LED license plate light replacement!
Written by Jonathan on February 22, 2008 – 5:13 pm -The more Lexus’ I see driving around at night, the more jealous I am of their LED license plate lights. The LED’s definitely update the car’s dated, halogen look. Call me superficial, but it’s the little things in life that count, right? 
Lots of people have reported problems with eBay LED replacement bulbs, but many have had great success with these bulbs. I think the problem is that many LED bulbs are 12V, while these are 14.5V.
We were able to pick up a set of LED’s to replace the stock lighting on my B6 S4. If this modification interests you, two bulbs can be purchased from 42 Draft Designs. You’ll want the 14.5v 39mm "fuse style LED".
Tools for LED lighting replacement
- phillips screw drivers of different sizes
- WD-40
- 14.5v 39mm fuse style LEDs
The install is pretty straight forward, you will encounter the most difficulty removing the screws that retain the lighting hardware. Anyway’s, here’s everything you’ll need to get it done.
- First, remove your license plate; there are two to four screws holding it in. Trust me, it makes it much easier in the end.
- Next, take a small phillips screwdriver, apply force using one hand to seat the head of the screwdriver with the head of the screw then attempt to use your other hand to twist the screwdriver.
- If you have difficulty removing the screw, as did everybody before you, try to apply a little WD-40 to break the screw loose.
- Still no luck? I had success in tightening the screw, then trying to loosen it.
- After you remove the screw, the lighting hardware should just drop out.
- Once you have the light housing in your hand, remove the old bulb.
- Examine the LED replacements, if you look closely you will see there are solder points inside of the bulb. If you twist the bulb you will break these points…so DO NOT TWIST THE BULB ONCE YOU REPLACE IT.
- Notice that one side of the bulb has LEDs, and the other side has nothing. Make sure you insert the bulb to correctly illuminate your license plate.
- When you replace the existing bulb, you will need to bend the mounting tabs a little because the LED replacement is slightly larger. Don’t get too crazy, you only need to bend the tabs a little.
- The LED bulbs will only illuminate if installed in the proper direction, if the LEDs do not illuminate, rotate the bulb 180 degrees.
- Reassemble in reverse order.
- Bask in the glory that is LED!
The LEDs
Remove the screws.
The lighting hardware should just drop down.
Remove the bulb and replace with the LED bulb. DO NOT TWIST the bulb, you may damage the internal soldering points.
Out with the old, in with the new!
Tags: audi, b6, how to, led
Posted in Tutorials | 54 Comments »
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Cool. Just, how long do these last? I've read nothing but stories about lights flashing then dying after weeks. Resistors are needed, bulbs smoking, etc. How long have these LEDs lasted since installed?
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Cool. Just, how long do these last? I’ve read nothing but stories about lights flashing then dying after weeks. Resistors are needed, bulbs smoking, etc. How long have these LEDs lasted since installed?
February 24th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
That's a great idea! Thanks. I really like this blog.
February 24th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
That’s a great idea! Thanks. I really like this blog.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Do those same bulbs work for MkV GTI / R32?
February 25th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Do those same bulbs work for MkV GTI / R32?
February 25th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Rick:
There are no resistors on these bulbs, I have not had any flashing, flickering, smoking…I will report back in a few weeks.
Steve:
Thanks, we want to keep you all engaged! Send your friends
Derek:
Not sure about these specific ones, but check out http://www.42draftdesigns.com as they have LEDs specific to the Mk5.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I have these on my 08 R32…if being used on a MK5 VW you will need a load simulator unless you can live with your bulb out icon on all the time
February 25th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Rick:
There are no resistors on these bulbs, I have not had any flashing, flickering, smoking…I will report back in a few weeks.
Steve:
Thanks, we want to keep you all engaged! Send your friends
Derek:
Not sure about these specific ones, but check out http://www.42draftdesigns.com as they have LEDs specific to the Mk5.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I have these on my 08 R32…if being used on a MK5 VW you will need a load simulator unless you can live with your bulb out icon on all the time
February 26th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Nick:
Thanks for the reply!
