Changing front turn signal bulbs?

41592 Views 214 Replies 22 Participants Last post by deAutoLED.com, Aug 31, 2018

derekjl

Discussion Starter · Apr 5, 2015 (Edited)

Trying to figure out exactly what bulb it is. I have some LEDs en route from China that are a newer design and extremely bright. Is the turn signal bulb underneath the black rubber cap or is that just the cornering bulb? Thanks.

Info on bulb...did some research on BAY9S turn signal LEDs and found a German VW forum where people have had great luck with these, no bulb out error either!

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2pcs-Yellow-H21W-BAY9s-120-degress-6-x-5W-High-Power-CREE-LED-Lens-Bulbs-for/32255663791.html

61 - 80 of 215 Posts

dlaunde

· #61 · Apr 20, 2015 (Edited)

Zenoss - you definitely have a different bulb housing then my GTI (mine was one of the first off the line for NA back in June 2014, for reference). Bulb D fit fine in my housing easily and without problems. I can try taking a picture of my housing tomorrow (if the rain finally stops).

Question: how does the bulb holder fit into the turn signal socket? Does it clip in or do you have to turn it clockwise to get it secure?

dlaunde

· #62 · Apr 20, 2015

derekjl said:
Looks like still nothing compares to stock during the day.

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Rotordrew said:
IMO the data on bulb "D" is inaccurate. Due to the fact that he had to put it in the open void in the housing, it completely changed the direction of the LED output. Would like to see this one installed correctly before agreeing that D is the brightest.

Because of the way he had to test Bulb D (since it wouldn't fit) I can tell you right now it gets a lot brighter than his picture. Compare it to my picture and you can see a big difference (and my pic was taken a lot further back). It sucks VW constantly changes their bulb holders/specs (such as some people having stock LED vanity lights while others, like myself, had normal bulbs) throughout production.

zenoss

· #63 · Apr 20, 2015

Rotordrew said:
IMO the data on bulb "D" is inaccurate. Due to the fact that he had to put it in the open void in the housing, it completely changed the direction of the LED output. Would like to see this one installed correctly before agreeing that D is the brightest.

Yep, I agree with you and dlaunde 100%. At this point in time I'd say Option C is the brightest that's compatible with the connector I have and possibly all connectors on the road today. If you have an early GTI, option D will provide much better output than the photos I took.

dlaunde said:
Zenoss - you definitely have a different bulb housing then my GTI (mine was one of the first off the line for NA back in June 2014, for reference). Bulb D fit fine in my housing easily and without problems. I can try taking a picture of my housing tomorrow (if the rain finally stops).

Question: how does the bulb holder fit into the turn signal socket? Does it clip in or do you have to turn it clockwise to get it secure?

Aha, that makes sense. Bummer for me though. My bulb just clips in, I don't need to rotate anything or apply much pressure at all. It just snaps in place. It's raining over here too so I'll have to get night photos tomorrow.

dlaunde

· #64 · Apr 20, 2015

zenoss said:
Aha, that makes sense. Bummer for me though. My bulb just clips in, I don't need to rotate anything or apply much pressure at all. It just snaps in place. It's raining over here too so I'll have to get night photos tomorrow.

That's what I figured (looks kind of like the rear bulb connectors). The connector housing I have requires you to screw it in to place so there are no clips obstructing the shape of the hole/Bulb D fitting.

deAutoLED.com

· #65 · Apr 20, 2015

That is a shame, we were able to test the D bulb - it is the best out of all of them, just as bright as stock in person if not brighter as it lights more of the housing with a deep amber color, and with the quicker light up time it is the best option.

How can we figure out when they started using that smaller housing?

derekjl

Discussion Starter · #66 · Apr 20, 2015

This is getting far too complicated lol.

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titaniumair

· #67 · Apr 20, 2015

I'm not sure any of the previously mentioned bulbs are the best option. I think the best bulb would be one that utilizes a reverse firing led setup so it can take advantage of the reflector to maximize light output. Something like the ones discussed over on hidplanet. http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?63270-Projector-Reflector-Hybrid-Signal-LED-Review

Problem is finding one in our bulb size.

deAutoLED.com

· #68 · Apr 20, 2015 (Edited)

titaniumair said:
I'm not sure any of the previously mentioned bulbs are the best option. I think the best bulb would be one that utilizes a reverse firing led setup so it can take advantage of the reflector to maximize light output. Something like the ones discussed over on hidplanet. http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?63270-Projector-Reflector-Hybrid-Signal-LED-Review

Problem is finding one in our bulb size.

