32 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHLED Headlights?
Leading reported evidence
Replace bulbs
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I replaced my bulbs with H7 LEDs a few years ago and they've been great.
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Suggestion
Using an LED, even with the diodes in the same location/size as a halogen filament, won’t have as clean a beam on a reflector (996.1) as on a projector (996.2) of xenon.
Leading evidence: 'Replace bulbs' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Clean beam' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
They performed worse than Halogens, but the other ones tested performed much better.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
These can be used for the low beams, the high beams or the fog lights.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion
Using an LED, even with the diodes in the same location/size as a halogen filament, won’t have as clean a beam on a reflector (996.1) as on a projector (996.2) of xenon.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Clean beam
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Using an LED, even with the diodes in the same location/size as a halogen filament, won’t have as clean a beam on a reflector (996.1) as on a projector (996.2) of xenon.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Using an LED, even with the diodes in the same location/size as a halogen filament, won’t have as clean a beam on a reflector (996.1) as on a projector (996.2) of xenon.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
32 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261026T120458Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Has anyone replaced their headlights or front fog lights (all are H7 bulbs) with LED bulbs like these made by Sylvania?
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...195&adtype=pla
I input my car (2001 911 coupe) and it said it would fit. I'm not sure whether they fit the front fog lights only since these are approved for fog lights and off-road use only. It seems to indicate that they will fit the low beam bulb sockets and the high beams. If you want a uniform color, they also make Sylvania parking light bulbs size 168 in LED. I believe the color is 6000 Kelvin.
I replaced my bulbs with H7 LEDs a few years ago and they've been great. Unfortunately the ones I bought are no longer available. Contact Sylvania customer service, They're very responsive,
I just came across this article:
025 Test: Best Plug & Play H7 LED Headlight Bulbs – Philips vs Osram for Cars & Motorcycles
I might give one of them a try as they are the exact size of a regular H7.
The main issues are heat management and beam pattern. Using an LED, even with the diodes in the same location/size as a halogen filament, won’t have as clean a beam on a reflector (996.1) as on a projector (996.2) of xenon.
Many LEDs have poor heat management and will gradually dim within 15-20 minutes from startup. Unfortunately the headlight case doesn’t allow for a lot of room behind the bulb seat for cooling.
I had LEDs in my Boxster (996.1-style halogen) for low and high beams. When the fog lights were turned on the high beam indicator would illuminate as well.
I replaced the High and Low beams. The brand I have are from Lasfit. I don't know the wattage of the ones I have but they were plug and play and I've had them for about 2 1/2 years. The light output is impressive.
I don't normally do a lot of night driving either. When I'm upstate, I'm often driving at night and the improved illumination is quite welcome on those dark country roads.
So I decided to go the cheaper route and ordered some bulbs from Amazon that are a 1 to 1 fit for H7s. I also ordered H9s for High beams, and H3s for fogs. If they work out I'll post the links. Otherwise I'll return them. I figured this would be cheaper and easier than ordering from Europe then having to deal with possible returns.
My morning commutes are tough using the 996. I'm constantly blinded by oncoming traffic because the halogens just aren't bright enough to overcome the glare. My A4 has LEDs and it makes it much easier to see the road even when being blinded, especially by every damn F250.
For the pre-facelift 996s the high beam bulbs, the low beam bulbs and the fog light bulbs are all H7. The front parking light bulbs (the ones inside the headlights, not the side markers) are 168 wedge bulbs. The post-facelift 996s apparently have different bulbs.
I am surprised this has not been mentioned. Porsche is offering LED bulbs for many classic models including the 996.
I have dug into this briefly, and it appears the H7 bulbs are only for the 996.1. I'm not entirely sure though.
Porsche LED headlight kits for select classic models now available in Canada
I posted a PSA a few years ago regarding updating the halogens to HID:
PSA - ReTrofit
HID
and 996.2 halogen - battery oil
spoiler
- Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums
I'm looking forward to this thread, as I would like some high quality LED from a known manufacturer. I see OSRAM in some markets have replicated the H7 into a similar looking footprint to the halogen with no fans, just built in heat sinks.
2x OSRAM Easy 6500K H7 LED Bulbs - Plug and Play
I would prefer to buy from a known vendor, NA or EU. I just can confirm if this is a real product or a product using the OSRAM name.
Those links from your linked post are all over 10 years old. I think LED lights have advanced since then with onboard chips to make them more compatible with the CANBUS system. But this is why I decided to try out some cheaper bulbs from Amazon first. Also, those OSRAM you linked might be the same version that was tested in the link I provided earlier. They performed worse than Halogens, but the other ones tested performed much better.
That's what got me thinking. I was at a PCA event last weekend where they handed out a book called "Porsche Classic." There, it mentioned the availability of LED headlights in certain countries. USA was not one of them. When I looked on US Porsche parts sites, I didn't find any Porsche LED headlight kits. Besides, they'd probably cost a bundle.
