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Old 22nd August 2012, 08:09 PM
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M-A8 M-A8 is offline
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Question Interior Lighting / LEDs

Hi guys
I haven't seen anyone attempting this sort of 'upgrade', but I'm sure somewhere there deep inside you all agree that interior lighting in D3s is very very outdated and very sad, that yellow light was just driving me crazy for years.

When I started my research long time ago I came across many opinions:
1) you will get an error on the dashboard as soon you replace a standard 501 bulb with led because of complicated CAN-BUS wiring.
2) it will require a lot of soldering (resistors) or playing with electrics if you want to use ready resistors and crimps.
3) putting LEDs is very chavy, boy racer style and it looks silly.

Last week I've done some additional research about error free LEDs, made purchase (2 lots of 2 different types of leds, 40 in total) and I went for it last night to check it for my self as now of the above really make sense.

Final verdict: 1) NO, 2) NO and 3) I hope not

Bulb error on the dashboard? no way, how comes? I unplugged one of the existing bulbs and......nothing, obvioulsy !!!! CAN-BUS is a complicated wiring but mainly on the outside lighting side.
The problem you will come across with interior lighting is that some of the lights will flickers (1 or 2) and 2 of them wont come on at all, that's when you replace all the bulbs and only if you go with this type of LEDs:


BUT, if you use one of them all way round then all issues with previous LEDs are gone completely:


Everyone who sells them likes to call them Error free LED, b*****t. They all comes with errors when used on exterior lighting and to stop this you will have to plug in a proper build quality 10w resistor for example when you are replacing sidelight.
As there is no warning lights or errors on the dashboard for interior lighting the whole job becomes straight forward as long you use the second type thanks to extra built-in resistors which stops them from flickering or not coming on.

It's simple as that, unplug the old, plug in the new one (2nd type).
Cost: £16.00
LEDs required: 16
Type: 501 type (all of them)

4x Front dome and map
4x Rear dome and map
4x Doors courtesy lights
3x Boot
1x Glovebox

Footwells and door storage compartments they've got LEDs already. So why not go with LEDs all the way, why Audi?

Tricky bits:
- front maps (mirror) - very fiddly, but doable
- rear map - you have to actually unscrew the whole light unit, nothing serious, take the domes out, unplug the bulbs, then you will find 2x star screws, when undone pry from side and it's off. job done.

The dim option will still work when locking and unlocking car.

Pry domes always from the front of the car side. Rear ones sits really tight and they coming off in two stages. But be careful.

Best tool: for some of them standard prying tools for mobile phones, BUT a standard cutlery knife will do the whole job, usual they have no sharp edges, round end but must be fairly thin, not a butcher type one.
No damage at all, and trust me I'm very pedantic on thing like that.

Final effect: (chavy????)
please share your thought, your honest opinion.
Transformation is incredible, the whole interior looks like never before in the dark/evening.
Everything is so clear and crisp.
Does it mean that it's chavy??

WHY stick to yellow????

Problem, best effect when dark, camera used, iphone 4s-not good at all to take night shots, but at least you will get an idea.





__________________

2006 D3 S8 5.2 V10
Ceramic Brakes, Bang&Olufsen, DTV, DAB, Rear Camera, BT, TPMS, Soft Close, Auto Boot, AMI , 4 Zone AC, Home Link, All Electric Blinds, Fingerprint, Ski Hatch, Black Extended Leather, Heated Sport Seats, Alacantra, Carbon Trim inc Aluminium Pack 2.
2015 A3 S line 1.4 TFSI - for the missus to keep her away from my car.
Standard S-line equipment, no extras.
2006 D3 A8 3.7 V8 - SOLD but not forgotten
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