Rear turn signals not LED
07-23-2018, 01:26 PM
#81
You guys need to look at the big picture here. Acura wants everyone to think they are at the same level as BMW, ok so you're following along right, soooo they put those incandescent turn signals in so that people with RDX's will not use them out of shame just like BMW drivers don't know their cars have them. Thereby psychologically tricking the public into thinking Acuras and BMW's are equal. There you have it, a parallel between Acura and BMW!!!!!
Alphabet soup confirmed.
Ok for real though, it's a stupid oversight and I'm sure there is a reason for it (because they could have cheaped out on many other areas on the interior if it was just money saving). If you want to see a real joke of a luxury SUV look at the 2G RDX. I don't think it's fair to say this 3G RDX isn't a solid attempt.
Alphabet soup confirmed.
Ok for real though, it's a stupid oversight and I'm sure there is a reason for it (because they could have cheaped out on many other areas on the interior if it was just money saving). If you want to see a real joke of a luxury SUV look at the 2G RDX. I don't think it's fair to say this 3G RDX isn't a solid attempt.
07-23-2018, 02:17 PM
#83
07-23-2018, 02:51 PM
#85
Way back around 1980, my brother in law purchased a new Chevy Caprice (I think) that used fiber optic cables to optically pipe the light from the brake/turn signals to two (one for each side) small indicators at the top center of the rear window trim so that the driver could see the burnt out status of their taillights in the rearview mirror. I distinctly remember him boasting about that feature.
07-23-2018, 09:26 PM
#86
Way back around 1980, my brother in law purchased a new Chevy Caprice (I think) that used fiber optic cables to optically pipe the light from the brake/turn signals to two (one for each side) small indicators at the top center of the rear window trim so that the driver could see the burnt out status of their taillights in the rearview mirror. I distinctly remember him boasting about that feature.
07-29-2018, 02:25 PM
#87
Burning Brakes
Bought the relatively expensive ($33.95) PY21Ws from ijdmtoy (took a week to get them while I was away and I installed them yesterday. They make a remarkable difference, but not perfect due to the reflector design of the RDX. An amber lens would be much better, with or without amber LEDs. Also, they are not at all attractive in the housing, but they get the job done. There is no hyper flash, so far. Some members have bought CAN BUS LEDs. They should NOT be used in the RDX. They can cause damage to the electronics. CAN BUS is only for European vehicles. The bulbs are plug and play. However, like any automotive bulb, use a cloth, or wear gloves when handling them. The oil from your hands will cause hot spots and lessen and/or burn out the bulb. The hardest part of the installation was removing the covers over the light housing bolts. The sides must come straight out toward you while prying them off; not to the side. There are a number of attachment points. The 2 bolts can be removed with a socket or Phillips screwdriver. Time will tell if these work out. Reviews have been seemingly good on Amazon, and on YouTube. I will report how they are working. Oh, the pins are 150°; not 180°, so check before buying other brands.
P.S. These bulbs have built in resistors, so they will draw a lot of current and get hot during prolonged use.. Other, expensive, or cheaper bulbs will require separate resistors (resistors get very hot too) to prevent hyper flash, or so I’ve read. VLEDS is a great company for auto LEDs and resistors, albeit at a price.
P.S. These bulbs have built in resistors, so they will draw a lot of current and get hot during prolonged use.. Other, expensive, or cheaper bulbs will require separate resistors (resistors get very hot too) to prevent hyper flash, or so I’ve read. VLEDS is a great company for auto LEDs and resistors, albeit at a price.
Last edited by Rexorg; 07-29-2018 at 02:40 PM.
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07-29-2018, 04:36 PM
#88
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I have a set of BoodLED 7507s that I got from Amazon for only $19.95 that claim to have built-in resistors.
As soon as I get my car back, I'll try them and report back.
I've got the gloves ready; specifically so as not to get any fingerprints on the original halogens. I have a feeling I may need them.
