Anyone have issues with LEDs on newer BRZs?

[soilent]

I want to convert all of my stock incandescent bulbs to LED, but I've read some horror stories about shorting out a computer when installing the door curtesy lights. I was just wondering if this is still an issue and if people have had problems with LEDs in other locations like trunk, dome, reverse lights, etc. Thanks.

[go_a_way1]

Originally Posted by soilent

I want to convert all of my stock incandescent bulbs to LED, but I've read some horror stories about shorting out a computer when installing the door curtesy lights. I was just wondering if this is still an issue and if people have had problems with LEDs in other locations like trunk, dome, reverse lights, etc. Thanks.

Take each story with a grain of salt as no one posts how their LED's are working fine. Get quality stuff (example @Diode Dynamics) and you should be fine. I have an LED dome light and LED switchbacks for about 3 years 0 issues

[jawn]

Unplug the battery when you're installing the lights. You can't short anything if it's not wired for power.

[go_a_way1]

^ that 2, and don't install them in the rain during a thunderstorm

[jawn]

Originally Posted by go_a_way1

^ that 2, and don't install them in the rain during a thunderstorm

It's easy to short the courtesy lights since the bulb is held in place by two conductive arms, and you have to pry the courtesy lights off with a panel tool (or a very conductive screwdriver).

[Joyride86]

I have every single light replaced with LEDs and haven't had any problems at all. Gives it very clean and modern look.

I am one of those guys that hasn't had a problem that doesn't post about it. Nevermind...I posted about it now.

[JohnBgon]

I had my car garaged for almost two weeks waiting for it to be clear bra'd. During that time, I replaced all the interior bulbs with LEDS. I had 5 spare 194's from my previous car. (courtesy lights, trunk, license plate)

No issues so far. I removed the courtesy light and dome housings when installing the LED bulbs. I did not disconnect the battery.

Some crappy phone pics I took for basic comparison:

[B-R-Z]

One of my door courtesy lights is 'stuck' on because I accidentally shorted out the connectors when changing bulbs. Because of this, I removed the bulbs from both sides because my OCD will not allow me to have one and not the other. The fix requires that you replace a pricey module that I was not willing to do. I thought about re-wiring the lights using relays and such, but thats a project for a rainy day. So to answer your question, yes this can happen, but if you are careful it can work fine. I would disconnect your battery or the courtesy light fuse before replacing the bulbs.

For the license plate LED, I highly recommend these. I went through a few sets of wedge bulbs and eventually came across these and love them. This is the same seller I purchased from: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Subaru-BRZ-I...item23398ffad1

(dont mind the mess)

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Originally Posted by go_a_way1

Take each story with a grain of salt as no one posts how their LED's are working fine. Get quality stuff (example @Diode Dynamics) and you should be fine. I have an LED dome light and LED switchbacks for about 3 years 0 issues

Originally Posted by jawn

Unplug the battery when you're installing the lights. You can't short anything if it's not wired for power.

Originally Posted by soilent

I want to convert all of my stock incandescent bulbs to LED, but I've read some horror stories about shorting out a computer when installing the door curtesy lights. I was just wondering if this is still an issue and if people have had problems with LEDs in other locations like trunk, dome, reverse lights, etc. Thanks.

The issue he's speaking of is the rare BCM/ BIU failure:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1761758

None of the 2015s have had this issue, also it occurred with lower quality LED conversions or improper installs, @Diode Dynamics have there LEDs that have no wrong polarity so it's very hard to short out. Also if your super worried unplug the battery.

[B-R-Z]

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

The issue he's speaking of is the rare BCM/ BIU failure:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1761758

None of the 2015s have had this issue, also it occurred with lower quality LED conversions, @Diode Dynamics have there LEDs that have no wrong polarity so it's very hard to short out. Also if your super worried unplug the battery.

In my case, and others I've read, it was from accidental contact between +/- on the metal casing that holds the bulb. IIRC, I was using a flat head to bend it back into shape and accidentally shorted. I realized days later that the bulb was stuck on all the time. It fortunately never killed my battery since they are such low wattage. This is why I emphasize careful install and you will likely be ok. A quality of bulb is an extra precaution.

[Euro7R]

My driver side door light is out and passenger side works. I might just take passenger door out to make mines no lights, like FRS lol. Shorted the BIU. Oh well, stuff happens.

[PandaSPUR]

How come the fuses wouldnt protect the other electronics from a short?

But all of my interior lights, trunk light, door lights, and license plate lights are LEDs. No issues here. All from @Diode Dynamics

[B-R-Z]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

How come the fuses wouldnt protect the other electronics from a short?

But all of my interior lights, trunk light, door lights, and license plate lights are LEDs. No issues here. All from @Diode Dynamics

I wonder the same. Poor design on toyobaru on this one.

Again, I think it's the install process that causes the issue, not brand of LEDs.

[pinski]

I've replaced my entire taillights, front blinkers, license plate lights, backup lights and all interior bulbs with LEDs and haven't had a single issue. Bought everything (except the Tom's) from DiodeDynamics and couldn't be more pleased with their quality or customer service.