Jb's Offical Jetta6 HID/LED Bulb Guide

[jpbran]

So the consensus is that the only lights that will trigger Canbus alerts are the side lights (amber)? I'd imagine the headlights would too maybe. The DRLs and license plate lights won't trigger any alerts? Good to know-- only a few of the DRL 1156s out there were listed as Canbus error-free which eliminated a lot of the more highly reviewed and affordable choices. Or so I'd thought.

[~jb]

So the consensus is that the only lights that will trigger Canbus alerts are the side lights (amber)? I'd imagine the headlights would too maybe. The DRLs and license plate lights won't trigger any alerts? Good to know-- only a few of the DRL 1156s out there were listed as Canbus error-free which eliminated a lot of the more highly reviewed and affordable choices. Or so I'd thought.

There is no "consensus" here, there are only facts. I know what bulbs are CANBUS because of trial and error. The side marker threw a bulb error code with NON-CANBUS LED bulb, and nothing with a LED CANBUS bulb.

The Headlights DO NOT require CANBUS, nor did I note that. Again the information provided here is not speculation, I am running HID's. Unless I have called out "CANBUS" the bulb listed above does not need to be.**



**The turn signals need more T&E, the bulbs "could be" CANBUS, or the flasher relay could be causing the error. Once I have some more time to figure that one out, I will have a conclusive answer.

~jb

[quailallstar]

@JB

Great job! I see an empty bulb holder for the rear fog lightbulb! Hopefully this is only a wire that needs to be inserted to activate?

[quailallstar]

So the consensus is that the only lights that will trigger Canbus alerts are the side lights (amber)? I'd imagine the headlights would too maybe. The DRLs and license plate lights won't trigger any alerts? Good to know-- only a few of the DRL 1156s out there were listed as Canbus error-free which eliminated a lot of the more highly reviewed and affordable choices. Or so I'd thought.

Yes DRLs do not cause error codes. Only the amber side marker lights.

There is no "consensus" here, there are only facts. I know what bulbs are CANBUS because of trial and error. The side marker threw a bulb error code with NON-CANBUS LED bulb, and nothing with a LED CANBUS bulb.

The Headlights DO NOT require CANBUS, nor did I note that. Again the information provided here is not speculation, I am running HID's. Unless I have called out "CANBUS" the bulb listed above does not need to be.**



**The turn signals need more T&E, the bulbs "could be" CANBUS, or the flasher relay could be causing the error. Once I have some more time to figure that one out, I will have a conclusive answer.

~jb

I tested LED front turn signals and they do not throw out errors. Only downside is that the turns aren't really brite enough for use day/night. I put back the stock turn bulbs.

[~jb]

I tested LED front turn signals and they do not throw out errors. Only downside is that the turns aren't really brite enough for use day/night. I put back the stock turn bulbs.

Change all four and the bulb error light will come on. No hyper flash on the exterior, but the dash does.

[John Kotches]

Okay, how do I get the glove box casing open to replace the bulb?

Removing it is fairly easy, but short of using an excessive amount of force, how do I get that open to replace the bulb???

[~jb]

let me go grab it, and snap a few pics.

one sec.

[jetta8022]

do you have any pictures for install HID headlight?

[~jb]

edit*

[John Kotches]

JB:

Many thanks... Didn't want to start disassembling the housing and end up breaking it ;-)

[~jb]

JB:

Many thanks... Didn't want to start disassembling the housing and end up breaking it ;-)

Your more then welcome man. Feel free to ask as many questions as you need, like you said its cheaper then a broken part.

[tuckNroll20th]

do you have any pictures for install HID headlight?

x2!!! it was easier in my MK4, this one is looking a bit different

[NotLowEnough]

do you have any pictures for install HID headlight?

x2!!! it was easier in my MK4, this one is looking a bit different

Don't do drop-in HID's. Get a set of Silverstars, keep your lenses clean, and call it a day. Drop-in HID's are the rigged way to do it.

[~jb]

Don't do drop-in HID's. Get a set of Silverstars, keep your lenses clean, and call it a day. Drop-in HID's are the rigged way to do it.

