cluster gauge problems
 

So right after I changed the cluster lights to red 194 LEDs, I took it for a short drive. After 5 minutes I notice some sort of burning smell coming from the cluster. When I got back home, I took it apart again and everything seems fine. The bulbs and the housing/electrical panel were only a little bit warm. The smell seems to come from the bulbs and around that area.

what would be causing this? these are the bulbs I got except in red : http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-x-T10-194...5.m1851&_trkpa


I've also noticed the lights go dimmer from when i first turn them on to after a few minutes drive.

http://s13.postimg.org/drhtc8bp3/162...07855196_n.jpg
http://s12.postimg.org/lvfekuhst/162...35002535_n.jpg

Any help is appreciated.

Most LED bulbs are crap. Chances are after a few surges more and more of the LED elements will burn out. Proper cooling ie heatsink is required for LED. Traditional bulbs can handle voltage surges way better than LEDs.

Oh I forgot to mention they go bright again when I turn them back on after 10 minutes or so.

It sounds like they're overheating.

Damn...I'll have to find normal 194s now. I think the LEDs I got are shitty quality :okay:

You rather have ones with 1 or 2 LEDs but a good heat sink rather than those cluster of LEDs. Good ones cost about $15+ you can get them from Powerbulbs.. for least pain the butt just stick with normal ones, they are a few cents at Lordco and will last longer, especially in a car that is not designed to have LEDs.

superbrightled.com

i got mine.. havent overheated yet.
its been almost a year. bright as fuck

If they work but are just a bit dim you could leave them, I'd take a look at them to check for any signs of burning though, the last thing you want is for your car to light on fire because of some LED's. If you have a dimmer for them try turning it down and see if they stay more stable.

I'll try to dim the lights using the dimmer switch in the meantime and see how that goes

Might also be defective LED's shorting out internally or something.

I had the same thing but for turn signals. Was bright for initial startup then gradually got more orange and dimmer, burning smell in engine compartment.

Ordered new ones and they barely get warm, everything works fine.

If you bought 10, no harm in swapping them out and trying a different pair

If your in the vancity area; I like to get my led's from these guys.

LED Lights & Parts.
3695 E 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5M 1C2
Telephone: (604) 559-5000
Ask for Rouzbeh

There prices are pretty decent imo