Vantage V8 Headlight LEDs

[SK]

Hello All

Having a small issue with my Vantage V8. The front right headlight LEDs are not working. I noticed it was not working yesterday at the petrol station. When I got home and this morning it was working ok. I thought its one of those annoying intermitent problems, so went ot check it just now and it worked ok until I turned on the headlights and it went out. Now when I press the yellow button on key fob all it does it does flicker for a split second.

Anyone got any experience with these lights or had the same issue? Got it booked into Aston, but they said if its the LEDs then you can't replace the LED unit its a whole headlight replacement at about £950 + labour + VAT

Hoping my warranty covers it, it does state bulbs not covered but I guess LEDs are not bulbs?

Kind Regards
Scott

[toofastforme]

Yep, mine started to fade (odd for LEDs to do, but there it is). The whole unit was replaced under extended AM warranty. They might argue that it is not a mechanical part and so not covered. I argued that it was essential safety equipment (side-lights) and won.

[Greenslade]

I had a similar problem with the indicator led's- again intermittent but still very annoying.
was quoted £1236 for a replacement unit, not sure if that included fitting or not and it wasn't covered under the warranty i had through AM.
Still, someone else's problem now.....but then they did get the car for free

[BingoBob]

Stolen?

[SK]

Yep it's a weird issue this as when I left my office it was not working I get home and it's on. Annoying. I hope it's nothing more than a lose connection but no doubt they'll try and fleece me for £1500.

Warranty is not an Aston one but it has paid out so far for things (e.g diagnostics and sensors) so fingers crossed it does. I shall argue the case anyway. Let's hope these don't go in pairs e.g left one goes straight after!

[BingoBob]

Sounds like it's a common problem. Has been a common problem on other cars with high intensity LEDs, too. A lot of Audis had them replaced FOC when the LEDs failed.

Unlikely to be a wiring thing, I'm afraid. Much more likely to be a burnt out voltage regulator on the PCB.

[SK]

Spoke to warranty company they said they would pay out for anything but bulbs (e.g. Control units etc) but were trying to class LEDs as bulbs. They said let Aston deal with it and let them know what they find and shall give decision based on what the dealer say.

[BingoBob]

If they treat the LEDs as bulbs then all you have to do is power them one by one to prove that they haven't blown. They will fall into their own trap.

[X7LDA]

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

It's the PCB. Common issue - unless you want to go to the hassle (pay to remove, pay to fix (assuming you can get the board out without breaking the light) then pay to re-fit) that I've went through then the only real thing to do is replace the unit. I'm only going the route I am as I am out of warranty.

If you have a warranty of any sort it should be covered, however they will argue it. Just re-confirm it's not the bulbs and you will be fine.

[Kudos]

I had something similar, turned out to be water getting in. Eventually the whole unit failed

[Diablos-666]

Just a query really. Are there any headlight units available without the LED's?
The original 2003 press release car didn't have LED's and looked much nicer IMO.

[BingoBob]

@X7LDA: Is it fixed then? If so what was the problem? Voltage regulator?

[X7LDA]

Diablos - no, not on the V8 Vantage.

Bingo - still waiting on the wiring diagram, will be a few days at least before I know where I stand but will keep everyone updated.

[BingoBob]

Came across this site selling used left and right headlight:

http://astonmartinbits.com/models/5-V8-Vantage

[SK]

A quick update on the issue.

I have finally had the headlight replaced by Aston Martin as they confirmed the headlight LED strip was on its way out. However I have received the car back but the new headlight LED strip (when on) is a different in colour to the other one. The right hand one is blue/white colour but the new one is an yellowish colour. Has anyone ever had a headlight replaced and noticed the colour diiference in LEDs to the original?

I have spoken to the dealer who asked me to send them pictures and they have taken it up with the Aston factory. They did however confirm there is only 1 headlight type for the Vantage V8. I know mine has the HID headlights would this of made any difference to which headlight they ordered? Waiting for Aston martin to get back the dealer.

Any advice would be great.

The link below is a picture of the difference in color.

http://www.skwebsolutions.co.uk/userfiles/image/he...



Kind Regards
Scott K

[BingoBob]

Very obvious colour difference. Probably they changed LED suppliers in the time between the production of your original headlight and the replacement one.

[SK]

If they did change the supplier then it was not for the better as clearly they look rubbish. Also my car now looks odd when the light are on !!!

Guess I shall ask them to change the other one for free then as I can not have odd looking lights. At £1500 you'd think they would at least supply a matching one.

[BingoBob]

I would hope they would be sympathetic to your problem. It's not normal, as you say, and it's not good for the image of AM to have cars with heterochromia. Works for Bowie, less good on an Aston.

[CatalystV12V]

Mutant and Proud [if you're an Xmen fan you'll get it]

[BingoBob]

Jason, is that you? Made a full recovery? :P