Aston Martin LED headlights
Discussion
I've seen previous threads about this and can update with some information about the cause.
My off-side LED sidelights failed so, as I was at the dealers for DB11 launch, mentioned the fail to my friendly service rep. There was most definitely a sharp intake of breath just like a dodgy plumber ... "Ah, I know that can be a little expensive ...", he said, "... around £1500 for an upgrade kit that replaces the original items (note plural) with a set of the black-rimmed type as found on the V8/12S". Mmmmm, sharp intake of breath on my part but went away thinking: upgrade, two headlights, could possibly convince myself that it's not too bad ... Yeah, right.
The formal quote came through the next morning. A few quid short of £2,000 that included fitting of ... ONE headlight unit! Step-in my mate Google and PistonHeads fora.
Here's the short of it. If you don't want to get ripped off by Aston (even the Works guys winced when I mentioned it during discussion) contact IER in Letchworth (grandly named) Garden City. I'll not give all the details here as that would be advertising but Google will be your mate as it was mine. Speak to Matt, tell him I told you first (I may need to go back for the other side!) and take your light unit to them. I didn't trust mine to the mail.
You'll need to remove the headlight yourself of course but that isn't too much of a task. Here's the potted version:
You need to take the under body (wheel arch) liner out after jacking up the car and removing the road wheel. That's quite straightforward to do though be aware that the liner extends to below the door pillar and forward to the front bumper/splitter (dependent on model) and under body tray. I keep my car clean underneath and there wasn't any crud in the way - it could be different if yours hasn't been kept so. You need to twist it a little to ease it out of the wheel arch.
If your car's a V8 then I believe the wheel arch will be a little less crowded than the V12 which has the air intake filters housed in them. The headlight is held in by three fixings that are again quite easy to remove when you get at them. If your car is a V12, then be prepared for a bit of fiddling as you remove the three bolts holding said air filter housing. The bolt heads run from front to rear and are quite difficult to access.
In total, should be less than a couple of hours effort.
My big tip: The front wiring loom runs below the headlight unit and is clipped to said item using three cable ties. Slide these "EdgeClips" off the unit as they aren't two-piece items. They could very expensive to replace - they only come in a 500-piece box and I'm still trying to find a couple for my car. Thinking they were (the usual) two-piece items, I chopped through the cable ties before realising they were injection-moulded items.
The failure problem (I'm told) is caused because manufacturing has gone "green". Lead-based solder is flexible - remove the lead during "greening" and you get a more brittle joint that (guess what) fractures due to vibration. I also had a blown LED and just like christmas-tree-lights and 70's trade unions, it's a matter of one out, all out.
Thank you Aston Martin for some good old design obsolescence, but an even bigger (and truly meant) thanks to the guys at IER.
My off-side LED sidelights failed so, as I was at the dealers for DB11 launch, mentioned the fail to my friendly service rep. There was most definitely a sharp intake of breath just like a dodgy plumber ... "Ah, I know that can be a little expensive ...", he said, "... around £1500 for an upgrade kit that replaces the original items (note plural) with a set of the black-rimmed type as found on the V8/12S". Mmmmm, sharp intake of breath on my part but went away thinking: upgrade, two headlights, could possibly convince myself that it's not too bad ... Yeah, right.
The formal quote came through the next morning. A few quid short of £2,000 that included fitting of ... ONE headlight unit! Step-in my mate Google and PistonHeads fora.
Here's the short of it. If you don't want to get ripped off by Aston (even the Works guys winced when I mentioned it during discussion) contact IER in Letchworth (grandly named) Garden City. I'll not give all the details here as that would be advertising but Google will be your mate as it was mine. Speak to Matt, tell him I told you first (I may need to go back for the other side!) and take your light unit to them. I didn't trust mine to the mail.
You'll need to remove the headlight yourself of course but that isn't too much of a task. Here's the potted version:
You need to take the under body (wheel arch) liner out after jacking up the car and removing the road wheel. That's quite straightforward to do though be aware that the liner extends to below the door pillar and forward to the front bumper/splitter (dependent on model) and under body tray. I keep my car clean underneath and there wasn't any crud in the way - it could be different if yours hasn't been kept so. You need to twist it a little to ease it out of the wheel arch.
If your car's a V8 then I believe the wheel arch will be a little less crowded than the V12 which has the air intake filters housed in them. The headlight is held in by three fixings that are again quite easy to remove when you get at them. If your car is a V12, then be prepared for a bit of fiddling as you remove the three bolts holding said air filter housing. The bolt heads run from front to rear and are quite difficult to access.
In total, should be less than a couple of hours effort.
My big tip: The front wiring loom runs below the headlight unit and is clipped to said item using three cable ties. Slide these "EdgeClips" off the unit as they aren't two-piece items. They could very expensive to replace - they only come in a 500-piece box and I'm still trying to find a couple for my car. Thinking they were (the usual) two-piece items, I chopped through the cable ties before realising they were injection-moulded items.
The failure problem (I'm told) is caused because manufacturing has gone "green". Lead-based solder is flexible - remove the lead during "greening" and you get a more brittle joint that (guess what) fractures due to vibration. I also had a blown LED and just like christmas-tree-lights and 70's trade unions, it's a matter of one out, all out.
Thank you Aston Martin for some good old design obsolescence, but an even bigger (and truly meant) thanks to the guys at IER.
Neil1300r said:
Was just looking for information to put in the FAQ's. Anecdotally mmore rear lights fail than front, usually due to water ingress
Ah, OK. Good job I don't use mine in the rain much then! 
. Dare I ask how much a replacement is?I've pinged the guys at IER and I think they'll be up for it.
morty1961 said:
Hi Neil thanks for the links by the way.... Do you know if Matt is still the contact?
That's what I will do but not looking forward to stripping half the front end to get the bleedin light out !!
Lee
Hi Lee, afraid I don't, but they're a small friendly bunch so if Matt isn't there, I'm sure it won't be a problem. Good luck removing the little blighter, they're a right royal PITA to get out - especially when the air box is in the way! 😖😎 That's what I will do but not looking forward to stripping half the front end to get the bleedin light out !!
Lee
Just remember, the pain is far less than buying new units from Aston!
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