Auxito DS3 LED Upgrade | Cadillac ATS CTS

[@Garagebuilt70]

Just installed these in my ATS and the improvement is off the charts!! Another great video!!

[@mikecastro2158]

Was the dust cover able to go back on without a problem?

[@Garagebuilt70]

Yes the cover goes back on easy. Just need to tuck the extra wiring and driver off to the side.

[@ads1035]

Auxito LED headlights caused my 2018 Cadillac XT5 to develop electrical gremlins. On Sept 13th, I ordered a pair of 9012 100 watt LED headlights from Auxito for my spouse's XT5, after seeing another one of your videos. Her stock headlights were long-life halogen bulbs that left a lot to be desired, so every extra lumen was welcome. Our initial experience after installing the headlights was positive, but shortly after installing these LED headlights, we started to get some odd electrical gremlins. Firstly, the car would occasionally claim that the front-left tire pressure was low, despite the pressure being in spec. That is, the TPMS would display a tire pressure of 35psi, and claim that it was low, despite the threshold for low being closer to 29psi. Secondly, while driving slowly, the front parking sensors would spontaneously activate, claiming an object was especially close off the front-right side of the bumper, despite nothing being present. Thirdly, and most importantly, when the headlights were on, the engine was running, and the left turn signal was activated, the air bag light would activate. The instrument panel would ding four times, and display a message that read, "Service Safety Restraint System." But once the turn signal canceled, the light would deactivate. Well, we took the air bag light pretty seriously. I certainly don't want to drive a vehicle with malfunctioning air bags! The dealership tried replacing an air bag inflator for us, but that didn't fix the issue. Unfortunately, my little scan tool wasn't able to pick up any codes, so I had to ask a relative for help. He showed up with an Autel MX808... At first, it looked to me like an off-brand generic Android tablet, but once we drilled down into the diagnostic tools, I realized it could show us live values and measurements from the airbag system. We started off finding a B0016:02 DTC, but next, we set the tablet to chart the electrical resistance of both front A-pillar air bag circuits. And when we turned on the headlights and left turn signal, we saw dramatic, rapid fluctuations in the readings... Especially in the left A-pillar air bag, the one throwing the code. We could even see the cycling of the turn signal resulting in a predictable rise and fall of the left air bag's resistance. While the right air bag was also a little noisy, the left one was especially bad. And these fluctuations seemed to trigger the air bag light. Anyway, my relative is an old-fashioned mechanic who enjoys working on cautbersted cars... He'll readily admit that electrical issues are his Achilles heel. He initially said, "You've got a wiring issue in your steering column." I said, "I'm not so sure. I'd agree if we were working on my Miata or your Sport Fury, but this thing's full of data lines and computer modules. I bet the LED headlights are causing some kind of feedback or something. Their little power supplies may be noisy." He said, "We can test that. Let's put halogen lights back in the car and see if these readings change." To make an already long story a bit shorter, after a quick trip to Walmart, switching back to halogen headlights did make a significant difference. The fluctuations disappeared - the electrical resistance of both circuits as measured by the tablet was steady, unchanging, unwavering. And the air bag warning light refused to return! I even tried switching one side back to the Auxito LED headlight, and the fluctuations immediately returned. All this to say, I've had a poor experience with Auxito LED headlights, and I will not be a returning customer. Diagnosing this issue was interesting and admittedly a little fun, but I'd much rather have headlights that don't interfere with my car's electrical systems... And especially not my air bags.

[@JetFuelOnly]

Thanks for the recap of your experience! I’m not sure Auxito can specifically be blamed for such things but certainly something about adding LED lights definitely was not making your car happy. If you read about the ATS-V they turned into a classic Cadillac they had lots of problems with the smaller voltage changes in designs. The things you faced certainly are things many of us have faced when switching to LED bulbs where incandescent used to be - but it is only sometimes the case. I hope Auxito let you return the bulbs if it was in a reasonable time.

