LED Lights failed Again!

LED Lights failed Again!

Author
Discussion

steveatesh

Original Poster:

4,893 posts

163 months

Friday 13th November 2015
quotequote all
Well, following last years MOT and post about the drivers side LED lights failing this year the passenger side has decided to join in the act (again!). So another full headlamp unit required at circa £1500 fitted (I'm not going to attempt the strip down and fix, not competent at all with that kind of thing).

So thats three in the six years of the cars life. The N/S went at 2 years old (warranty replacement) the O/S went at 5 years old, and now the N/S again at 6 years old. So after 6 years of ownership since new sidelights have cost me £500 per year.

Well done Aston for designing a real cash cow for yourselves.

jay2000

119 posts

100 months

Saturday 14th November 2015
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Is the a common problem with Vantage?

V8V Pete

2,496 posts

125 months

Saturday 14th November 2015
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Well it's common for Steve but I'm not sure about everyone else. My two Vantages have been fine over the last 2 years. Previous threads suggest it's not that rare.

Steve - is your Vantage garaged or does it live outdoors? Covered / uncovered? Powerwashed or hose only etc. etc.?

South tdf

1,518 posts

194 months

Saturday 14th November 2015
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My 2010 car had its 1st headlight unit replaced under warranty this year for a failed LED which coincidently was the 1st year it was left outside.

Ken Figenus

5,680 posts

116 months

Saturday 14th November 2015
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What is the LED guys - is it the main beam unit (like Porsche) or is it more the sidelight strips like on my Rapide? Sounds like someone should see if these things disassemble as LED's themselves are literally just pennies. What fails exactly as I'm handy with a soldering iron wink

Grumpydev

265 posts

100 months

Saturday 14th November 2015
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I believe its normally the power supply that goes pop due to water ingress or condensation - the issue isn't fixing the board, which wouldn't be that tricky, but the fact the unit is sealed (although not well enough apparently!), and really hard to take apart without damaging it.

steveatesh

Original Poster:

4,893 posts

163 months

Saturday 14th November 2015
quotequote all
V8V Pete said:
Well it's common for Steve but I'm not sure about everyone else. My two Vantages have been fine over the last 2 years. Previous threads suggest it's not that rare.

Steve - is your Vantage garaged or does it live outdoors? Covered / uncovered? Powerwashed or hose only etc. etc.?
It lives outside. I know that cars that live inside are not so exposed to the weather but it is a car and therefore be built to take the UK weather, or in fact any weather where they are sold.

No other car I have had has had this problem, in my opinion it is poor design, poor specification to the supplier or poor manufacture. Whichever it is for me it is not acceptable, three replacement units in six years, at £1500 a go (one replaced under warranty at two years).

Sorry, but although I factored in th car being more expensive to run than your non premium car I didn't expect to have to pay £500 per year for sidelights. Nobody should.

There are many complaints on here about headlamps fogging up or taking in water, Aston really should be ashamed.

Edited by steveatesh on Saturday 14th November 18:34

steveatesh

Original Poster:

4,893 posts

163 months

Saturday 14th November 2015
quotequote all
South tdf said:
My 2010 car had its 1st headlight unit replaced under warranty this year for a failed LED which coincidently was the 1st year it was left outside.
So for you, five year old car and a £1500 lamp. That's only £300 per year to replace your sidelight bulb. Definitely progress in automotive design rolleyes

V8V Pete

2,496 posts

125 months

Saturday 14th November 2015
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steveatesh said:
It lives outside.
Yeah, mine does too. Perhaps I'll put the money I don't spend on warranty aside for future headlight spend. Look on the bright side - better than a blown engine or getting murdered in Paris.

EdAMV8

7 posts

126 months

Saturday 12th December 2015
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Hi,

For information, should it help, I have repaired mine and was quite happy to have saved those 2000€.

In most cases it is "only" a matter of replacing one of the small bright white leds.

But to come to that point there is a lot to do from jacking the car to gently prying off the clear polypropylene lens.

eddie

Moonhawk

10,730 posts

218 months

Sunday 13th December 2015
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I had both sides go within a couple of weeks of each other last year.

From what I have read - it's a pretty common problem and a definite cash cow on behalf of AM.

£1500 (or £3000 in my case) for what is essentially a side light bulb change.......... rolleyes

steveatesh

Original Poster:

4,893 posts

163 months

Sunday 13th December 2015
quotequote all
Moonhawk said:
I had both sides go within a couple of weeks of each other last year.

From what I have read - it's a pretty common problem and a definite cash cow on behalf of AM.

£1500 (or £3000 in my case) for what is essentially a side light bulb change.......... rolleyes
I imagine It becomes apparent if you have the car over a few years rather than buy and resell within a couple years. Like I've said above I've had my car since new, six years, and it's needed three new lights. It would be quite possible for somebody to own it a couple years and "not have a problem" .

For me there is a definitive design or manufacturing flaw that AM should correct. It really increase the cost of ownership and to me is a bigger financial risk of owning one than the well discussed clutch problem.