February 26th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Nick:
Thanks for the reply!
February 26th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Nick:
Did you install a load simulator or did you just decided to live with the bulb out icon. I just ordered a set for my MK5.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Nick:
Did you install a load simulator or did you just decided to live with the bulb out icon. I just ordered a set for my MK5.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:28 am
I'm dumb, but I ordered these and they are too big for my B7 A4. I assumed they would fit. They don't. I also stripped one of the tiny screws, lol
February 28th, 2008 at 4:28 am
I’m dumb, but I ordered these and they are too big for my B7 A4. I assumed they would fit. They don’t. I also stripped one of the tiny screws, lol
February 29th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Installed on B7 S4. Replaced the right bulb first and wow such a nice asthetic improvement. Removed left OEM bulb and right LED begins to flicker or rather pulse. Installed left LED and both left and right LEDs flicker/pulse. Started car, no change they still pulse. Removed in same order. When OEM bulb was replaced in left socket the right LED stopped flickering. It appears there is not enough load across the circuit? Inspected both LEDs, both indicate they are the 14.5V type as ordered. bummer
Any suggestions? small resistor….?
February 29th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Installed on B7 S4. Replaced the right bulb first and wow such a nice asthetic improvement. Removed left OEM bulb and right LED begins to flicker or rather pulse. Installed left LED and both left and right LEDs flicker/pulse. Started car, no change they still pulse. Removed in same order. When OEM bulb was replaced in left socket the right LED stopped flickering. It appears there is not enough load across the circuit? Inspected both LEDs, both indicate they are the 14.5V type as ordered. bummer
Any suggestions? small resistor….?
March 1st, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I ordered these for my MK5 and I they are the right size, but you need to install a resistor to keep them lit. They draw so much less electricity that the car thinks the bulbs are out and shuts of power to the leds.
March 1st, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I ordered these for my MK5 and I they are the right size, but you need to install a resistor to keep them lit. They draw so much less electricity that the car thinks the bulbs are out and shuts of power to the leds.
March 5th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
This was one of the first mods I did to my R32 when I got it back in '06. Very happy with the result. Lights are whiter in person than they appear in the picture.
Click for photo
LED's tend to draw a negligible amount of power even when they are off, though though overall they require much less power than a normal bulb.
March 5th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
This was one of the first mods I did to my R32 when I got it back in ‘06. Very happy with the result. Lights are whiter in person than they appear in the picture.
Click for photo
LED’s tend to draw a negligible amount of power even when they are off, though though overall they require much less power than a normal bulb.
March 10th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Alright picked these up but they turn off after about 30 seconds. MkV R32. What am I missing to getting these wired?
March 10th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Alright picked these up but they turn off after about 30 seconds. MkV R32. What am I missing to getting these wired?
March 11th, 2008 at 2:21 am
Hi,
Do these led light work in a Audi A3 (2005 / 8P)?
Cheers,
db
March 11th, 2008 at 5:21 am
Hi,
Do these led light work in a Audi A3 (2005 / 8P)?
Cheers,
db
March 11th, 2008 at 9:45 am
QUESTION WILL THESE WORK ON THE AUDI TT 08?
March 11th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
QUESTION WILL THESE WORK ON THE AUDI TT 08?
March 25th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
[...] with the rear LED lit license plates, i decided to do a little bit of research and found this: LED license plate light replacement! | ACHTUNING — 425.895.0000 apparently, it’s the same size as the TT’s license plate lights, sooo i ordered a set from 42DD [...]
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:19 am
Didn’t work on Bob’s B7 S4, so I wonder if it will on my B7 A4? Anyone try it on one yet? Definitely don’t want the flickering… what can you do to fix that problem?
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:19 am
Didn't work on Bob's B7 S4, so I wonder if it will on my B7 A4? Anyone try it on one yet? Definitely don't want the flickering… what can you do to fix that problem?
April 5th, 2008 at 5:59 am
will these fit a B5 A4 (2000)?
