[MD_X]

I want to upgrade my DRL bulb, 9005 to bright white LED. Any recommendations, and do they need to be canbus? Will I receive and error if I change them out to non canbus bulb, or is that only for fogs that needs canbus?

I saw a bunch of kits on Amazon, ranging from 25-175bucks...so I'm a bit confuse, what's everyone using out there that works, and doesn't cost an arm/leg.

 

[2013silvrmdx]

yes, they are canbus
I tried installing LED bulbs without the load resistor and it threw an error code straight off the bat.
So i had to take them out, order the load resistors and reinstall..
They have been in for 60 days and all good so far.

I used the 25$ versions off ebay.. they are a touch blue and not overly intense.. but a lot nicer that the yellow halogens.

 

[MD_X]

I got some new led bulbs and error cancelling harness but I still get an error. Maybe I picked up the wrong set.

so could someone recommend which harness I should get that's proven to work on our MDX?

 

[Priscillababy]

I got some new led bulbs and error cancelling harness but I still get an error. Maybe I picked up the wrong set.

so could someone recommend which harness I should get that's proven to work on our MDX?

VLEDS.com used to be my goto LED light bulb/resistor kit supplier until some of the very powerful LED bulbs started causing problems on 2009 MDX (had to replace a few sockets b/c some of their LED's are too powerful....:3:

superbrightleds.com (formerly my 2nd goto LED supplier) is now my PRIMARY goto LED supplier- come to think of it, I've NEVER had a problem with fitment/performance on any of their LEDS (many of which were installed on my 2nd gen. MDX back in 2009 and are still holding up today in 2017!) or recommended resister kits that I've purchased from them (they're located in the Midwest I believe- MO....and they ship very fast!!!) with that being said, I recommend that you consider this product that they have (fits 2nd gen. MDX's per their website):

Headlight Load Resistor Kit - 9005 LED Headlight Bulbs
Part Number: 9005-RL650-HUPC: 847781050745
https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...istor-kit-9005-led-headlight-bulbs/2173/5074/

<img src="https://d114hh0cykhyb0.cloudfront.net/images/uploads/headlight-load-resistor-kit-9005-connection-store0.jpg" width="50%" height="50%"><img src="https://d114hh0cykhyb0.cloudfront.net/images/uploads/headlight-load-resistor-kit-9005-connection-detail0.jpg" width="42%" height="42%">

good luck! :29:

*on a sidenote, over the years I've gone through about 4-5 different sets of LED (9005 DRL) replacement bulb options (from the $30 eBay ones, to the $50 VLEDS, to the +$100 JDM kits sold on Amazon)...thus far only the JDM kit managed to (ONLY) last a little bit more than year- rather disappointing consider all the hype built up around their 'cooling technology' blah blah blah- never good to throw $100 down the drain....the cheapers one's only managed to last from anywhere in between a month to several months before they eventually crapped out....

complicating matters, is that our 2nd gen. MDX isn't exactly the easiest car when it comes to one changing out the DRL bulbs themselves- in most cases you pretty much have to remove the bumper, which means on EACH DRL replacement attempt on my 2009 MDX, I've had to pay the labor fee to an installer (usually a competent body shop that I frequent for things like this...)

still in search of a good, reliable, long life LED option, because I REALLY despise yellow stock bulbs (that Honda/Acura continues to put on their cars even up to now in year 2017- well I can give Honda a pass, but Acura aka 'Honda's luxury brand'?- completely unacceptable!!!!)

 

[mdxlife]

these resistors sometimes last very short period of time

 

[gwilki]

I'm simply curious. Is the objective to go to LED period? Or, is the objective better colour? If colour is the issue, there are much whiter bulbs available that don't bring with them the problems that resistors and bad quality LED's bring with them.

Here, for example

9005 (HB3) Bulbs

I'm not criticizing anyone who wants to change everything to LED. But, from what I've read in this thread and others, it seems that going to LED is something of a crap shoot in terms of price, quality and life span. So, I don't see the attraction over other, more tried and true options.

 

[Priscillababy]

I'm simply curious. Is the objective to go to LED period? Or, is the objective better colour? If colour is the issue, there are much whiter bulbs available that don't bring with them the problems that resistors and bad quality LED's bring with them.

