Can anyone recommend 501 W5W LEDs for a pre facelift W204 that won't melt ?

[Norte23]

I've had them, also burnt out. I'll take a picture of all the different types I've tried I've still got them.

That's interesting Norte, if the resistor is what's tipping the heat over the edge, but I'm not sure that'll fit in behind the sealing cap.

They weren't behind the cap Mike. I routed the wires though it instead on my Lexus. Not looked at my MB yet to see if I can do it the same way though.

Mark

 

[Chrishazle]

Do you have Xenon lights in the 204?

Mine's a pre-facelift, I have normal Nightbreaker Plus in dip and main beam.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

I had all these problems and ended up buying a normal pair of 501's which were called super whites, they're a slight off-blue so with my nightbreakers on in the dipped beams they look much better than any LED, and no problems either

 

[MancMike]

Chris, mine too, but I have Xenons. They produce much more heat and so I'm sure most all of the 501 LEDs would survive non-HID lights, but those with Xenons are melting them all. :/

 

[Ted]

But xenons/HIDs emit LESS heat than normal bulbs?

 

[MancMike]

They burn far hotter. They might be be more efficient per watt, but still get much hotter. Its the absolute temperature doing the damage not the volume/quantity of heat.

Halogens run at a much lower temperature, hence the yellower appearance. That'll radiate more heat, but at a lower temperature.

 

[vijilants]

My car has Xenons, so the led side lights really do compliment them well.

This definately appears to be an issue cause by heat coming off the Xenons directly below. I will have to put my laser temeparure guage on to the leds at some stage to see how hot they are running.

I may go for the external resistor solution but getting those resistors behind the rubber cap / boot may be a challenge.

 

[amiller81]

How long have those lasted you amiller81. Mark

2 years this May and still going strong!!!

 

[amiller81]

 

[vijilants]

UPDATE:

I purchased these when I visited the the USA and 8 months later no problems whatsover.

6x Xenon White Canbus T10 6SMD 5630 LED License Plate Light Bulb W5W 194 168

 

[vijilants]

Update:

Four of them have now melted !!!!

The problem appears to be the lack of space within the sdelamp pod, hence the heat cannot dissipate.

 

[Chrishazle]

I've had the exact same problem with my 204, using these :
T10 501 W5W CAR SIDE LIGHT BULBS ERROR FREE CANBUS 6 & 10SMD LED XENON HID WHITE | eBay
After a while the plastic lens on the front melts and the bulb quits - side and parking lights at the front. I gave up on LED's and reverted to ordinary.

 

[MancMike]

I’ve tried about a dozen different sets. I’ve given up now. There just aren’t any that last more than a couple of months in the pre-facelift W204 with xenons.

Edit: I’ve also tried the ones linked above. They indeed melt and it took me about an hour to remove one as it’d melted into the housing.

 

[vijilants]

I’ve tried about a dozen different sets. I’ve given up now. There just aren’t any that last more than a couple of months in the pre-facelift W204 with xenons.

Edit: I’ve also tried the ones linked above. They indeed melt and it took me about an hour to remove one as it’d melted into the housing.

Yep...I've also given up. Going back to Osram Cool Blue Intense standard bulbs.

 

[clk320x]

I’ve had some LED error free bulbs in my 209 with xenons and no issues for last few months
Can provide link if needed when home

 

[MancMike]

Please do, but I’m probably going to respond with “yep, tried them, failed after x weeks”.

It seems specific to the W204 with xenons. The headlight design must overheat the LEDs.

 

[Chrishazle]

Not just Xenons - I have halogens in my S204, and have melted quite a few LED's in the side and parking lights, although I do have NB Ultimates on full time when driving.

 

[vijilants]

I've now gone back to the Osram 501s which claim to give the "Xenon look" on the packet......Such a false statement...they look awful and yellow.

Still, I've now had enough of attempting to make LEDs work with this headlight.

On the same point, I'm not sure as to what Mercedes were thinking when they designed access to the 4 x sidelight / parking light bulbs. Didi they think that they would never need replacing ???

 

[MancMike]

Same. It's a shame because the LEDs all match the Xenon colour temp perfectly and looked really smart.

I'd rather put up with the dull orange (blue bulb 501s) than the continual stress of watching every set of LEDs I buy either go out or start flickering.

 

[lordlee]

These are brilliant - 2pcs 501 W5W T10 CANBUS 9W CREE SMD LED BULBS 360 Degree XENON WHITE ERROR FREE | eBay
Brightest I could find.