LED plate lights that dont flicker?

5soko · 01-22-2013, 04:08 PM

Hey guys, so I got a full housing LED setup to replace my oem yellow rear plate lights.

No errors from the LED's but they FLICKER and strobe during startup.

Are they any LED plate lights that don't strobe? Or even just drop in bulbs like festoon bulbs that don't flicker?

Thanks!

1QuikWS6 · 01-22-2013, 06:05 PM

Every LED, whether it be Can-Bus, Error Free, etc - will flicker & strobe.

This is due to the Bulb Checks (Cold & Warm). Car system shoots a low voltage to all the exterior lights @ startup, and later when warm, to check for burned out bulbs.

The voltage is low enough to not light up the OEM bulbs, but LED's need very little voltage to light - so the bulb check voltage sent across the system causes any LED to flicker or strobe.

Long story short - only way to get rid of the LED flickering is to code out the Cold/Warm bulb checks using NCSExpert software & coding cable as described in great detail in the Coding Section of the forum.

Dealer can NOT code out individual items such as this so no need to even ask them...

5soko · 01-23-2013, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1QuikWS6

Every LED, whether it be Can-Bus, Error Free, etc - will flicker & strobe.

This is due to the Bulb Checks (Cold & Warm). Car system shoots a low voltage to all the exterior lights @ startup, and later when warm, to check for burned out bulbs.

The voltage is low enough to not light up the OEM bulbs, but LED's need very little voltage to light - so the bulb check voltage sent across the system causes any LED to flicker or strobe.

Long story short - only way to get rid of the LED flickering is to code out the Cold/Warm bulb checks using NCSExpert software & coding cable as described in great detail in the Coding Section of the forum.

Dealer can NOT code out individual items such as this so no need to even ask them...

AHH gotcha! Thanks a lot for that informative post.

Coding out the cold/warm bulb check, specific to plate lights, or is it a overall coding shutoff?

Red_Bean_Bun · 08-12-2013, 02:15 PM

My led fog light flickers all the way.

I have code out of the bulb checks but it flickers very slowly like 1 flicker per 5 seconds for as long as the light switch is in parking lights mode. It does not light up in any other positions on the light switch.

Any ideas ?

bhmax16 · 08-12-2013, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5soko

AHH gotcha! Thanks a lot for that informative post.

Coding out the cold/warm bulb check, specific to plate lights, or is it a overall coding shutoff?

The checks can be coded out independently of the other bulbs

simp0man · 08-12-2013, 06:55 PM

First time I saw it flicker I liked it! Can you imagine going to your car and as you start, it does that? I was impressed. Light show folks, lol.

5soko · 08-12-2013, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhmax16

The checks can be coded out independently of the other bulbs

O that's really good to know, I think im gonna get in contact with a coder and do that, along with other stuff at the same time.

thanks

bhmax16 · 08-13-2013, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5soko

O that's really good to know, I think im gonna get in contact with a coder and do that, along with other stuff at the same time.

thanks

No problem, though if you have a laptop and $100 to spend on a cable you can do the coding yourself. It opens up a whole new world of customization for our vehicles. I'm an electrical engineer but not a computer geek by any means (I stick to analog design..digital and software is for the CPEs), but with the help of a few members on the forum I got all the (free) software loaded, configured, and talking to my vehicle in short time and have successfully coded a bunch of neat features. It's quite rewarding!

mweisdorfer · 08-14-2013, 02:06 PM

I recently replaced my lic. Plate bulbs with sylvania silver star LEDs. I am now getting a light error. I check out all around the car and no light is out though. Do you think it is the LED lights or something else?

bhmax16 · 08-14-2013, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

I recently replaced my lic. Plate bulbs with sylvania silver star LEDs. I am now getting a light error. I check out all around the car and no light is out though. Do you think it is the LED lights or something else?

Pull the code through your dash for the bulb error and check to see which bulb it indicates is out. Or if you have the stock bulbs still available put those back in and see if the error goes away (I'd vote for the first method since it takes 2 seconds to pull a code vs 5-10 minutes for a bulb change)

rantheman · 08-15-2013, 11:52 PM

i got mine through highperformancebulb.com aswome way brighter than stock

notnow · 08-16-2013, 02:20 AM

They flicker because of bulb check, just disable bulb check via coding. Did it for my LED turn signals on my fender.

I recently installed these 24LED licence plate LEDs and holy jesus they are bright... a little too bright.

mweisdorfer · 08-16-2013, 08:52 AM

Does anyone think the fact that they flicker that this will set off the lightbulb code in the front dash?

notnow · 08-16-2013, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Does anyone think the fact that they flicker that this will set off the lightbulb code in the front dash?

