LED Lights

duggiesmith · Post by **duggiesmith** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:24 am

Anyone had any problems with the LED rear lights on newer models? Car's about 6 months old and there are 10 bulbs (out of 20) gone on driver's side and 2 on passengers side.

Checked handbook and it says that as these are "extremely durable" they can only be replaced by changing the whole cluster.

Just hope the warranty covers this

blackbird · Post by **blackbird** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:28 am

yes they get water in them and kill the leds you have to fit the new light unit

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:56 am

I thouhgt LEDs were supposed to be better then incandesent bulbs?!?!

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 10:21 am

that's what LED manufacturers want you to think

if you can split the unit it would be easy to repair.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:42 am

Ah I see... Suprised that water upsets them but I suppose its the circuit board they are on that has failed.

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:56 am

RICHARDHUMBLE wrote:Ah I see... Suprised that water upsets them but I suppose its the circuit board they are on that has failed.

probably but as it's only LED's and resistors it shouldn't be that difficult to repair. but then again if it's under warrenty just get a new one.

duggiesmith · Post by **duggiesmith** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:04 pm

So much for being "extremely durable."

Looks like a call to MMC is in order. I just hope this is a one off. Don't fancy having to replace them every 6 months

jj · Post by jj » Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:07 pm

I have read about a lot of people having the same problems on various forums.

woody · Post by **woody** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:21 pm

On the ayrshire run, I was behind a 400 mile old car that had about 40% of It's LED's out.

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:59 pm

A LED should last longer than a bulb but they do loose brightness as they get older if they are constantly blowing LED's there must be something wrong with them, it may be that they are just crap or maybe something todo with voltage spikes I would have to have a look at the electronics behind it to see (and a bit of time as it's been a while since I did any electronics). an LED circuit consists of an LED and a resistor and well thats about it. not much to go wrong really.

AllyY · Post by **AllyY** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:45 pm

I'm suffering from the same problem - 6 bulbs gone on driver side and 2 on passenger.
Been told by MMC that there have been so many units failing that they are on back order, but that was 7 weeks ago.
Chased MMC at beginning of last week and was told they would get me an update on expected delivery - still waiting. Beginning to feel they're taking the p**s a bit.
Apart from the embarrassment of being told a couple of times "oi...your tail lights are broken", I'm just waiting for bored members of Tayside constabulary to start taking an interest.
Any one else waiting for replacement of these by MMC, or heard anything of delivery problems ?

Ally.

EliseR · Post by **EliseR** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:49 pm

duggiesmith wrote:Anyone had any problems with the LED rear lights on newer models? Car's about 6 months old and there are 10 bulbs (out of 20) gone on driver's side and 2 on passengers side.

Checked handbook and it says that as these are "extremely durable" they can only be replaced by changing the whole cluster.

Just hope the warranty covers this

Yup,

Two are dead on my drivers side. They are on back order, the mechanic at Murray told me they are a complete nightmare.

He says they should be in stock in maybe a month.

G.

YvoTuk · Post by **YvoTuk** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:52 pm

yup, heard the same story here. backorder agogo for Lotus and I wouldn't be surprised if they don't want to ship anything outisde the factory as it will only cost them more. (more units will fail)

I think someone has changed something in the design. As far as I know, these problems started to occur after a certain VIN range, so it's either a faulty batch or a spec change which causes the problem.

The reason for them to fail can be various, if it indeed is a stupid resistor<>LED circuit, a voltage peak can kill the LED (to much current flowing through). It can also be caused by incorrect assembly (surface mount LED which is not soldered correctly will crack and at the end stop working)

It's a bit of shame that the units need to be returned. I would love to take one apart and see how they've built them up and how to improve.

Would be a loverly new product for both the S1 and the S2

AllyY · Post by **AllyY** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:25 pm

In fairness, should mention that I've received a call from Bill at MMC to tell me that my replacement tail light units are now in stock - these from a different supplier. Getting them fitted next week.

Ally.

David Bryce · Post by **David Bryce** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:37 pm

runs outside to check if mine are ok....................

aye, no problems, all are working

Scottish Elises

LED Lights

LED Lights

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