LED Lights failed Again!

[steveatesh]

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.

[steveatesh]

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]

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

[steveatesh]

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..........

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.

[steveatesh]

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!