Post pix if you can. Thanks.
As soon as I get my car back, I'll try them and report back.
I've got the gloves ready; specifically so as not to get any fingerprints on the original halogens. I have a feeling I may need them.
Post pix if you can. Thanks.
07-29-2018, 04:54 PM
#89
Burning Brakes
Not perfect in what respect? Light distribution?... Hot spots?...
Is this because of the clear housing and you can see the LEDs vs. them being obscured?
Is this because of the clear housing and you can see the LEDs vs. them being obscured?
07-29-2018, 05:10 PM
#90
Burning Brakes
Not perfect in what respect? Light distribution?... Hot spots?...
Yes, because the silvery reflective coating is not on the bottom of the housing. No hot spots that I see since the bulbs are very bright, but not blinding unless you look at them from a few feet.
Is this because of the clear housing and you can see the LEDs vs. them being obscured?
Yes, because the silvery reflective coating is not on the bottom of the housing. No hot spots that I see since the bulbs are very bright, but not blinding unless you look at them from a few feet.
Is this because of the clear housing and you can see the LEDs vs. them being obscured?
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MI-RDX (07-29-2018)
07-29-2018, 05:23 PM
#91
Burning Brakes
I have a set of BoodLED 7507s that I got from Amazon for only $19.95 that claim to have built-in resistors.
As soon as I get my car back, I'll try them and report back.
I've got the gloves ready; specifically so as not to get any fingerprints on the original halogens. I have a feeling I may need them.
Post pix if you can. Thanks.
As soon as I get my car back, I'll try them and report back.
I've got the gloves ready; specifically so as not to get any fingerprints on the original halogens. I have a feeling I may need them.
Post pix if you can. Thanks.
I’ll try to post pics, but I’ve never had much success posting pics on forums.
07-29-2018, 05:35 PM
#92
Burning Brakes
I have a set of BoodLED 7507s that I got from Amazon for only $19.95 that claim to have built-in resistors.
As soon as I get my car back, I'll try them and report back.
I've got the gloves ready; specifically so as not to get any fingerprints on the original halogens. I have a feeling I may need them.
Post pix if you can. Thanks.
As soon as I get my car back, I'll try them and report back.
I've got the gloves ready; specifically so as not to get any fingerprints on the original halogens. I have a feeling I may need them.
Post pix if you can. Thanks.
07-29-2018, 08:13 PM
#95
Burning Brakes
They are indeed brighter and will be seen much farther when you use them as warning flashers, especially in foggy conditions, or in normal turning situations.. They also match the rest of the LEDs. Are they worth almost $34? To me they are right now until someone comes up with replacements as good for half the price. Buying any Chinese LEDs is a crap shoot, but the build quality is very good. Ijdmtoy states they are Samsung LEDs. I take that with a grain of salt.
07-29-2018, 08:24 PM
#96
Registered TL Owner
The OEMs are incandescent; not halogen, but you still need to use gloves, or wipe them with an alcohol wipe after handing them and storing. The OEMs seem very flimsy, but the silver coating seems it will not flake off with age like back in the day. I haven’t seen a bayonet bulb used in a vehicle for decades. Acura certainly went the cheap route with these.
I’ll try to post pics, but I’ve never had much success posting pics on forums.
07-29-2018, 08:30 PM
#97
When those bulbs fail it is usually the connections between the socket contact the LEDs, not the LEDs themselves. Remember the very first LED bulbs that uses clusters of 5mm LEDs.....you could always greatly enhance reliability by drilling a small hole and filling the innards with epoxy to stabilize the little leads inside. Newer bulbs use arrays of circuit boards soldered together. Going over the soldered joints and reflowing helps.
