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Ed Nisley's Blog: Shop notes, electronics, firmware, machinery, 3D printing, laser cuttery, and curiosities. Contents: 100% human thinking, 0% AI slop.

Auto Parking Light LED Bulbs: FAIL

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After about eight years and a similar failure last year, this came as no surprise:

White W5W Parking Light - failed chips
White W5W Parking Light – failed chips

It’s a W5W “parking light” in the same fixture as the melty halogen high-beam bulbs (used as daytime running lights at half power), so it gets toasted on those occasions when we drive somewhere.

The adhesive holding the LED strip to the aluminum shell fossilized and came loose:

White W5W Parking Light - failed adhesive
White W5W Parking Light – failed adhesive

Now that I know what to look for, I’d get LED bulbs with chips soldered directly to the PCB, although it’s not obvious what holds the PCB to the aluminum frame.

I reinstalled the original incandescent bulbs.

Comments

2 responses to “Auto Parking Light LED Bulbs: FAIL”

  1. Mick King Avatar
    Mick King

    but but but LED will last forever! will save the world!

    Reply
    1. Ed Avatar
      Ed

      That pesky glue keeps getting in the way of World Domination!

      My box of CFL bulbs, many of which probably still work, goes to the next hazmat collection event. :sigh:

      Reply

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