The HID in halogen housing topic always stirs up quite a debate. Every housing is different, and in my opinion after testing the Mk6 Jetta housings I am running 6k HID head and fog lights.

As far as "write up" goes, since its already done on my car, I am waiting for a local to do it. Then I can snap pics and explain better.


~jb

[Bronxie]

nice thread


I just recently changed my DRL's and license plate lights to white. Looks great.

One question though. I plan on getting my HID's soon. From what I've been reading its H7 but some people on the forums are saying how the new jettas headlights are different. Anybody have any trouble installing H7 HIDs at all?

i planned on buying something like this : http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-HID-H...-p4782960.html

[jpbran]

There is no "consensus" here, there are only facts. I know what bulbs are CANBUS because of trial and error. The side marker threw a bulb error code with NON-CANBUS LED bulb, and nothing with a LED CANBUS bulb.

The Headlights DO NOT require CANBUS, nor did I note that. Again the information provided here is not speculation, I am running HID's. Unless I have called out "CANBUS" the bulb listed above does not need to be.**

~jb

I wasn't meaning to offend or second guess. It's hard to know with many other sites and online stores saying CANBUS is or can be an issue with the DRLs (and you're being especially cautious once you've been screwed over by defective bulbs). Also, I was again just speculating about the headlights. It would seem if any bulb would provide a warning when out, it would be the headlights.

I'd thanked you in an earlier post for providing this info. Your response seemed fairly defensive. I may have worded incorrectly; wasn't meaning to doubt your expertise.

[~jb]

I wasn't meaning to offend or second guess. It's hard to know with many other sites and online stores saying CANBUS is or can be an issue with the DRLs (and you're being especially cautious once you've been screwed over by defective bulbs). Also, I was again just speculating about the headlights. It would seem if any bulb would provide a warning when out, it would be the headlights.

I'd thanked you in an earlier post for providing this info. Your response seemed fairly defensive. I may have worded incorrectly; wasn't meaning to doubt your expertise.

No offense taken, after reading what I wrote I guess I could see how it could be taken.. no worries!

If you want to pay the premium for CANBUS bulbs, then by all means do so. A lot of people are used to forking over high prices after owning and modding a German car. Simple "bulb out" systems work in the way that if the circuit is not complete or the voltage is wrong then the error comes on. CANBUS adds circuitry to combat this, you probably would not get a "bulb out" with a CANBUS LED if after thousands of hours it does burn out.


Again I do apologize to have sounded defensive, not my intention, its hard to convey emotion through text.




Thanks for the thanks.
~jb

[jpbran]

PS-- One more question. Any advice or tips for the map and overhead lights still staying on slightly when not actually "on?" Is this a real worry? I figure LEDs use such a small amount of power anyway, and when only on at about 5% power, it surely can't run down a 1' sq. battery. Anything I can do to correct this, or should I just ignore it?

[~jb]

Got a little bored this evening...

Not sure if I'm sold on the look

[John Kotches]

It would seem if any bulb would provide a warning when out, it would be the headlights.

This is taken mildly out of context, but why would you need a warning on headlights? A headlight that's out should be fairly obvious to even a casual observer.





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[junky]

hi ~jb,

do you know if the fog light are the same as the 2010 golf? just the fog light, because i know the grill is different. I want to know if the fog light of the 2010 golf has the same screw holes as the 2011 jetta.

thanks
junky

[jpbran]

This is taken mildly out of context, but why would you need a warning on headlights? A headlight that's out should be fairly obvious to even a casual observer.





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One would think that, but it's kinda disproven by the amount of dumba$$ drivers at night without their headlights even being on at all.

[cxavier]

This looks like what I want to do with my headlights but I also want to have the drl's off when the switch is off. I have a Euro switch, I like to be able to turn the lights completely off but I also still wanted to have the drl's come on when in parking light position instead of off position.

What did you do to achieve this? Require some re-wiring...I'm a wiz with a soldering iron...

Got a little bored this evening...