If you look at the Sylvania site, it states that LED H7 bulbs are for fog lights only (I guess that's because they're not approved for headlight use in the US).
You can buy H7 Sylvania LED bulbs from Advance Auto or from Amazon.
Yes, those quotes indeed are more than 10 years old. The part that I couldn't figure out with my problem, nor did I actually investigate it, as the resolution would not be easy. In my scenario where I was having problems with the spoiler making horrible sounds when I would start the car, I could avoid this by waiting an extended period of time between key to on, then to crank. Worked most times, not always.
I always thought that it was either the HID ballast was not putting enough of a load on the car's electrical, or too much load. I have been a fan of LED bulbs for a very long time and have build harnesses for multiple vehicles including vintage cars with sealed beams and more modern cars.
The arrangement of the headlights on the 996 do not lend themselves to EASILY doing relays which I have done in the past. I'm not sure what the impact would be on the canbus either.
I am concerned that the LED h7 bulbs do not have enough of an electrical load and will cause problems with the spoiler again if indeed that was the root cause.
I also find it strange that Porsche is marketing H7 bulbs for vintage cars, sells for 996.1 but not the 996.2. I think the headlight housing have relatively the same internal size. I will be following this thread as I would like to go to LED.
Important thing to note also is that years ago, I redid all my lighting at home to LED and 5K to 6K (bright white). Interestingly, I bought a new home with LED light exclusively, and all the LED's are around 3500K with the yellow tinge. Seems more appealing to the eye.
Similarly, my 2024 outback with very bright headlights (best headlights I've ever had! I drive a great deal of country roads and the visibility is wonderful, without being harsh or blinding to others unlike some hondas/acuras). I would estimate the lighting at 4500K - has a slight yellow tinge to it - nothing bright white or bluish about it.
I just spoke with the parts manager at my local Porsche dealer. For my car (model year 2001 -- pre-face lift) he said he can get the Porsche LED bulb kit for $265 per pair. These can be used for the low beams, the high beams or the fog lights. If you want to replace all of them, you'll need three pairs.
So I received all the bulbs today. The H9s for the high-beams are a no go, they did not produce compared to the halogen so they are getting returned. As for the H7 low and H3 fog... I need to take them out when it gets dark to test. For now, here's a quick and dirty comparo between LED and Halogen I took just shinning at garage door. My unscientific painters table to mark the cutoff shows it's about the same.
Low beam H7
Yellow H3 fog
You can really tell the difference between the LED low beam and the halogen low beam. BTW, since your car is a post-face lift 996, the bulbs are all different. For the pre-face lift 996, all the bulbs are H7.
[QUOTE=merlot;20288038]So I received all the bulbs today. The H9s for the high-beams are a no go, they did not produce compared to the halogen so they are getting returned. As for the H7 low and H3 fog... I need to take them out when it gets dark to test. For now, here's a quick and dirty comparo between LED and Halogen I took just shinning at garage door. My unscientific painters table to mark the cutoff shows it's about the same.
@merlot
could you share which H7/H9/H3 bulbs you got from AMAZOn that worked?
+ does each LED bulb needs to have a CANBUS decoder?
I have 2002 C4. headlights have HID XENON. would love to convert to LED lights.
will these be direct PLUG & PLAY directly into the plugs are pointed #1 pix (H7) & #2 pix (H9) and then #3 pix the back module - remove or just keep there
thanks
[QUOTE=TEX-TBone;20346196]
Don't bother, the H7 LEDs from Amazon sucked. While they looked impressive against the garage door, they seemed worse than the halogens once I was driving. Pretty sure they got dimmer - as many of the cheap LEDs do once they've been on for a bit.
I did keep the LED fogs in yellow because I kind of like the look, but went with
65w H7s
. I believe these are the same ones
Daniel Stern Lighting
offers. I would have bought from him but he ghosted me.
I still may try the Osram h7 LEDs at a later time.
[QUOTE=merlot;20347920]
Were these Sylvania brand? If not, which brand were they so we know to avoid that brand. The bulbs (high beam, low beam and fog light) are all H7 on 996.1.
@merlot
thank you for the reply & info.
will avoid those specific ones H7 & H9/H11 from MARSAUTO does not have the "CANBUS decoder" aka the small rectangle box in between the plug & bulb.
Most of these LED lights on amazon does not have these 'decoders'
since 996.2 with HID BI-XENON may need this thing ?perhaps?maybe, that may be needed? IDK.
From what i have read on several forums & YOUTUBE: halogen bulbs = plug & play.
the HID BI-XENON are not so straight forward - click & go.
maybe it's software/hardware programing bit + power mangement
I really don't want to go the "full RETROFIT route" unless needed.
I will get the ones with the '"decoders" and give it the old college try and see - and report back, of course
I have the 2023 version of these bulbs, which have been upgraded to 2025. I'm very happy with the ones I have. I have them for low and high beams on my 2000 C2.
Amazon
Amazon
