After 9 years and 94000 plus k’s, the LED running lights on one side of Rafe’s bumper had decided to fade on me and the driver’s side were significantly duller than on the other side. This is apparently a symptom of them on their last legs. I thought I’d get ahead of the curve while they were still dying and get some new ones and arrange to have them replaced just in case I got on the wrong side of the COF people.
Click on any Image to Enlarge

First port of call was to my trusty reliable friends at North Shore Diesel who have done the services on Rafe since new, to see what the trouble was. Within 20 minutes or so, their workshop manager, Nandra had narrowed it down to dying LEDs on one side rather than water in a connection or similar. Nandra was able to get the part number for me off the current ones making it easier to get a replacement.
I found one on a site in the US quite easily, but most vendors were either out of stock or new stock was almost double the price in US$. Looking further afield, I found a place in Latvia that had them at the old price 213 Euros plus about $30 freight.

They arrived about 3 weeks later and last week, I booked it in with our local bumper experts, Fleets Street Panel beaters just around the corner from us. They had the bumper off just about year or so ago to sand it and repaint it after the Italian paint fell off it due to NZ’s harsh UV light so I figured they would be familiar with it and all the body tools to get it off.

Being short staffed, Nathan (the CEO/Owner) did the job himself, and although there was a stray bolt that wouldn’t play the game, it came together well. He took these photos to show how it all looks stripped down.
Click on the Gallery below for an enlargedĀ slideshow.
So, we’re back in business for another 9 years or so. I always thought LEDs didn’t give up but it’s amazing how they do. Apparently, there are some on a new popular brand that only last 2 years before giving it all away.

In the last few weeks, I’ve been contacted by a couple of people who have a similar setup to mine and similar aged vehicles with driving lights so it’s good to know how we deal with it.
The Hella Part numberĀ for Dethleffs Globe4’sĀ is : 2PT 010 458-701
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