EdAMV8

7 posts

126 months

Monday 14th December 2015
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You are right Steaveatesh, there is indeed a design issue. The driver board is rarely the problem: the driver stages are overdimensioned both for the white ramp and the orange indicator ramp.(by the way if the orange leds still work it definitely is a white led issue)

The issue is that the leds are wired in series so when one fails the entire ramp stops working. Although it is a common way to power leds, it implies being able to easily remove the ramps and change them (you would not be supposed to repair one of the leds).

In our case it is just unacceptable to have to bin an entire piece of technology just for a £0,05 led that has failed.

That's why I refused to pay that ridiculous price and did it myself. I did not save any money really, just put some aside for the next clutch job !

I have made the repair 6 month ago and it has worked fine since. Anyway I know how to deal with it now !

best regards,

triple5

751 posts

144 months

Monday 14th December 2015
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D
EdAMV8 said:
Hi,

In most cases it is "only" a matter of replacing one of the small bright white leds.
Hi Eddie, if/when I have problems with mine, I'll be having a go at repairing them.

Do you have a part number for the LEDs, and are they a good match with the original colour? Thanks.

EdAMV8

7 posts

126 months

Tuesday 15th December 2015
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Hi Triple5,

The part # you are looking for is LW A6SG from OSRAM. I sourced it from RS components in packs of 5 for €1,79 each (in France).

It is exactly the same shape although not as cold as the original. So it is slightly yellowish but you really have to know it to see the difference.

That one is 5100K but I am pretty sure they have colder one (6000 or 6100k)in the range. I did not have time to go through a full screening to find the exact shade of white, let me know if you know better.

best regards,

eddie

triple5

751 posts

144 months

Tuesday 15th December 2015
quotequote all
EdAMV8 said:
Hi Triple5,

The part # you are looking for is LW A6SG from OSRAM. I sourced it from RS components in packs of 5 for €1,79 each (in France).

It is exactly the same shape although not as cold as the original. So it is slightly yellowish but you really have to know it to see the difference.

That one is 5100K but I am pretty sure they have colder one (6000 or 6100k)in the range. I did not have time to go through a full screening to find the exact shade of white, let me know if you know better.

best regards,

eddie
Hi Eddie, I can see on the RS UK site LW A6SG, RS stock code 688-9578 which they say is 5600K, I don't see any other colour temp variants. I may order some just to see how they compare.

Would be good if we can identify an exact replacement, thanks for your help.


steveatesh

Original Poster:

4,893 posts

163 months

Tuesday 15th December 2015
quotequote all
EdAMV8 said:
You are right Steaveatesh, there is indeed a design issue. The driver board is rarely the problem: the driver stages are overdimensioned both for the white ramp and the orange indicator ramp.(by the way if the orange leds still work it definitely is a white led issue)

The issue is that the leds are wired in series so when one fails the entire ramp stops working. Although it is a common way to power leds, it implies being able to easily remove the ramps and change them (you would not be supposed to repair one of the leds).

In our case it is just unacceptable to have to bin an entire piece of technology just for a £0,05 led that has failed.

That's why I refused to pay that ridiculous price and did it myself. I did not save any money really, just put some aside for the next clutch job !

I have made the repair 6 month ago and it has worked fine since. Anyway I know how to deal with it now !

best regards,
Very interesting - do they have to be soldered into place? And how did you split the unit, I understand it is very difficult?
I would have a bash at this next time if it does not require lots of soldering!

EdAMV8

7 posts

126 months

Tuesday 15th December 2015
quotequote all
No, it does not require a lot of soldering. In fact that part is relatively easy considering it involves soldering a surface mount component for which you are supposed to use a specific tool. However, I found a way to do it with a standard station.

No the real pain is in taking the unit out of the car and of course in taking off the clear lens without breaking it.

I have written a full tutorial with lots of pictures and explanation. However it is in French. I do not have enough time at the moment but I will certainly translate it one day.

best regards,

eddie

floris

13 posts

74 months

Saturday 21st April 2018
quotequote all
EdAMV8 said:
No, it does not require a lot of soldering. In fact that part is relatively easy considering it involves soldering a surface mount component for which you are supposed to use a specific tool. However, I found a way to do it with a standard station.

No the real pain is in taking the unit out of the car and of course in taking off the clear lens without breaking it.

I have written a full tutorial with lots of pictures and explanation. However it is in French. I do not have enough time at the moment but I will certainly translate it one day.

best regards,

eddie
Hi Eddie,

I’m experiencing the same problem now and would be very interested in reading your tutorial. Are you willing to share it? Ideally the English version but if you just have the original in French, I can have a go with that and Google Translate :-).

Cheers,

Floris

Manwhoneverwas

598 posts

130 months

Saturday 21st April 2018
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Steve,

Sorry to hear about your issues with headlamp led's.
I believe the company on the link below can strip the headlamp unit and repair, I got their details from a guy on here a couple of years ago who got his repaired.
He said to speak to Matt in their office (bear in mind that was 2 years ago)

Good luck

Alan

http://www.ieruk.com