Here, for example

9005 (HB3) Bulbs

I'm not criticizing anyone who wants to change everything to LED. But, from what I've read in this thread and others, it seems that going to LED is something of a crap shoot in terms of price, quality and life span. So, I don't see the attraction over other, more tried and true options.

definitely a matter of personal preference- I did go through a pair of (non LED) whiter halogen bulbs for my 2009 MDX's DRL's which actually never did fail- I just wasn't satisfied with their lack of overall brightness and therefore had them replaced with an initial pair of (eBay purchased) LEDS (9005) that eventually failed within several weeks! DOH!!

as for a warning of what type of LED (DRL for 2nd gen. MDX's) NOT to get, here's my latest DRL test run product that crapped out a couple weeks ago- while the brightness on this set was incredible- 6000K DRL LED product from Amazon emitting an advertised 7000 lumens of eye-popping, brightness- only held up for about 1.5 years- definitely a premature death/disappointment considering the $100 purchase price + approximately $100 install price....now I'm back to 'CHECK DRL' warning, while presently forced to drive around now with my low beams engaged to prevent the error from popping up....:crying2:

JDM ASTAR 7th Generation 7000 Lumens Canbus Error Free Anti-Flicker 9005 All-In-One LED Headlights, Xenon White
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019QZGWS8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71mo5aRVNNL._SL1500_.jpg" width="60%" height="60%">
<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71nhjMCTFGL._SL1500_.jpg" width="60%" height="60%">
<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71XnxMZAfHL._SL1500_.jpg" width="60%" height="60%">
<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71aFwX8quLL._SL1500_.jpg" width="60%" height="60%">
<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/715ovCc%2BolL._SL1500_.jpg" width="60%" height="60%">

I may give LED DRL's one more chance on my 2009 MDX BEFORE I potentially give up on LEDS entirely (for the DRL location) and settle on a simple (WHITER, non-LED) halogen bulb that will likely last until I sell/trade in my 2009 MDX (which I anticipate doing, no sooner than a couple years from now?)...:nerd:

 

[MD_X]

I'm simply curious. Is the objective to go to LED period? Or, is the objective better colour? If colour is the issue, there are much whiter bulbs available that don't bring with them the problems that resistors and bad quality LED's bring with them.

Here, for example

9005 (HB3) Bulbs

I'm not criticizing anyone who wants to change everything to LED. But, from what I've read in this thread and others, it seems that going to LED is something of a crap shoot in terms of price, quality and life span. So, I don't see the attraction over other, more tried and true options.

It's preference and I just like to tinker. I consider the incandescent bulbs that our cars are fitted with from the factory as old technology, and since I have the option to change them out, I'll try out LED's. Plus I like the crisper bright color, and at the same time it produce less heat. So I accept the challenges of some errors displaying on the dash, and finding solutions while testing new things, it will never be perfect, but that's the fun in trying out newer stuff.

 

[gwilki]

Tks to both of you for the explanations. I accept that incandescent bulbs are older technology, but to me, LED have a long way to go in this type of application before they are ready for the main stream. As I understand it, the issue for this type of application is that the LED is being pushed to high limits to get the output we want. In doing so, they put out a lot of heat - more than the incandescent they are replacing. I've done some work and research into LED for dive lights. To get the light we want out of them, using 12V batteries, the drivers push the chip. The only thing that saves the housing and the chip is that it is surrounded by water, which cools much more efficiently than air. If one of my lights is left on and it is not in the water, the LED chip fries quite quickly.

I understand, though, the fun and the challenge of trying lighting options. I've been doing that on rally cars for a very long time. Unfortunately, I am now at the point where I can no longer afford the experimentation of trying out questionable LED set ups until I find a good one. I'll leave that to you guys.

 

[zero2sixtyZ]

I will be switching to LED fogs on another car, but if I convert the fogs or DRLs on the MDX, I'll be looking at the Morimoto 2stroke LEDs from Retrofit Source. Around $120 ish, high quality, great reviews, and a trusted vendor. I'm not a fan of changing bulbs anymore, even though it's a bit easier in terms of access on an SUV... so I'd prefer to pay for a bit higher quality vs swapping more frequently.

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/led-lighting/led-bulbs.html

 

[MD_X]

I will be switching to LED fogs on another car, but if I convert the fogs or DRLs on the MDX, I'll be looking at the Morimoto 2stroke LEDs from Retrofit Source. Around $120 ish, high quality, great reviews, and a trusted vendor. I'm not a fan of changing bulbs anymore, even though it's a bit easier in terms of access on an SUV... so I'd prefer to pay for a bit higher quality vs swapping more frequently.

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/led-lighting/led-bulbs.html

interesting, besides the price, what exactly do these bulbs do that stand them apart from any other bulbs? I tried to read TRS's page but I didn't see anything describing how or why these are a good choice.