07-30-2018, 03:53 PM
#99
Burning Brakes
07-30-2018, 04:02 PM
#100
Burning Brakes
Update: I contacted ijdmtoy.com today. They assured me the LEDs I purchased will not overheat to a point where they will melt the socket and/or start a fire. They have used these LEDs on a couple cars at their place of business for awhile with no problems. However, it was made clear that you should not use the flashers for over 8 minutes or the special built-in circuit will cut the current and hyper flash will occur until they cool sufficiently. BTW, I am in no way encouraging anyone here to buy these bulbs, nor am I being compensated for promoting them.
08-01-2018, 10:02 PM
#101
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I tried my $19.95 special 'error-free' LEDs tonight.
They work fine but, are way too bright.
I tried painting the projector end silver to block that portion and just left the sides exposed. They actually look very attractive behind the clear lenses when they're off.
Still blinding so I'm back to the incandescent bulbs until I get another set.
I ordered ones with 4 Cree LEDs instead of the big array of unbranded LEDs.
They work fine but, are way too bright.
I tried painting the projector end silver to block that portion and just left the sides exposed. They actually look very attractive behind the clear lenses when they're off.
Still blinding so I'm back to the incandescent bulbs until I get another set.
I ordered ones with 4 Cree LEDs instead of the big array of unbranded LEDs.
08-01-2018, 11:11 PM
#102
Registered TL Owner
I tried my $19.95 special 'error-free' LEDs tonight.
They work fine but, are way too bright.
I tried painting the projector end silver to block that portion and just left the sides exposed. They actually look very attractive behind the clear lenses when they're off.
Still blinding so I'm back to the incandescent bulbs until I get another set.
I ordered ones with 4 Cree LEDs instead of the big array of unbranded LEDs.
They work fine but, are way too bright.
I tried painting the projector end silver to block that portion and just left the sides exposed. They actually look very attractive behind the clear lenses when they're off.
Still blinding so I'm back to the incandescent bulbs until I get another set.
I ordered ones with 4 Cree LEDs instead of the big array of unbranded LEDs.
08-02-2018, 10:34 AM
#103
Burning Brakes
Last edited by Rexorg; 08-02-2018 at 10:40 AM.
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MTD (08-02-2018)
08-02-2018, 10:52 AM
#105
Burning Brakes
I tried my $19.95 special 'error-free' LEDs tonight.
They work fine but, are way too bright.
I tried painting the projector end silver to block that portion and just left the sides exposed. They actually look very attractive behind the clear lenses when they're off.
Still blinding so I'm back to the incandescent bulbs until I get another set.
I ordered ones with 4 Cree LEDs instead of the big array of unbranded LEDs.
They work fine but, are way too bright.
I tried painting the projector end silver to block that portion and just left the sides exposed. They actually look very attractive behind the clear lenses when they're off.
Still blinding so I'm back to the incandescent bulbs until I get another set.
I ordered ones with 4 Cree LEDs instead of the big array of unbranded LEDs.
08-02-2018, 11:06 AM
#106
Burning Brakes
08-02-2018, 01:31 PM
#107
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They were at least twice the brightness of the incandescent bulbs which are quite bright.
I consider that unacceptable.
08-03-2018, 07:59 PM
#109
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A genius at Pep Boys convinced me that the Philips Ultinon LED 1156A will fit. It's P21W and ours is PY21W. The lugs are 180 degrees instead of 150 but, allegedly easy enough to force in.
They didn't work at all and I broke one trying to remove it so I can't return them; they're in the trash.
Decided to give the BoodLED ones another chance and left them in.
They are brighter than the incandescent bulbs but, I've changed my opinion from unacceptable to good enough.
I still have a set of different ones being shipped from China. I'll see if they're better, worse, or the same. I still wish Philips or Osram/Sylvania made PY21W instead of only P21W. I really prefer name brand parts.
Wish I were better at taking and posting pictures...
They didn't work at all and I broke one trying to remove it so I can't return them; they're in the trash.
Decided to give the BoodLED ones another chance and left them in.
