Adding extra back lights to Audi A3 8p 2012 Sportback

Haukur

Haukur

It’s complicated!!!
Joined
Jan 18, 2020
Messages
16
Reaction score
4
Points
3
Location
Mülheim an der Ruhe
Hi there
I have an Audi A3 sportback 2012 (8p)
And the brightness of the backing lights are awful and instead of trying for a brighter lightbulb i was thinking about adding two led light strips that would be connected to the existing light.

This is my first attempt at anything with this car and have been told that it has a complicated censor system and it can’t be done
Is this right?
If anybody knows pls help me out here
Regards
Haukur
 
You cant just connect a LED strip into a lightbulp place. The CANBUS system will detect a change in power draw and gives you an error on the dash.

And 2012 models already have a LED bar? Or do you mean the reverse light?
 
Last edited:
What model do you have? 2012 led bar lights are really bright and I cant imagine wanting to do anything extra to them
 
Thanks for the responses,
No sorry, I do not have leds, but I want to add two strips back there, either through relay independent of other lights on/off from dashboard, but would prefer that to be able to do that it would need the backing lights to be on
Audi A3 1,2 (8p) automatic, bensin 2012
 

Attachments

  • C45CF373-0C46-4B57-A3A8-79E40B380BAD.jpeg
    C45CF373-0C46-4B57-A3A8-79E40B380BAD.jpeg
    167.3 KB · Views: 208
How do you have a 8P - 5 door from 2012 without LED backlights.

Did the previouse owner swap them out for older models? All 8P's from 2008 come with LED backlights from factory dude.
It's part of the facelift model.

I reckon you have a older model from 2003 - ~2008.
Do you have a pic of your ride?
 
Haukur said:
Thanks for the responses,
No sorry, I do not have leds, but I want to add two strips back there, either through relay independent of other lights on/off from dashboard, but would prefer that to be able to do that it would need the backing lights to be on
Audi A3 1,2 (8p) automatic, bensin 2012
Click to expand...

Those are the led lights in your photo?
 
Haukur said:
Thanks for the responses,
No sorry, I do not have leds, but I want to add two strips back there, either through relay independent of other lights on/off from dashboard, but would prefer that to be able to do that it would need the backing lights to be on
Audi A3 1,2 (8p) automatic, bensin 2012
Click to expand...

If the care in the attachment is your care you already have LED backlights...
 
If you find someone with vcds you can alter the coding and make them a bit brighter
 
henkkeumus said:
How do you have a 8P - 5 door from 2012 without LED backlights.

Did the previouse owner swap them out for older models? All 8P's from 2008 come with LED backlights from factory dude.
It's part of the facelift model.

I reckon you have a older model from 2003 - ~2008.
Do you have a pic of your ride?
Click to expand...
I
 
Mine is an 2008 8p, I have adapters with OE led 2012 lights and they are ****** bright.
I have changed them now for smoked Depo lights and they are still bright
 

Attachments

  • 20191103_171342.jpg
    20191103_171342.jpg
    1.6 MB · Views: 198
You have already what we call the "led lights" They are not illuminated by bulbs, well, the main outer "circle" of "leds" aren't, the other bulbs stop tail are one bulb that gets brighter when the brake is applied damn clever eh!! the reverse bulb can be changed. Also with vcds you can activate the fog light to work like a braking light
 
[09-Central Electrics]
[Coding-07]
[Byte 12] set to HEX36

Makes the inner and outer LEDs even bright.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LEE69
Lol No it is a genuine 2012 according to the papers, I think the problem is that it is made in Germany and it was made after an order , here if you buy a car you have an detailed ordering system that includes almost anything and like 95% of the car can choose interior, led lights or normal, running lights or no ec.
It’s very complicated and long waiting time
 
Haukur said:
Lol No it is a genuine 2012 according to the papers, I think the problem is that it is made in Germany and it was made after an order , here if you buy a car you have an detailed ordering system that includes almost anything and like 95% of the car can choose interior, led lights or normal, running lights or no ec.
It’s very complicated and long waiting time
Click to expand...

That's like everywhere mate, I'm from Holland :yes:
 
LEE69 said:
You have already what we call the "led lights" They are not illuminated by bulbs, well, the main outer "circle" of "leds" aren't, the other bulbs stop tail are one bulb that gets brighter when the brake is applied damn clever eh!! the reverse bulb can be changed. Also with vcds you can activate the fog light to work like a braking light
Click to expand...

Without wishing to complicate things , I have the later Facelift “LED style” lights fitted to my Sportback and am a bit confused by your statement.
The outer “LED” bit of each rear lamp (which comes on when it’s dark) is like a lighting bar with a single intensity of light (albeit which can be altered with VCDS) , but all the other bulbs , turn signal, fog lamp, reverse and brake lights are all single filament conventional halogen bulbs of the same type , P21W , which are either on or off........they don’t get brighter?
 
Yes we call the later led style leds, they are not leds though as you say. oh bum i totally agree getting mixed up with pre-facelift lights that do that ( the ones without the "leds") ta for noticing :)
 
He may be referring to the Backing Up light as a lot of countries do, The UK calls it a Reversing Light.
 