Yes option D is the best bulb for brightness, you have to remember a small bulb / amber most likely won't be brighter vs the OEM due to the size, or other bau15s, 1156 and bigger amber bulbs are much brighter vs stock but when it comes to the smaller bay9s, it will be more difficult, it is worth having LEDs as it will light up faster, option D seems to be the same brightness, deeper amber color, and lights up more of the housing, at night it should be a lot brighter vs the stock, during the day same color but with the benefit of the quick light up time which will create a faster reaction time.

derekjl said:
This is getting far too complicated lol.

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It seems D is the best and brightest, but it won't fit every model, not too difficult, it seems like everything is explained very well, we are not here to hide anything, we want it all out in the open. Bending the truth or hiding any facts will only lead to bad customer service, and that is the last thing deAuto would want.

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titaniumair

· #69 · Apr 20, 2015

I still think the lack of reverse firing LEDs on all those options are holding back the light output vs the stock bulb. Remember, the stock filament bulb lights up in all directions, thus filling out the reflector. The key is not only to find a led with superior lumens but also one the can emit light in almost all directions. What do guys think of these? http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-High-Pow...lbs-/161525628894?hash=item259bad7fde&vxp=mtr

deAutoLED.com

· #70 · Apr 20, 2015

titaniumair said:
I still think the lack of reverse firing LEDs on all those options are holding back the light output vs the stock bulb. Remember, the stock filament bulb lights up in all directions, thus filling out the reflector. The key is not only to find a led with superior lumens but also one the can emit light in almost all directions. What do guys think of these? http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-High-Pow...lbs-/161525628894?hash=item259bad7fde&vxp=mtr

derekjl tested those early in this thread - the results were not the best:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2pcs...ower-CREE-LED-Lens-Bulbs-for/32255663791.html

results:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthre...gnal-bulbs&p=87498873&viewfull=1#post87498873

titaniumair

· #71 · Apr 20, 2015

deAutoKey.com said:
derekjl tested those early in this thread - the results were not the best:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2pcs...ower-CREE-LED-Lens-Bulbs-for/32255663791.html

results:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthre...gnal-bulbs&p=87498873&viewfull=1#post87498873

Thanks!.....glad, I didn't waste money on those. Search continues....

deAutoLED.com

· #72 · Apr 20, 2015

titaniumair said:
Thanks!.....glad, I didn't waste money on those. Search continues....

Those are actually some of the brightest amber LEDs on the market, but just not enough to make a mark, the D option in the review above is honestly the best.

D option facts:
-Brightness is the same during the day as stock
-Brighter at night
-Deeper amber color
-Light more of the housing
-Lights up quicker
-Will not fit all MK7 models.

We are going to look at making Option D with more LEDs but the same shape (but a little bit shorter) as option B/C

I think that would be the best and brightest on the market.

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titaniumair

· #73 · Apr 20, 2015

deAutoKey.com said:
We are going to look at making Option D with more LEDs but the same shape (but a little bit shorter) as option B/C

I think that would be the best and brightest on the market.

This sounds like a winner. I'd go with option D, but I'll hold out for a brighter than stock output.

dlaunde

· #74 · Apr 21, 2015

Passenger side is Bulb C, Driver side is bulb D

Same as above but photo taken from 25ft back

Not only is Bulb D the brightest, but it fills the reflector housing completely, and is a more true orange color.

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derekjl

Discussion Starter · #75 · Apr 21, 2015

dlaunde, how about bulb D vs. stock?

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dlaunde

· #76 · Apr 21, 2015

Unless someone can send me a stock bulb I can't do a direct 1:1 comparison

derekjl

Discussion Starter · #77 · Apr 22, 2015

dlaunde said:
Unless someone can send me a stock bulb I can't do a direct 1:1 comparison

Go pick one up at AutoZone?

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Rotordrew

· #78 · Apr 22, 2015

How about B vs D.

zenoss

· #79 · Apr 22, 2015

dlaunde said:
Passenger side is Bulb C, Driver side is bulb D

Same as above but photo taken from 25ft back

Not only is Bulb D the brightest, but it fills the reflector housing completely, and is a more true orange color.

Wow, awesome comparison dlaunde! Option D looks great but from your shot, option C really isn't that bad either. Thanks for the photos.

dlaunde

· #80 · Apr 22, 2015

Rotordrew said:
How about B vs D.

Bulb B vs. D was already done by me, the photo comparison is a few pages back I believe

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