DIY: Front Turn Signal Light upgrade to LED bulb

[whatheheck]

Here you go for sharing in case anyone is interested in doing this mod.

1) I should know better than trust the BMW Owners Manual. My owners manual said my front turn signal bulbs are 1156/P21 bulb so I ordered a P21 LED amber bulb.

When the P21 Amber LED bulb arrived and I tried to do the bulb swap out it turns out I actually have PY24W bulb. Dang.... Wasted time and money.

So, I ordered a PY24W amber bulb in eBay. Fits perfect, brighter than OE bulb, being LED, its instant on and off for better turn signal usage.

2) Some notes: The front turn signal also serves as parking lights. It operates at reduced voltage on parking light mode. No issue with LED I used. Its a little dim on parking light mode but nice and bright on turn signal mode.

3) The LED bulbs that I used has enough resistance load that there is no hyperflashing. You will however need to get your software recoded to turn the bulb fault ping to inactive so that the LED's wont flash every once in a while.

4) Bulb access / removal instructions is provided in the owners manual. You simply remove 3 screws to remove the fender liner, then pull back on the fender liner and you will see the turn signal bulb housing assembly. Simply turn counter clockwise until it stops turning, then pull the bulb holder back and out.

Once the bulb assembly is out - grab the base and turn the bulb counter clockwise and the bulb will separate from the base.

Photos below.

Here is the bulbs that I used. Works great, nice and bright. No hyperflash:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141659344253...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Photos below. Hope this helps some of you.

Dan

[Yeoman]

Thanks for the detailed write up - just ordered a set

[whatheheck]

You're welcome. Glad I can help.

Dan

Originally Posted by Yeoman

Thanks for the detailed write up - just ordered a set

[KL07RPH]

Originally Posted by whatheheck

You're welcome. Glad I can help.

Dan

Hi Dan,

Any recent updates on the LEDs? Looking to get the same bulbs as you did and wanted to see how the bulbs are holding up 4-5 months later.

[whatheheck]

My front turn LED turn signal bulbs works perfect. No issues

Dan

Originally Posted by KL07RPH

Hi Dan,

Any recent updates on the LEDs? Looking to get the same bulbs as you did and wanted to see how the bulbs are holding up 4-5 months later.

[mazyson]

I have a 2016 M4, would these be the same instructions for the M4? Where can I buy the bulbs? Also what about the side mirrors, can I replace those bulbs in there as well? I want to replace the orange/amber with clear bulbs. Thanks!

[jpsimon]

Could you post a picture of the LED bulb installed but without it on?

/edit/ never-mind, i just ordered them anyways hah

[shamshir]

Originally Posted by whatheheck

3) The LED bulbs that I used has enough resistance load that there is no hyperflashing.

You will however need to get your software recoded to turn the bulb fault ping to inactive so that the LED's wont flash every once in a while.



Dan

whatheheck (Dan),

Is going through the recoding process code worth it?

How often does it ping the bulb?

[jpy1980]

Bump. I’d like to know the coding too

[B335T M0DE]

Found this: http://www.f30post.com/forums/attach...8&d=1386142231

[jcortez75]

I had the exact same experience with ordering the turning signal bulb. With newer BMW in the F generation, I would add to make sure you order "Canbus" led bulbs if not you will experience flashes when starting your car. Also, even though, I ordered error fee led bulbs, I still code out the monitoring and change the bulb setting to LED's using Bimmercode and the Vgate adapter.

Here are the led bulbs from Amazon that has successfully worked for me without any issues:

Front turn signal led bulbs: https://amzn.to/3dyAwnL
Rear brake and rear turn signal led combo bulbs: https://amzn.to/3fvlNvj
Backup Reverse Light led bulbs: https://amzn.to/2WAPVgs
LED License Plate Light rear: https://amzn.to/2zjFhT9