Not all bulbs throw codes even if they do flicker due to bulb check

01-22-2013, 04:08 PM	#1
5soko Brigadier General 333 Rep 4,632 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (4)	LED plate lights that dont flicker? Hey guys, so I got a full housing LED setup to replace my oem yellow rear plate lights. No errors from the LED's but they FLICKER and strobe during startup. Are they any LED plate lights that don't strobe? Or even just drop in bulbs like festoon bulbs that don't flicker? Thanks! __________________ Current: E63S AMG 4matic RENNtech \|\| M5 Evolve..Eventuri \|\| F10 LCI 535i MHD
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01-22-2013, 06:05 PM	#2
1QuikWS6 No 55mph 1621 Rep 8,476 Posts Drives: F32 435ix MSport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Blitzburgh, PA iTrader: (113) Garage List 2022 BMW M440ix Vert [0.00] 2015 BMW 435ix MSport [0.00] 2000 Pontiac Trans Am [0.00]	Every LED, whether it be Can-Bus, Error Free, etc - will flicker & strobe. This is due to the Bulb Checks (Cold & Warm). Car system shoots a low voltage to all the exterior lights @ startup, and later when warm, to check for burned out bulbs. The voltage is low enough to not light up the OEM bulbs, but LED's need very little voltage to light - so the bulb check voltage sent across the system causes any LED to flicker or strobe. Long story short - only way to get rid of the LED flickering is to code out the Cold/Warm bulb checks using NCSExpert software & coding cable as described in great detail in the Coding Section of the forum. Dealer can NOT code out individual items such as this so no need to even ask them... __________________ F32 435ix//MGM//M Sport-Prem-Tech-Driver Assist-Lighting-Cold Weather-Dyn Handling Pkgs//M4 Black Lthr Int w/M4 Alum Blade Trim//HK w/Bavsound Stg3//763M//M4 Euro LCI Tails//M4 Mirrors w/CF Covers//AWCarbon CF F/R Spoilers-Side Splitters-Diffuser 6WB/ID6 HU+HUD/IND M4 Alcantara Armrest//PURE S2 Turbo//AA FMIC+DP//ER CP+TIC//3.5bar TMAP/TS DV//AWE Tuning Exh w/Blk Tips//Turner MS CF Intake//BM3 Cary Jordan Tune//MPerf Diff//PrecRW Ignition Kit
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08-12-2013, 02:15 PM	#4
Red_Bean_Bun Captain 62 Rep 944 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Montreal iTrader: (4)	My led fog light flickers all the way. I have code out of the bulb checks but it flickers very slowly like 1 flicker per 5 seconds for as long as the light switch is in parking lights mode. It does not light up in any other positions on the light switch. Any ideas ?
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08-12-2013, 06:55 PM	#6
simp0man Not looking 2 SPEED, just looking GOOD 45 Rep 2,516 Posts Drives: 07 328i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stockton, Ca iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 328i [0.00]	First time I saw it flicker I liked it! Can you imagine going to your car and as you start, it does that? I was impressed. Light show folks, lol. __________________
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08-14-2013, 02:06 PM	#9
mweisdorfer Major General 1903 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 2007 Black/Black 335i e90 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Holly, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E90 335i [0.00] 2008 bmw x5 [0.00]	Light Error? I recently replaced my lic. Plate bulbs with sylvania silver star LEDs. I am now getting a light error. I check out all around the car and no light is out though. Do you think it is the LED lights or something else?
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08-15-2013, 11:52 PM	#11
rantheman Private First Class 9 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 2010 bmw 335i m sport Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	i got mine through highperformancebulb.com aswome way brighter than stock __________________ 2010 BMW 335i m sport weathertech floor mats LUX H8 V4,high permance bulbs interior lights AV 19x10et38 275/30r19 Michelin pilot as/3 19x9et35 245/35r19
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08-16-2013, 02:20 AM	#12
notnow Bit by Modbug 258 Rep 1,109 Posts Drives: F86 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: CANADA iTrader: (9)	They flicker because of bulb check, just disable bulb check via coding. Did it for my LED turn signals on my fender. I recently installed these 24LED licence plate LEDs and holy jesus they are bright... a little too bright.
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08-16-2013, 08:52 AM	#13
mweisdorfer Major General 1903 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 2007 Black/Black 335i e90 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Holly, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E90 335i [0.00] 2008 bmw x5 [0.00]	Flickering = setting off code? Does anyone think the fact that they flicker that this will set off the lightbulb code in the front dash?
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