[@ads1035]

@@JetFuelOnly Unfortunately, I can't get in touch with Auxito. I've sent them two emails - one via the email address on their website, and one via a form on their "Contact Us" page - and I've tried calling them. It seems like their phone number has been disconnected, or something... An automated system representing a phone number reselling company answered when I called. So, my story is still developing - we only took the measurements yesterday.

[@JetFuelOnly]

Do you have Instagram? They say to contact @auxitoled on IG

[@JamesAMG]

I was about ready to purchase a pair of these LED headlights for my 2018 Cadillac ATSV with the factory HID headlights. This has me slightly concerned, however, I do see that you say your vehicle originally had halogens whereas going from HID to LED and still going through the original ballast, I wonder if that eliminates any goofiness that may be done to the electronics in this case. In other words, you went from halogen to LED, I’d be going from HID to LED with original ballast still in place. Danial, still no issues in your CTS, assuming you still have them?

[@ads1035]

@@JamesAMG for what it's worth, I did finally manage to get in touch with Auxito via email. They sent me a pair of "canbus decoders," little black boxes that sit between the headlight and the harness from the body. The canbus decoders eliminated my issues. But I believe that you're on the right track, with mine being halogen replacements and yours being HIDs. We already know that HIDs are driven at a higher voltage - they're overall different. I'm extremely skeptical that Daniel would have anything bad to say about Auxito - every content creator likes keeping their sponsors.

[@RVBIROSA]

Great video as always. I really like your clearly-identified summary/overview, narrative, and how-to step sections. I followed your work and now have my headlights upgraded to LEDs. I used the link in your description so hopefully that gives you credit, too.

[@JetFuelOnly]

Thank you! You’re awesome!

[@jpyuen8160]

Thank you, i ordered mine & wow i can see so much better

[@JetFuelOnly]

Great to hear!

[@CWJameson]

I have a set of these in my challenger, and while they definitely appear brighter up close, they have issues dispensing light further down the road.

[@user-mw2gf3rr6r]

Thank you it cames in right time been a while searching

[@cryptoninja3245]

Perfect timing! My passenger side is starting to get more yellow/orange than the driver's side...

[@ThePudgie123]

Thanks! Great idea!

[@kevinfennell4646]

Light’em up

[@TheHerokid672]

Are you sure that these throw more light down the road? At least from the driving video, the OEM HID on the right appears to light up more of the road which has always been a common theme HID vs LED.

[@JetFuelOnly]

The beam pattern is the same between the two. The brightness is higher with the LED. When you say “down the road” there isn’t a difference on the distance the lights reach because the projector defines that. How much light in that distance is still more due to the lumen output.

[@TheHerokid672]

@@JetFuelOnly maybe these are different. My experience has always been the HID bulb was superior for directing and throwing the light farther down the road vs LED because it wasn't emitted from a flat surface like the LED. I know LED specific projectors exist, but have never tried in my retrofits though. Maybe I will give these a try and see.

[@Museville1]

This headlamp replacement was easier than expected. Thx. But can you recommend a place to get an ATS-V hood for my 2018 ATS I love this look

[@JetFuelOnly]

I don’t know of a place myself besides OEM but if it’s like the CTS-V it’s carbon fiber and $$$

[@Museville1]

@@JetFuelOnly I located one, it's a Duraflex fiberglass reinforced plastic part. Is this a decent choice 🤔 for my ATS

[@JetFuelOnly]

Also make sure it’s designed for base ATS. ATS-V bumper and fenders may not have same mating lines

[@Museville1]

@@JetFuelOnly Got it, good observation 👍

[@Museville1]

It this works out I'm gonna get the rear bumper diffuser an ad quad tips to create the V look. And if none of this pans out I'll have to buy this Burgundy 2018 ATS-V That I test drove last week and have the sunroof installed 🙃

[@NowifeATSV]

i went with a diff brand claim to be 10k lumen per bulb. 60w ,, but had vetter reviews then the littons

[@11x]

“vetter reviews than the littons”??wtf you trying to say…

[@chrismartinez777]

Hey Dan, thanks for posting this video. Def upgrading to LEDs. I wanted to ask what brand do you use for the side markers on the CTS? 4:28

[@JetFuelOnly]

I have the original ones Savage was selling but they are failing. They say their new ones are better but I’ll probably replace mine with Diode Dynamics

[@chrismartinez777]

@@JetFuelOnly Awesome, I’ll take a look at the Diode Dynamics version. Thanks!

