LED Tails/Capacitor Question for 2004+ E53
 

I'm looking to go forward with a set of Solor LED tails for my 2004 E53.

Many mention needing a capacitor set to prevent the 'flickering' that results from the Adaptive Braking in the 2004+ models. The vendor "Light Werkz" is also mentioned as a good source.

The only thing I can find on their web site regarding capacitors of any kind is the following. It does not mention tail lights nor BMW nor the E53. Does anyone know if this is the right thing? Other recommendations? Would hate to get all this stuff and not be able to use it.

HID Projector Headlight Retrofit for Subaru, Honda, BMW, Scion and More | LightWerkz.net

Any info appreciated! TIA!
Rodie
--
2004 X5 4.4i
2003 M3

Just Email Cesar @ Lightwerkz using the contact form on their website I believe.


He is quick to get back to you and quick to ship, and will send you a paypal invoice for 25 bucks for the capacitors, plug them in and you're good!


-J

DIY version is here, if you are interested in that route:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...nics-shop.html

The Lightwerkz fix is the right thing. Ten minutes or less of your non-techy time and headache goes away. I did this just recently on my '03. If you can operate a pair of pliers and know the difference between green and black, you're good to go.

Thumbs up on service, communication and quality.

Def email lightwerkz i talked to the guy and he's real helpful and quick to respond with emails. Its too bad he sold his white x5 but if u email him he'll still help u out!

I'm interested in doing this to my 2004 x5 freaking tired of the "check rear light" message. Where can I get a set of these smoked tails that would give me no errors? Thanks in advance. I met Caesar as well. Very nice guy

ebay 00-06 BMW E53 X5 3.0i 4.4i 4.6is 4.8is JDM RED SMOKED 4PCS LED TAIL LIGHTS LAMPS | eBay

No, your problem is intermitent contact or old bulb.

The "flickers" people are talking here is really the LCM sending pulses to check for burn out bulb, but aftermarket LED will flick while regular incadescent won;t that's where capacitor will smooth out the pules/flickers.

I know that. I was just stating I'm tired of that error message with oem tails. If I go aftermarket I shouldn't have this problem. I do understand the aftermarket flicker but with the capacitor they should be fine. I just don't want any error message. Can anyone confirm that ebay set doesn't generated error codes once I mount them with capacitors?

Built in Capacitiors?
 

The seller sent me this -- so I didn't buy anything extra. Hope he is correct!

-- SNIP

Dear ,

there tail lights should have built-in resistors that should not cause the lights to flicker

Best Regards,

Brian Hua

:::a0KA0000004yLAbMAM:::
- x3racing

afaik, the resistor fix is only for error codes, brought on by the low power consumption of LEDs. The flicker issue is as posted above.

You MAY need to employ the capacitor fix, depending on age of vehicle.

Mine have been error free since install, but not sure if they are the same manufacturer.

Do you know the manufacturer of yours? Any flickering issues?

Talked with LightWerkz and they have the anti flicker capacitor parts, with the correct fitting for the LED tail light, but it is NOT featured in their webshop.

You need to order it through their [email protected] sales/support e-mail.

I will receive a set any day now and I will keep you guys updated on the progress, perhaps even with some pictures :thumbup:

Hey.

Its the same as PNG posted here (http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...il-lights.html) Sonar brand.


As reported in that thread also, one of my lights flickered during operation, but a homemade capacitor fix solved that. No issues since. Some mornings, there does seem to be condensation on the "lip" of the casing, but nothing on the inside of the lamp, to hurt the bulbs or electronics.

Still haven't fitted mine yet. Had to get the Dynavin HU installed first. Now it's next on the list!

As promised....this time with pictures :thumbup:

Follow these instructions if your LED tail lights flicker after installation:

1. Use provided red wire tap-in connectors; clamp one on the green wire, and the other on either of the two black wires. This is on the aftermarket wiring side, not on the OEM wiring. We do not want to modify that!
2. Plug in the red side of the capacitor to the green wire, and then the black side of the capacitor to the black wire.
3. Zip tie the capacitor neatly to the rest of the wiring.

The capacitor's can be bought directly from Caesar at Lightwerkz (the capacitors are not on their website but other great stuff is, so check it out):

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: LightWerkz.net
.

Had the flicker, got the capacitors -- and five minutes later: Problem Solved!

@X5_E53_N62
I have a question. I purchased and installed the led tail lights made by Spyder. The lights are fully functional, however the lights are constantly flickering unless I press on the brake pedal.

I have been reading all the posts and have all the necessary things required to fix the issue. I bought two 6800 25v capacitors from a local electronic store, needle nose pliers and the splice tabs. I see your pictures and it looks pretty simple to do. I unfortunately have no experience with any type of electrical work.

Would you please let me know how you got to the end result. Excuse my ignorance.

This is what I'm working with.

Tap the long leg of the cap to the power+ wire and the short leg to -ground wire.
.... Happy modding....

I contacted the vendor I bought my lights from and they sent me capacitors for free! Installed, no more flickering / error messages

Guys, i need some help, have replaced stock rear lights with LED ones and are all working fine apart from a slight flicker on the side lights. I have some capacitors, but unsure where to attach them (what wires). The offending light has a black wire (currently snipped - dont ask) and a green/white wire (see attached).

Where do i attach the capacitor to? Thanks in advance and afterwards.

I have noticed that the offending light only flickers when on full beam, if the side lights are just on, its fine and doesnt flickers, but once you switch full beam on, it flickers and its only the drivers (Right hand drive) side that does this. Its the light with the purpule arrow (stock photo). Any ideas?

In theory you need tap the positive lead of the capacitor into the green wire and the negative lead of the capacitor into the black wire but it is odd that one one LED flickers and only when high beam is on. It sort of infers that the LED tails may already include some form of capacitor in them and one of yours is faulty.

Are the LED tails intended for facelift cars (2004-2006) or are they for the earlier model?

Just want to thank everyone for their contributions to this thread.

I bought some LED tails, turned off the cold/hot monitoring via BMW Scanner 1.4.0 and soldered a 4700uf 25v capacitor to the green and black lines going to the brake lights.

They work perfectly!

The car is a 2005 and I bought non LCI tails.