No & no.

That might be the reason why your housings are still in good shape.

[peake]

Use a LED version of the 5/21 W bulb and avoid heat problems.

[mikae31]

Use a LED version of the 5/21 W bulb and avoid heat problems.

That's possible. Can someone link what would be the correct type of led bulb and what kind of ptc resistor is reguired to make it work without obc error.

[Timm]

I've been running LED sidelights for a couple of years, white and very bright - but you need to add a PTC as explained here:

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/BMW_E31...in_the_FTP.htm

[tangcla]

I've been running LED sidelights for a couple of years, white and very bright - but you need to add a PTC as explained here:

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/BMW_E31...in_the_FTP.htm

I second Timm (and actually used his guide to do the PTC mod - thank you again for your site!)

Makes a huge difference and it really modernises the car.

[mikae31]

Those bay15d led bulbs are illegal here. I really wouldn't like to put anything in my car wich would cause problems in vehicle inspection or with highway police.

[M6ermike]

I replaced the standard parking light bulbs with LEDs (WeissLicht Spectrum 1157) from BavAuto. Gives me a bright day-time running light with no heat problem. Did not use a PTC -- the OBC gives me a "Parking Light Failure" message when I turn the lights on, but the check button eliminates the message. Have been running these about 3 years with no problem.

[mikae31]

Well, i went ahead and ordered led bulbs. Now i'm finding hard to find a correct type of ptc resistor from where i live. Can Timm post a link from where i could order the correct type of ptc to make it work without error messages.

[Timm]

Farnell sells into Finland:

http://fi.farnell.com/littelfuse/121...0ma/dp/1596997

[mikae31]

Thanks Timm!

And just to be sure. Is that the correct value ptc resistor that you linked? I'm asking because i didn't find its resistance value.

Thanks again.

[Timm]

Yes, 1210L020WR