LED license plate lights
 

Per another thread, I took the plunge and ordered two LED license plate lights from here http://www.tunerdomes.com/index.php?...d&productId=79

The result looks fantastic! These lights contain a resistor that fools the car into thinking your still running incandescent lights- so no bulb warning issues. They also help illuminate the area behind the car for those with backup cameras.

Installation can be tricky. First off, these lights only install one way. In other words the polarity needs to be correct. Second, the car has some quirky electronics that will shut down power the the license plate sockets if things aren't correct.

Here's the procedure:

Remove only one lens housing at a time. Fit the new LED into place and reinstall the light. Turn on the running lights and quickly see if your new LED is illuminated. If not, quickly turn off the lights and remove the LED flip it around so as to reverse it's polarity. This should do the trick. Repeat the procedure for the other light. Be sure to install the LED's with the four tiny squares pointed down towards the lens.

I'll try to post a picture later.

I'm very happy with this mod.

Paul

looking forward to the pictures .. btw, what sizes is the blub for the Q7? I actually did the LED SMD license plate blubs in my bimmer .. really freshens the look .. i just need to adjust the angle because its so damn bright .. i would advoid those cheap LED blubs you find on ebay .. go for the high quality LED SMD ..

Attachment 87296

actual blubs .. as you will notice there are six sections on the blub ..

Attachment 87297

same blubs in two different cars but angled differently .. as you can see the one on the right is brighter than the one on left ..

Attachment 87298

Here's a current picture. Sorry about the size, I have no idea how to scale the photo down using this Mac.

Thanks for the picture of them on a Q7. That made my decision easy. Just ordered a pair for mine :)

If anyone else is planning on ordering these, use the promotional code "tuner2010" at checkout to eceive a 10% discount off your order.

LMAO !!!!!!!! I just spit my drink up all over my desk !!

Sorry...I'm retarded...I thought that was his response when there was no pic posted.

My threads always show newest post first...I'm not used to that...is that the "standard" for this forum...?

Depends on how you are viewing. I use hybrid but often mess up and reply in the wrong place.
Add to that it shows me an edit option in every post... got to be careful with that one too!

I wish I was that witty and funny!

I installed these LEDs today into my 2010 Q7.

The install was very simple, considering I read the thread above. There were a couple of gotchas that have already been outlined, and a couple more that I'll point out in my photographic step by step install below.

First of all, please read above regarding polarity. You basically have a 50/50 shot at getting polarity on each one. The first light, I got it right. The second light, I did not.

You should install these in the following way:

1) Turn off car.
2) Remove housing unit from one of the lights, replace bulb. Place housing unit back in.
3) Turn on car, turn on lights.
4) If LED is on, you have polarity correct. If it's not, you don't and you need to return to step 1.
5) Turn off car.
6) Remove housing unit from other light, replace bulb. Place housing unit back in.
7) Turn on car, turn on lights. If LED is on, you're done. If not, both lights will be out and you'll need to return to step 5 and do it again.

This install took me 15 minutes, and that includes the time to snap the pictures along the way.

Install Photojournal:

Open package:
https://forums.audiworld.com/picture...ctureid=222728

Remove lights from packaging:
https://forums.audiworld.com/picture...ctureid=222729

https://forums.audiworld.com/picture...ctureid=222730

Open back of the Q7. It will help greatly if you hit the hatch button halfway up so that you have easy access to the license plate area:
https://forums.audiworld.com/picture...ctureid=222731

These are the license plate light mount and cover. As you'll see after you remove the screw, the light, mount and cover is all one piece.
https://forums.audiworld.com/picture...ctureid=222732

You're going to need a very small Philips-head screwdriver. Be careful with this step - the screws are in very tightly and I nearly stripped the screw until I found a way to get enough leverage. Unscrew and remove the housing unit
https://forums.audiworld.com/picture...ctureid=222733

This is what the area looks like with the housing removed
https://forums.audiworld.com/picture...ctureid=222734

This is the light's housing unit. The light is held into place by the connecting clips. Remove the light from the clip by pulling gently on the clips.
https://forums.audiworld.com/picture...ctureid=222735

This is the LED light secured in the housing unit. Make sure the black side is up as shown (the lights are on the other side)
https://forums.audiworld.com/picture...ctureid=222736

When replacing the housing unit, do not push it directly up into the hole. There is weatherstripping in the hole - if you push directly up, you will have a gap on the side of the light. It may still work, but the connection will not be flush:
https://forums.audiworld.com/picture...ctureid=222737

Instead, push up and over to secure it tightly and prevent the gap, then screw it back in:
https://forums.audiworld.com/picture...ctureid=222738

Turn on car and lights and voila:
https://forums.audiworld.com/picture...ctureid=222739

Then do other side:
https://forums.audiworld.com/picture...ctureid=222740

Will put up some nighttime photos when it gets dark.