Nessy said:
Without wishing to complicate things , I have the later Facelift “LED style” lights fitted to my Sportback and am a bit confused by your statement.
The outer “LED” bit of each rear lamp (which comes on when it’s dark) is like a lighting bar with a single intensity of light (albeit which can be altered with VCDS) , but all the other bulbs , turn signal, fog lamp, reverse and brake lights are all single filament conventional halogen bulbs of the same type , P21W , which are either on or off........they don’t get brighter?
Click to expand...
They can get "brighter" or "darker" when you make use of resistors between te cable and light itself.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn ONEPLUS A5010 met Tapatalk
 
LEE69 said:
Yes we call the later led style leds, they are not leds though as you say. oh bum i totally agree getting mixed up with pre-facelift lights that do that ( the ones without the "leds") ta for noticing :)
Click to expand...

Of course , I get it now!
The old (pre-Facelift non-LED ) lights indeed have twin filament bulbs, 5W for the tail light part and then 21W for the brake....
I have enabled fog lights as brake lights on my car (using VCDS of course) and so have 3 bulbs each side that light up when braking (as well as the hi-level brake light ) , they are bright!
I have also fitted proper LED bulbs for the reversing light section and they are incredibly bright.
Compared to the old rear lights that my car originally had , the Facelift ones are I think , considerably brighter..
 
  • Like
Reactions: tcardio
I have the same setup as Nessy with 6 led bulbs as brake lights. the 6 led bulbs for braking are almost crazy bright. I also have the led reverse lights and those are plenty bright to reverse. Adding an LED strip is so unnecessary and problematic and in the end will look naff. So, go to TRUPS website or DeautoLED and get some LEDs. lifetime replacement makes it a nobrainer
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nessy
henkkeumus said:
How do you have a 8P - 5 door from 2012 without LED backlights.

Did the previouse owner swap them out for older models? All 8P's from 2008 come with LED backlights from factory dude.
It's part of the facelift model.

I reckon you have a older model from 2003 - ~2008.
Do you have a pic of your ride?
Click to expand...
Sucks that the 3 doors dont come with LEDS that raceism :(

Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: henkkeumus
e9_mustii said:
Sucks that the 3 doors dont come with LEDS that raceism :(

Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Its kinds the reason I never got a 3 doors.

I'd loved to see leds from factory there.. unfortunatly...

Verstuurd vanaf mijn ONEPLUS A5010 met Tapatalk
 
E44E52DD A5D4 4C23 AF12 64F9F4554771
HÍ there guys
You are right I am talking about reverse lights,
And I can assure you that there light bulbs in there not leds
My original question was can I connect a led strip maybe use power from lighter through relay?
 
  • Like
Reactions: SootySport
1390C950 72DC 4404 91E5 2189590E6F4B
8F760853 3D53 47F4 8D57 E25A4CF04338
With the correct bulbs in there , you really don’t need any extra lighting strip ......
This is my car , pics taken a few minutes ago , just cheap Chinese SMD LED bulbs for the reverse light in there which have been perfect for the last 2 years ....they are bright enough for me ......
 
lol but you are still talking like I have led lights, but I do not,
Like I said( wrote) yesterday to have led lights you have to order them and I think that was about €3000 extra
 
Is this your car?
Haukur said:
View attachment 196518 Audi a3
Click to expand...

if so then those are the later LED-style tail lights, as has been said by a few people above already .
The earlier type of rear lights have a different position for the white (clear ) segment of the lights .
Fit some LED bulbs in the reverse light bulb holders and you’ll be fine IMHO.....
 
I agree with everyone ,lol.
All I’m saying is that Haukur appears to have the later, LED style Facelift lights (despite his comments to the contrary) and only needs suitable LED bulbs to give very bright brake lights/reverse lights/ fog lights /indicators *delete as applicable *
 
Nessy said:
I agree with everyone ,lol.
All I’m saying is that Haukur appears to have the later, LED style Facelift lights (despite his comments to the contrary) and only needs suitable LED bulbs to give very bright reverse lights*delete as applicable *
Click to expand...
Fixed it for you. :salute: I think some of us are confusing our German friend.
 
Nessy said:
I agree with everyone ,lol.
All I’m saying is that Haukur appears to have the later, LED style Facelift lights (despite his comments to the contrary) and only needs suitable LED bulbs to give very bright brake lights/reverse lights/ fog lights /indicators *delete as applicable *
Click to expand...

We’re all saying the same thing. He has the LED lights.

The reverse and indicator are not LED but can be upgraded...
 
Jees just read all this & left me feeling dizzy lol.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Haukur
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

mccrum
Adding Fog Lights
Replies
9
Views
1K
Cruiser89
Cruiser89
B
06 8P Sportback LED lights
Replies
17
Views
2K
Nessy
Nessy
Scoot Yo
Led lights
Replies
4
Views
873
LEE69
LEE69
KevinOS
LED Lights
Replies
43
Views
4K
Ash187
Ash187
bearder2006
led lights
Replies
14
Views
1K
pluves1
pluves1
Top
Back