[sputnik]

The Honda dealership very kindly replaced Papaya's driver's side brake light on Friday because it burned out. I didn't even think about changing it myself after a recent experience changing the rear turn signal bulb on the Ford which took two hours and involved pliers, a file, sandpaper, scissors and and superglue! I can tell you it looks scary behind that Ford lens since I got a hold of it! :shock:

Honda charged only for the bulb ($3.55) and they were able to change it out fast. Everything seems to be working perfectly. I'm grateful.

I have a quick question about the bulbs. IC Search mentions a twin filament #7443 (newer version of #1157) as the brake light bulb. The dealership needed to use an Acura 12V 21W/5W bulb part #34906-ST5-003 because that's what was in stock and matched the wattage. Are there any significant differences?

 

[Insightful Trekker]

If its work'in there ain't

Unless someone has a #7443 and an Acura #34906-ST5-003 both in hand I doubt you'll get an Acura answer.

Now somebody will undoubtedly pop in and tell you how you got ripped off paying $3.55 for a .49 bulb anywhere else. But for the "free" labor your got a bargin. If you can do Ford taillights the Insight are a snap :!:

HTH!

 

[Kevin Dougherty]

I doubt you'll get an Acura answer.

oooooooouch!

 

[b1shmu63]

Went right over my head! :lol: :lol:

 

[Resist]

The dealership needed to use an Acura 12V 21W/5W bulb part #34906-ST5-003 because that's what was in stock and matched the wattage. Are there any significant differences?

Yea, the $3.55 overcharge.

 

[sputnik]

Yea, the $3.55 overcharge.

Aw Resist, you're just a ray of sunshine!

 

[Resist]

Resistance is Futile!

 

[Insightful Trekker]

LOL ! :lol:

But I like another pun better: Resist, its futile :badgrin:

 

[C-Walters]

bulbs

would using l.e.d bulbs use less voltage??

 

[Resist]

No but an LED bulb would last much longer.

 

[b1shmu63]

C-Walters, perhaps you meant would LED taillights use less wattage?

LEDs are used on some newer luxury models. They are good for life, have a truer color, come on faster, and use less wattage. In theory they could do better, but because of the variation of the voltage on the cars electrical system current through them has to be controlled. This is usually done with a resistor. The resistor wastes power. Still the LED comes out ahead. The power savings will not be worth while unless you are in a competition. (probably .2 to .5 percent)

The high mount tail light on the Insight is made up of multiple LEDs.

 

[ethicalpaul]

LEDs are used on some newer luxury models. They are good for life, have a truer color, come on faster, and use less wattage.

If they are good for life, then how come every semi I see with LED cluster taillights has around 1/2 of them burned out? This is a serious question--what is making these things fail?

 

[b1shmu63]

I've never seen one burned out around here.

My suspicion would be bad quality control. The LEDs are mounted on a printed circuit board. Likely 5 or 6 are connected in series on the board. If a solder joint fails on one, all those in series will shut off. Many modern LEDs have leads that are steel. This is done to reduce cost. The steel can rust and the rusting is accellerated by soldering flux if it is not properly cleaned off the board. If these assemblies are being imported from Asia there is a good chance that the boards are single sided, made of phenolic and do not have plated through holes. The solder may be substandard purity composed of recycled material from used computers. Bottom line is that properly designed and built LED circuits should last the life of the vehicle.

 

[boogetyboogety]

How fun... as I was reading the replies, I thought to myself "wait a minute, LEDs DO seem to burnout, I've seen truck lights with unlit elements..." and then came up on ethicalpaul's reply. b1shmu63's explanation makes a lot of sense, however.

One thing I've long suspected about about LED bulbs: Most tail-light housings have reflectors to augment the light from an incandescent bulb (which throws out light in a big ball shape from the bulb). The LEDs produce light that is best seen directly from in front of the bulb... so it seems to me, in many applications, changing incandescent bulbs to LEDs results in reduced apparent light output to those behind your car...

 

[bagwell]

bringing up an old thread cuz I just ordered LED brake/tail light replacement bulbs....some have 90 degree wide angle LEDs as well as the rear firing LEDs.

will report back here with pics

 

[c-fors]

will report back here with pics

Looking forward to the report!

 

[Dougie]

Prius trivia: The glove compartment doesn't have a switch to turn on or off its LED light.