Lexus Has Nothing On My e30 (DIY LED Plate Lights)

[Schnitzer318is]

Well Lexus now have those cool white LED license plate lights right. Sooooooo I thought "I must have them." I've done this on all my other cars, so why not the e30. Went to work with my LEDs and soldering iron and after a couple of hours had the below result. Let me know what you think. I can do a complete DIY for anyone who is interested in doing it to their cars. Some are easier than others depending on the light housing. In one pic the light looks blueish... but in reality they are a cool white like most of the pics show. Cost = $1.20 (LEDs), and 2 hours of time.


I know you can buy LED replacement bulbs... they are overpriced and usually fail within 2 months. So I always make my own to guarantee no failure.

[Ray Smoodiver]

Oh hell yea! Write up kthx

[dude8383]

You know, I have been wanting to do this for the longest time.

Write up please!!

[brandondan1]

You know, I have been wanting to do this for the longest time.

Write up please!!

Me too, ever since I saw them on a Lexus. Trunk lights would be nice as well.

[AndrewBird]

I don't see any resistors. How did you manage that with only 4 LED's?

[James Crivellone]

I don't see any resistors. How did you manage that with only 4 LED's?

3 volt LED's in Series = 13ish volts?

[Van Westervelt]

Much better than the "bought" replacements. How does your Check panel like them?

[Schnitzer318is]

3 volt LED's in Series = 13ish volts?

Correctomundo... makes wiring much neater and cleaner than using resistors.

Much better than the "bought" replacements. How does your Check panel like them?

I have a lowly 318is so don't have the check panel to defeat. You'd probably have to use some sort of load emulator type thing.

Thanks for the compliments guys... I'll work on a writeup in the next few days. Do you guys know if I would put it here or in the DIY/Technical sections?

[scobaru]

how much would u want to do mine? they'd just plug and play right?

[allwheeldrive]

Very cool. I'd like to see a write up on it. What kind of soldering iron do you use?

[StereoInstaller1]

I wish I could find specifications on the damn check panel. All I really want is the fluid level indications, I really do not care about the "bulb out" stuff.

Loving the LED bulbs, man, great job.

Luke

[golde30]

why would any1 want to make their plate MORE visible...?

[Schnitzer318is]

^LOL... I just looks good imho. I don't ever speed outside of tracks so I don't worry about cops at all.

It's not for everyone, but I'll try and get that writeup on shortly. I've been busy building my box and audio setup finally.

The soldering iron is just a cheesy 15w/30w Radio Shack number. Not pretty, but it gets the job done.

Thanks for the compliments... and Luke I am in agreeance with the check panel being more of an irritation. I am glad I don't have one :)

[allwheeldrive]

The soldering iron is just a cheesy 15w/30w Radio Shack number. Not pretty, but it gets the job done.

Cool, i was just curious if you were using something a little pricier to do the tiny LED stuff.

:)

[E30Driv3R]

That is awesome i wanna do that on my new e30.