C

carl196506

New Member
Hello everyone. Can you tell me if any if you are using LEDs for head lights in you P38's.
My lights were fantastic, but when the bulbs blew I tried to replace like for like only ti discover they are not available. So I have H4 200% more light, which if I am honest could be described as candles. I live in the country side and I'm not a fast driver. However, if I go any slower I might as well get a head torch. Any advise or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Carl. (Newbie)
 
carl196506 said:
Hello everyone. Can you tell me if any if you are using LEDs for head lights in you P38's.
My lights were fantastic, but when the bulbs blew I tried to replace like for like only ti discover they are not available. So I have H4 200% more light, which if I am honest could be described as candles. I live in the country side and I'm not a fast driver. However, if I go any slower I might as well get a head torch. Any advise or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Carl. (Newbie)
Click to expand...
LED headlight bulbs will flag a bulb fail error unless you can find CAN BUS type.
Sorry, but if you cannot see with the standard bulbs you should seriously consider not driving at night.
 
Datatek said:
LED headlight bulbs will flag a bulb fail error unless you can find CAN BUS type.
Sorry, but if you cannot see with the standard bulbs you should seriously consider not driving at night.
Click to expand...
As a driving instructor my night vision is brilliant but the bulbs are rubbish. So I will keep looking and ask other experts for their opinions. But thank you for your imput
 
carl196506 said:
As a driving instructor my night vision is brilliant but the bulbs are rubbish. So I will keep looking and ask other experts for their opinions. But thank you for your imput
Click to expand...
If you think the bulbs are rubbish, you have either bought duff Chinese knock off bulbs or there is a bad earth perhaps. I have 2 P38's the headlights are more than adequate to hustle them around the rural lanes where I live. Are all 4 bulbs lighting on main beam? Compared to the headlights on my Transit or my sports car which make do with just a pair of H4 bulbs, the two H4's and two H3's for main beam on the P38 are brilliant. Never known a driving instructor give lessons at night so driving instructor or not is not relevant.
I have H4 LED bulbs in my tractor and they really are rubbish but they are only used to alert other drivers to my presence.
 
Last edited:
Datatek said:
If you think the bulbs are rubbish, you have either bought duff Chinese knock off bulbs or there is a bad earth perhaps. I have 2 P38's the headlights are more than adequate to hustle them around the rural lanes where I live. Are all 4 bulbs lighting on main beam? Compared to the headlights on my Transit or my sports car which make do with just a pair of H4 bulbs, the two H4's and two H3's for main beam on the P38 are brilliant. Never known a driving instructor give lessons at night so driving instructor or not is not relevant.
I have H4 LED bulbs in my tractor and they really are rubbish but they are only used to alert other drivers to my presence.
Click to expand...
Most of my lessons are either early morning or late afternoon or evening. High beams are fab, just dipped. But again, thank you for your input
 
carl196506 said:
Most of my lessons are either early morning or late afternoon or evening. High beams are fab, just dipped. But again, thank you for your input
Click to expand...
If your comparing the lights to newer car lights then you may not get the results you want. Plenty of times when I've had a newer vehicle behind they've surpassed the bus with their lighting.
I'd check for resistance in the earth's. As said it could an actual problem on yeh bus🤔
 
Hi Carl, just to add on the UK I believe it is an MoT fail an possibly illegal to install an use LED replacement bulbs or headlight upgrades if the vehicle was not fitted with LED headlights in the factory.
Feel free to put me straight if I’ve misunderstood the legislation.
Tricky :cool:
 
From government;
Existing halogen headlamp units on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986 must not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp for light source and lamp not compatible.

This does not refer to complete replacement headlamp units which may be constructed with HID or LED light sources.
www.gov.uk

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - 4. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment - Guidance - GOV.UK

Headlamp, position lamps, daytime running lamps, stop lamps, indicators, hazard warning lamps, fog lamps, reversing lamps, lighting ‘tell-tales’, trailer electrical socket, electrical wiring and battery rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
 
Osram nightbreakers.
Standard fitment superb bulb

If you are having difficulty there are other possibilities such as your headlight beam adjustment is out of whack or interior of lenses need cleaning but that’s the bulbs answered.
Is the vehicle lifted by any chance?
 
carl196506 said:
Hello everyone. Can you tell me if any if you are using LEDs for head lights in you P38's.
My lights were fantastic, but when the bulbs blew I tried to replace like for like only ti discover they are not available. So I have H4 200% more light, which if I am honest could be described as candles. I live in the country side and I'm not a fast driver. However, if I go any slower I might as well get a head torch. Any advise or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Carl. (Newbie)
Click to expand...
Eye test.

Seriously, even standard bulbs in the countryside should be more than could enough to drive at normal speeds.

LED bulbs are technically illegal in P38. I've got Osram Silver Star in mine, I'd say they are very good lights. Mainbeam on a P38 should be really good as you essentially have an extra set of spot lights built in.
 
carl196506 said:
Most of my lessons are either early morning or late afternoon or evening. High beams are fab, just dipped. But again, thank you for your input
Click to expand...
Surely if you really are a driving instructor, you should have at least some clue on MoT regs and Construction & Use Regs.. i.e. you clearly don't know your subject matter if you are wanting to fit LED bulbs to a p38.
 
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