[@rw5694]

Great video Daniel, Question would these LEDs bulbs work for ATS v?

[@JetFuelOnly]

Yes same ones I believe. Use their bulb finder on the site to confirm.

[@NowifeATSV]

long as you have a d3s harness into hid

[@consumersleep148]

These led lights did not fit my 2014 Cadillac cts 3rd gen base model. Pretty disappointed, the connector on my car is much fatter than the auxito connector. Guess I’m stuck with the piss color yellow lights

[@JetFuelOnly]

Did you check the fitment guide? Sounds like your car was built with halogens and would have a different LED bulb replacement

[@consumersleep148]

Thanks for you reply, I got a pair of 9012 led from auxito and they work great. But now all of a sudden my rear led driver side is flickering when I press on the break. I’ve never seen this happen so I’m assuming it’s the led lights. They send me a pair of canbus for flickering issues but would u happen to know if my front led lights could be causing my real led light to flicker ? It’s only the drivers side real led that flickers. Thanks for everything u post bro

[@JetFuelOnly]

@consumersleep148 the electrical sensitivities that Cadillacs have is mind blowing. I would assume that it is causing the issue.

[@qaisalmazaq5655]

Hi Daniel, Thank you for all of your videos and information that you provide on your channel. It helps a lot for sure! I recently replaced the headlights to LED and I'm loving it thanks to you. I'm currently looking to replace the paddle doors light and have a cadillac logo instead on my 2015 CTS luxury. However, I'm having a hard time figuring it out. Any ideas? Thank you for your help in advance!​@JetFuelOnly

[@JetFuelOnly]

@qaisalmazaq5655 most puddle lights don’t install on the CTS without drilling a hole in the bottom of your door. However I did see something available for the lights under the side mirrors - like the Escalade has. I don’t know the details though. I think Savage Cadillac has them

[@erickperdomo5077]

Question 2014 ats headlights can fit into a 2014 cts?

[@JetFuelOnly]

No I believe they are different bulb types. And if asking about the entire housing definitely not. Must be CTS

[@jeffylube31]

Did you do any adjustment to your headlights?

[@JetFuelOnly]

No adjustments

[@Quinton0520]

I am looking to upgrade my 2017 buick regal it has d3s hi/low bulb are these good? could you tell a difference at nighttime?

[@JetFuelOnly]

Yes definitely can tell the difference! You can check out my other video too when I installed them in my Porsche.

[@reggiehammond6508]

Do the led fan draw a lot of power to where other light starts to flicker?

[@JetFuelOnly]

I have not experienced this at all

[@reggiehammond6508]

@@JetFuelOnly what do you think is going on with my wireless charger area faceplate only opens 1/4 and than close?

[@JetFuelOnly]

@reggiehammond6508 are you sure there’s nothing in there blocking the arms or anything? Have you tried reset procedures?

[@reggiehammond6508]

@@JetFuelOnly what’s reset procedure? Nothing is blocking it.🤷‍♀️

[@JetFuelOnly]

@@reggiehammond6508 How do I reset my Cadillac CUE? Open up the faceplate for your CUE system (exposing the secret cubby). Leaving the faceplate up, shut off your vehicle and open the driver’s door. Keep the driver’s door open for 60 seconds. After 60 seconds is up, close the door. Start the vehicle and lower your Cadillac CUE screen.

[@mariok9896]

My car is not in the List 😢

[@JetFuelOnly]

Maybe one day!