If you’ve replaced your Audi’s incandescent bulbs with LEDs, you might be plagued by annoying “bulb out” warnings on your dashboard. This is because LEDs draw less current than traditional bulbs, triggering the car’s CANbus system to flag an error. This guide explores a solution using VCDS to effectively defeat these warnings without resorting to costly replacements or complicated coding. We’ll cover a simple hardware fix involving a relay and resistor (or a small bulb) to trick the system.
One common approach is to wire a relay and resistor (or a small bulb) in parallel with the LED bulb. The added resistance simulates the current draw of a traditional bulb, satisfying the CANbus system and eliminating the error message. The wiring diagram provided illustrates how to connect the relay and resistor. Placement of these components is flexible, but for reverse lights, installation within the tailgate is often convenient. Securely mounting them to the tailgate with screws and using cloth tape to prevent rattling ensures a clean and quiet installation.
While this method generally works well, some users have reported intermittent dashboard errors, particularly during daylight hours when the car’s light sensor deactivates unnecessary lights. For instance, selecting reverse gear in bright sunlight might trigger an error and temporarily disable the reverse lights. Driving a short distance and re-engaging reverse often restores functionality, though the error might persist on the dashboard. Cycling the ignition typically clears the error. This issue seems less prevalent at night or in low-light conditions.
An alternative solution using a capacitor instead of a resistor is currently being explored. The capacitor, wired in parallel like the resistor, aims to prevent the bulb out flashes that occur with each CANbus check. Initial testing is promising, suggesting the capacitor may offer a more stable fix. Further updates on this method will be provided after thorough testing. This demonstrates that effectively defeating bulb out warnings in Audis often requires a bit of experimentation and troubleshooting. While the relay/resistor combination offers a viable solution, exploring alternatives like capacitors might lead to a more reliable and consistent fix.
