Reversing bulb option please.

Oceansplasher

Active Member
Mar 1, 2016
69
2
Hi, I know I have seen a thread on this before, but can someone point me in the direction of improving my rear reverse light as the standard one is crap, and barely lights the back up!! I need to see where i'm reversing. Also, can you direct me on how to change it please. A link to an ebay or amazon shop would be great. Thanks a lot guys.

The car is a mk3 2015 Leon FR 150
 

Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
2,614
906
I bought this

How much brighter is it? Looks good. No welding and ten seconds to instal...

If you pull the lights out at the right angle they come out ok. If you don't, you might break them.
 

zedlor

Active Member
Aug 24, 2017
298
123
Warrington
How much brighter is it? Looks good. No welding and ten seconds to instal...

If you pull the lights out at the right angle they come out ok. If you don't, you might break them.
It is brighter, I couldn't say how many nits exactly...but I can see a bit more when I'm reversing anyway!

My left hand light came out easy because whoever has had it out before has somehow snapped the metal screws so half are stuck in the body...thanks previous owner!
 

Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
2,614
906
My left hand light came out easy because whoever has had it out before has somehow snapped the metal screws so half are stuck in the body...thanks previous owner!

Would be easy done.
 

SteveGSXR600K1

Active Member
May 6, 2017
572
187

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EFF11

Active Member
Jun 16, 2016
138
38
If you have OBDeleven your can adjust the intensity of the reverse light

Module 09 (Code 31347
Adaptation
Select - Leuchte29RFL RA64
Sub - Dimmwert AB29
Change the desired value. Maximum 127
 

SteveGSXR600K1

Active Member
May 6, 2017
572
187
Thanks for all replies. Wow Steve, that looks super bright!! Steve, is there any chance of a "how to guide" ? Is it tricky to DIY?
In principle it's an easy swap over, but you have to be careful as the bulb holder cluster doesn't come out easy and feels a bit fragile to me. You've got to make sure you release the two clips and pull the cluster out evenly. If you pull one side more than the other, it will get stuck. When putting the cluster back in, there's two spigots/pins that you need to line up, and again push in evenly.

Don't make the mistake I made when changing my friends bulb over. I replaced it, got her to put the car in reverse and it wouldn't come on. I tried all sorts......... and then after a lot of f'ing and blinding, I remembered you have to close the boot to make any of the tailgate lights work!
 

Oceansplasher

Active Member
Mar 1, 2016
69
2
Thanks for all great replies and advice. Time to get it sorted I think!! Sick of being in the dark in reverse!
 

black_sheep

Active Member
Mar 10, 2013
1,256
585
That's mental! Why would you not want it maxed out?

If it’s a filament bulb, it will burn brighter, generating more heat, but also making the filament more likely to fail.

If LEDs are fitted I would imaging the extra heat will also have a detrimental effect on the smd electroluminescent panel, this reducing its life and increasing the likelihood of failure.
 
Last edited:

black_sheep

Active Member
Mar 10, 2013
1,256
585
In principle it's an easy swap over, but you have to be careful as the bulb holder cluster doesn't come out easy and feels a bit fragile to me. You've got to make sure you release the two clips and pull the cluster out evenly. If you pull one side more than the other, it will get stuck. When putting the cluster back in, there's two spigots/pins that you need to line up, and again push in evenly.

Am I missing something here? The reverse bulb is replaced by removing the rear cover, and removing the bayonet bulb holder on both my 2013 pre-FL 5dr and 2018 FL ST - the bulb itself is then a further bayonet fitment. This is literally a 1 minute task.
 

SteveGSXR600K1

Active Member
May 6, 2017
572
187
Am I missing something here? The reverse bulb is replaced by removing the rear cover, and removing the bayonet bulb holder on both my 2013 pre-FL 5dr and 2018 FL ST - the bulb itself is then a further bayonet fitment. This is literally a 1 minute task.
No you're not. All I was making clear was to be careful.
 

ajg74

Active Member
Dec 9, 2016
121
4
Manchester
I bought the bulb everyone on here recommended on EBay for mine when I got it, also replaced the rear indicator bulbs as well. The reversing bulb worked great for about 3 months and then started flickering when on so I went back to the standard bulb. TBH it was only a bit more helpful when reversing, but not by much at all unlike our i3 which has 2 led reversing lights from the factory which are brighter than some cars headlights!
 
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Seriously?

Active Member
Apr 20, 2018
1,237
831
I bought mine from AutoBulbsDirect:
https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/382-twenty20-cree-led-12v-p21w-canbus-bayonet-bulb.html

On offer for £12.75 at the moment too, which is a decent price. I paid similar for one off eBay the first time round and it failed within a year. The ABD one is much brighter and produces a cleaner white light too.

+1 for the ABD bulb. Fitted to SWMBO's ST when it was a week old, no problems 8 months later and the difference between it and the factory fit item is literally like day and night
 
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