They are brighter than the incandescent bulbs but, I've changed my opinion from unacceptable to good enough.
I still have a set of different ones being shipped from China. I'll see if they're better, worse, or the same. I still wish Philips or Osram/Sylvania made PY21W instead of only P21W. I really prefer name brand parts.
Wish I were better at taking and posting pictures...
08-03-2018, 09:13 PM
#111
I am wondering if adding a little resistance into the circuit would lower the intensity satisfactorily. I guess it depends on how much electronics the bulb incorporates. If its just resistors (in the bulb) it would work. If it has regulation, it might be able to compensate for the resistance added and thus keep the brightness the same.
08-03-2018, 10:14 PM
#113
Drifting
NHTSA still gets hundreds of complaints concerning HID and LED headlights, mostly from old timers like me. There is still a campaign to outlaw them. Most old timers have cataracts that cause night blindness and halos. HID and LED headlights are especially bothersome to them, but they don’t seem bothered using their high beams constantly and actually blinding other drivers.
I think the reason for the incandescent turn signal bulbs is purely stylistic. The designers wanted the clear center lenses to offset the red periphery of the rear light cluster, but that limited their choice of illumination. I see little value in changing that just so you can say there isn't an incandescent bulb anywhere on the vehicle.
I have a 15 year old MDX in the family fleet ( purchased new ), and I'm pretty sure I have never changed the incandescent turn signal bulbs. And yes, I use them. And so did my kids when I was hounding them about it as they learned to drive!
Last edited by Wander; 08-03-2018 at 10:19 PM.
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08-04-2018, 03:40 AM
#115
I bought some of the WeissLicht Spektrum LED bulbs from bimmian.com. There bright, and they come in red, which I like better then Amber. They also have a lifetime warranty. I installed them with the V-LED VLR resistors so they don't hyper blink.
https://bimmian.com/Accessories-for-...-Signal-Bulbs/
https://bimmian.com/Accessories-for-...-Signal-Bulbs/
08-04-2018, 05:25 PM
#119
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I'm actually headed down to the garage to reinstall the incandescent bulbs.
I'm planning a road trip and just feel more comfortable with them.
I only want to notify the cars behind me that I'm turning.
No need to alert the ships at sea and the UFOs.
I'm planning a road trip and just feel more comfortable with them.
I only want to notify the cars behind me that I'm turning.
No need to alert the ships at sea and the UFOs.
08-04-2018, 05:40 PM
#120
Burning Brakes
HID and LED headlights have specified parameters for light distribution, especially vertical cut-off, to minimize glare to other drivers. AFAIK directional signals do not have distribution specifications, but they probably have a maximum intensity. Blinding other drivers with illegal rearward facing lights doesn't enhance safety for anyone. Neither does blinding other drivers with illegal modification of headlights with aftermarket HID kits or whatever some brat thinks is "cool looking". And, yes, since we're blatantly age discriminating, I assert that is predominantly a fetish of the younger crowd.
I think the reason for the incandescent turn signal bulbs is purely stylistic. The designers wanted the clear center lenses to offset the red periphery of the rear light cluster, but that limited their choice of illumination. I see little value in changing that just so you can say there isn't an incandescent bulb anywhere on the vehicle.
I have a 15 year old MDX in the family fleet ( purchased new ), and I'm pretty sure I have never changed the incandescent turn signal bulbs. And yes, I use them. And so did my kids when I was hounding them about it as they learned to drive!
I think the reason for the incandescent turn signal bulbs is purely stylistic. The designers wanted the clear center lenses to offset the red periphery of the rear light cluster, but that limited their choice of illumination. I see little value in changing that just so you can say there isn't an incandescent bulb anywhere on the vehicle.
I have a 15 year old MDX in the family fleet ( purchased new ), and I'm pretty sure I have never changed the incandescent turn signal bulbs. And yes, I use them. And so did my kids when I was hounding them about it as they learned to drive!