April 5th, 2008 at 8:59 am
will these fit a B5 A4 (2000)?
April 15th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I have them in my B5 2001 A4 and love em. No issues and have had them for 3 months now.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I have them in my B5 2001 A4 and love em. No issues and have had them for 3 months now.
April 21st, 2008 at 8:17 am
Hi Guys,
I changed for these leds on my X5 (2003) since more than a year a not a problem to say.
I even read that led’s have a longer life than usual lights.
April 21st, 2008 at 11:17 am
Hi Guys,
I changed for these leds on my X5 (2003) since more than a year a not a problem to say.
I even read that led's have a longer life than usual lights.
April 21st, 2008 at 8:35 am
Hi again,
As i said before, no problem at all with these led’s, BUT :
-My board computer ask me at every start to check the lights plate because these leds are 10 watts and not 5 watts as the originally mounted.
-When i bought them they seems perfectetly pure cold white, but in fact when already mounted there is a soft blue spectre. It is not bad for me ’cause my car is silver but it can be unpleasant for red-green-yellow car’s owners.
April 21st, 2008 at 11:35 am
Hi again,
As i said before, no problem at all with these led's, BUT :
-My board computer ask me at every start to check the lights plate because these leds are 10 watts and not 5 watts as the originally mounted.
-When i bought them they seems perfectetly pure cold white, but in fact when already mounted there is a soft blue spectre. It is not bad for me 'cause my car is silver but it can be unpleasant for red-green-yellow car's owners.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
i just got some of these, but the screws on the left one are stripped. any suggestions on getting them off (I already tried WD-40)
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
i just got some of these, but the screws on the left one are stripped. any suggestions on getting them off (I already tried WD-40)
July 29th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Tim, I stripped my screw as well. I’m scared to take it off for fear that I won’t be able to put the light plastic peice back on with just one screw. Any part numbers for the screws or the housing?
July 29th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Tim, I stripped my screw as well. I'm scared to take it off for fear that I won't be able to put the light plastic peice back on with just one screw. Any part numbers for the screws or the housing?
August 6th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
If you stripped you screw go ahead and get it out. You can replace it with a different screw. Just take it to a hardware store and get on similar. I bought a slightly larger screw.
One thing I will mention is that I had a lot of trouble getting these to work. One would work and the other wouldn’t. I ended up taking out the entire assemble and making sure the brass contacts was touching the plate inside the housing. It took me a little longer but they are working correctly except for the bulb out warning in the instrument cluster. BTW, I have a 2005 B6 S4.
August 6th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
If you stripped you screw go ahead and get it out. You can replace it with a different screw. Just take it to a hardware store and get on similar. I bought a slightly larger screw.
One thing I will mention is that I had a lot of trouble getting these to work. One would work and the other wouldn't. I ended up taking out the entire assemble and making sure the brass contacts was touching the plate inside the housing. It took me a little longer but they are working correctly except for the bulb out warning in the instrument cluster. BTW, I have a 2005 B6 S4.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Hi Bob,
I have a B7 A4 3.2 and I would like to make this mod. Were you able to solve the flickering issue?
October 25th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I have had the LED license plate lights for over 6 months, one just started to flicked the place I bought them from is shipping a new for free. I swapped mine out to the stock ones for now and I miss the LED.
November 12th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
[...] of you may remember my post on LED license plate light replacements. Until recently, I haven’t had any issues with bulb out indicators on my B6 S4. I’d [...]
November 13th, 2008 at 12:33 am
Damn, I wanted these for my B7 A4, but hearing all the problems ill wait until I find something else.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Notice that one side of the bulb has LEDs, and the other side has nothing. Make sure you insert the bulb to correctly illuminate your license plate.
November 23rd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Great information. I wonder if this would also work to replace LED lights that you use on trees? Sure would be helpful, I think I'll give it a try.
November 26th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I'll think I'll hire someone out for this job. I don't even like to replace
Christmas Light bulbs.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
the only problem is u cant get both to work only one light stays on
December 15th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
did u ever get this fixed i have same problem