Brake Lights Keep Burning Out

[nkoulban]

My brake lights (MK IV Sport) keep burning out after 3 to 6 months. I was tempted to replace these bulbs with LEDs but I have heared that LEDS may cause electrical issues if the car is not designed for them. Maybe, there is a particular brand of bulb that lasts longer? I'm just over having to change bulbs so frequently.

[h100vw]

As an avionics man, I can't think of any reason why LEDs would not work perfectly well in place of bulbs. If there was a current monitoring system to tell you the bulb had blown then that might be effected.

As long as they are 12V and not 24, stick them in and try them.

Gavin

[Golf Houso]

Also LED's won't heat up anywhere near as much as bulbs and will last much longer, plus they won't damage your electrical equipment through overheating.

My mk3 began smoking behind the position bulb of the headlight, I had to replace the wiring and socket. This overheating problem was the alleviated with using LED's.

They're fantastic! I recommend you use them. So long as they are white and not coloured to avoid being defective.

[VWEAPN]

i was about to post the same problem. my MK4 tail lights keep burning out every 3-6mnths also and its really annoying me. must be some electrical fault.

[nkoulban]

White not coloured?

You can order white or red LED tail lights, does the colour matter? Looks like I'll order a set to get around this issue. I can get them mail order or would Supercheap sell them? Again many thanks for the advice.

[qsilverza]

I think there was a known issue with brake lights, check Vwvortex.com

[Golf Houso]

Well my brake lights, and position lights and rear window break lights all seem to die quite often. I remember and my friend who's also on this forum also had this problem with his 00' Gti, the car's in storage though so its ok... Yeah LED's again they last longer and don't overheat, not to mention produce a more intense light due to the fact that they loose less energy through heat!