 

[gwilki]

zero2sixtyz: Before you change out your MDX DRL bulbs for the 9005 2stroke, be aware that Retrofit says on their web page that these bulbs are not for use as DRL.

 

[MD_X]

Our MDX DRL is not a hi/lo system, correct? it's either on or off?

 

[gwilki]

I believe that our DRL is a low voltage system, using 9005 bulbs, which are essentially a high beam bulb that the low voltage system under drives. Looking at the Retrofit site, it looks like the 2stroke may be OK for our DRL's after all. It's a bit confusing to me, but since I'm not looking to put them in, I have no dog in the fight. Disregard my previous post, please.

 

[zero2sixtyZ]

interesting, besides the price, what exactly do these bulbs do that stand them apart from any other bulbs? I tried to read TRS's page but I didn't see anything describing how or why these are a good choice.

Usually most products on TRS' site are of high aftermarket or OEM quality. Seen a decent amount of proper retrofit builds use Morimoto HID bulbs/ballasts with great results. Obviously, no direct experience with the LED line, so YMMV. I'd rather have the TRS support (they were great when going to CBIs on my other car), testing and specs to reference vs going with one of the brands on Amazon.

zero2sixtyz: Before you change out your MDX DRL bulbs for the 9005 2stroke, be aware that Retrofit says on their web page that these bulbs are not for use as DRL.

Both posts noted, thank you. Never researched the DRL > LED jump, but it is good info. Like MD_X said, since it is dedicated and an on/off setup, we should be okay.

 

[MD_X]

Just wanted to share with you guys a picture of the LED bulbs I replaced on my car for DRL. These are really cheap 10buck bulbs that I wanted to try out before buying 100 dollar bulbs. They listed the bulb as 6000k but they are actually more (8000K) a bit purple. It does give the car a more updated look over the incandescent bulbs.

 

[Priscillababy]

Just wanted to share with you guys a picture of the LED bulbs I replaced on my car for DRL. These are really cheap 10buck bulbs that I wanted to try out before buying 100 dollar bulbs. They listed the bulb as 6000k but they are actually more (8000K) a bit purple. It does give the car a more updated look over the incandescent bulbs.

Looks great- are the $10 LED bulbs (for your DRL fitment) still holding up/even working? What's the make/model etc. (if they are still working)?

For the potential '$100' DRL LED bulbs, what product were you considering getting? I'm still on the search for a reliable, high performing DRL LED bulb (for 2007-2013 Acura MDX's) that will last a decent amount of time!! :nerd:

 

[MD_X]

hey Priscilla - Yea the bulbs are still holding out and working. I just checked again, and the bulbs are 7000k, not 6000k as I thought, but they illuminate a bit purpleish. Here's a link to them, keep in mind, they are cheapies. 2x 7000K Cool White HB3 9005 High Power 30W LED Fog Driving DRL Light Bulbs -



The100 bucks were the JDM Astar or OPT7 from Amazon, and they are error cancelling.

 

[Priscillababy]

hey Priscilla - Yea the bulbs are still holding out and working. I just checked again, and the bulbs are 7000k, not 6000k as I thought, but they illuminate a bit purpleish. Here's a link to them, keep in mind, they are cheapies. 2x 7000K Cool White HB3 9005 High Power 30W LED Fog Driving DRL Light Bulbs -



The100 bucks were the JDM Astar or OPT7 from Amazon, and they are error cancelling.

Thanks- I may be leaning towards having the PIAA halogens (that you had referenced in the other DRL bulb thread) installed on my '09 MDX to replace the stock DRL's- I do believe that if that part fits, that I'll get much longer bulb life out of those in comparison to the DRL's...btw- I'm pretty sure that the JDM Astar's that you're and/or you were considering are the same one's that had prematurely crapped out on me this past Spring- while they give off incredible light and definitely were effective at cancelling out any errors, they only lasted barely half a year before they died (#more-$$-thrown-down-the-drain!):crying2:

 

[skirmich]

I never liked the "LED" look in a reflector housing so the color change just looks odd to me, Newer cars are doing LED strips which indeed look modern and nice but that its impossible with the 2G MDX Setup so I did not bother with LEDs on the DRLs.. On the fog lights though? I wish there was a setup to match my 5500K HIDs but they only seem to cover the 6000K range and that looks bluish not super White as my Low Beams.

I am using Silvania Ultra Star Halogens on my DRLs and they look as white as halogen will go at 6V, I am pretty happy with them and I know they will last a ridiculous amount of time.