Not sure if I'm sold on the look

[~jb]

This looks like what I want to do with my headlights but I also want to have the drl's off when the switch is off. I have a Euro switch, I like to be able to turn the lights completely off but I also still wanted to have the drl's come on when in parking light position instead of off position.

What did you do to achieve this? Require some re-wiring...I'm a wiz with a soldering iron...

I would say this is not possible because, because you would need to tap power from the (side marker) which is CANBUS. If you got a CANBUS side marker LED and a CANBUS DRL LED that just might work.

[~jb]

UPDATE 06/21/11

Well last night was another fuse blowing evening.

Last night I focused on the Tail lights. (inner and outer)

Inner:


Ba15s (W5W) Running - replaced with a 9 SMD LED. No problems
1156 Turn Signal - replaced with 9 SMD LED. Power Leak, LED dim lit.

Outer:


1157 Running/Brake - replaced with a 9 SMD LED. Power Leak, LED dim lit. & CANBUS error.
1156 Reverse - replaced with 9 SMD LED. Hyper Flash (dash only) Normal flash on exterior. CANBUS error.


Somehow I popped the fuse to the turn signals, and the reverse lights. found it and replaced it, everything is back to normal.

So now I have to break down and order CANBUS LEDS. I am not looking forward to dropping real money for LEDS, but its the price to pay if I wanna play. I will keep everyone posted as always.

~jb

[BsickPassat]

UPDATE 06/21/11

Well last night was another fuse blowing evening.

Last night I focused on the Tail lights. (inner and outer)

Inner:

Ba15s (W5W) Running - replaced with a 9 SMD LED. No problems

W5W doesm't use a BA15S base. You got a typo there.

[John Kotches]

On my car, I'm getting the minor draw on the 1156 lights on the inner housing. These might need to be canbus.

Trying to upload an image, might not have enough posts yet to do it.

[~jb]

On my car, I'm getting the minor draw on the 1156 lights on the inner housing. These might need to be canbus.

Trying to upload an image, might not have enough posts yet to do it.

weird, on my car those are fine.

[John Kotches]

weird, on my car those are fine.

Yeah, but I didn't blow any fuses on my tail lights either -- so maybe I'm just lucky that way. Might need a load resistor rather than canbus.

All that's left for me is the front of the car -- I'd love to get the front DRL switched over, but it isn't end of the world type stuff either if I don't.

Cheers,

[John Kotches]

On my car, I'm getting the minor draw on the 1156 lights on the inner housing. These might need to be canbus.

Trying to upload an image, might not have enough posts yet to do it.

weird, on my car those are fine.

This morning, I turned on the engine and the dashboard kiss of death, i.e. the bulb out indicator is on. Nothing on the back of the car is lighting up... Good times for me.

Which fuse are the tail lights on and what's the capacity? I can pick them up near my office if I know what I need.

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[~jb]

This morning, I turned on the engine and the dashboard kiss of death, i.e. the bulb out indicator is on. Nothing on the back of the car is lighting up... Good times for me.

Which fuse are the tail lights on and what's the capacity? I can pick them up near my office if I know what I need.

LOL, last night I got the same kiss of death for the inner running LEDs. The rear is going to take a little more work then I thought. I'm sorry though I don't know which fuse is for the tails. Not sure VWoA reasoning for not including a fuse layout. Anytime I blow one (which I have done quite a bit) I just pull them till I find it.

Making a proper fuse layout to add the the FAQ is on my to do list though.


~jb

[John Kotches]

Don't have much time to experiment before I have to drive.

and of course the blown fuse is a significant safety hazard.

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[~jb]

Don't have much time to experiment before I have to drive.

and of course the blown fuse is a significant safety hazard.

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Hey if there is no challenge, then your not trying!

[John Kotches]

Lots of stop and go driving on a trip this afternoon.

if I were parked in my garage it would be a no brainer... I'm not.

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[John Kotches]

A little slow to reply, but I finally got a chance to check it out. No blown fuse, just the bulb out indicator. I think I'd prefer the blown fuse!

Cheers,



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