Simple how to: Upgrade brake lights with LEDs (Ford Mondeo Mk3)

Easy DIY how to: Replace brake bulbs with red LEDs in a Ford Mondeo Mk3 (2000-2007) to get instant-on brake lights, brighter brake mode, and much lower power usage. Dual-mode bulbs used in tail/brake light enclosures are the trickiest to replace with adequate LEDs, particularly with the less common P21/4W socket. Links below.
You will need:
- Replacement 1157 or BAY15D red LEDs, suggest the Philips X-tremeVision bulbs featured as they are the only real suitable replacement at the time of writing:
* Review: • Review: Philips X-trem...
* Amazon link: amzn.to/2ab2wzX
(Using the above Amazon link will support my channel and is appreciated!)
- File, if you have a P21/4W socket, in order to modify the P21/5W bulbs to fit as shown.
- Warning: LED brake bulbs may interfere with cruise control (if fitted) and may require a load resistor to re-enable correct operation.

[@CraigsDIY]

Amazon link to relevant product (from the description) - recommended Philips X-tremeVision bulbs: amzn.to/2ab2wzX (review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ3MaJV-gLV0eLs )

[@metronomexxx]

Thank you. nice led's.

[@srkobahiashi2]

Very good video.It would be interesting to know what type of led is used for the h7 and h1.saludos

[@atraxr603]

I had to file an ordinary bulb once cause I couldn't find the offset ones. Was kinda a pain cause I don't like having stuff haggard. But it works normally.

[@cptpotatoface386]

ahh thats why my brake lights were always on. I put in bulbs that had one filament

[@MrTode94]

Hey, nice video mate! Can you show also how to install led indicators to mondeo?

[@CraigsDIY]

Not sure I'll do that. But you would use amber versions of something like the Philips bulbs (US amzn.to/2ek5Yd2 / UK amzn.to/2eHHm0z) - and you also need to install resistors to fool the car's blown-bulb warning, they need to be wired into each bulb's wiring.

[@petersarlai2091]

Hi Craig! It's Bleky from Talkford. To have the correct pins at the correct places, you need to look for a socket type of "BAZ15D" instead of the BAY15D. Then there is no need to file the pins. Cheers!

[@CraigsDIY]

Yes but they are very rare, e.g. Philips do not make any.

[@petersarlai2091]

:(

[@rinnibashirov4123]

Could you tell me what is the name of this bulbs?!

[@curtisj2165]

What about the high level third brake light? There is five more bulbs in there.

[@CraigsDIY]

I have yet to find a suitable LED replacement for the 501 wedge bulbs. In any case there's not much point, because 5 W filament bulbs are low power which means they activate almost instantly, and there is no benefit to power savings in a dedicated brake light.

[@janrod3974]

For the first time in 12 years having to replace a brake bulb; I find the variation in base of the lamps confusing. My bulb is 2 lower pins, and 1 connector. On the Lamp it says P21W12498VPPHILPS. Furthermore it has 1 single connector. It's extremely difficult to find out which lamp is the right one. The whole idea of fast Led's though, I find pretty clever. So I am curious how you found this out, Chris; do you have tips? Thanks for very informative video's. UPDATE: I found out that a BA15S fitting is usedand that this seems an appropriate LED replacement: OSRAM LEDRiving BA15S 12V O-7556CW

[@CraigsDIY]

I'm not completely clear what you're asking Jan, but BA15S is the wrong bulb for the Mondeo Mk3 brake bulb. You must use a BAY15D or BAZ15D with the two connectors. There is a link in the description to the Philips bulb I used, and a separate review.

[@janrod3974]

Well, I guess you're wrong there (being pedantic). It might be due to European model or by the car being an Estate or later model (2005). That's exactly what is so confusing; (taking the brake-bulb out) it shows actually to be a BA15S as is confirmed by this Philips lookup tool (in Dutch) www.philips.nl/c-m-li/autoverlichting/voertuig-selectietool. There will be logic behind Ford's choices, but I can't see why not a duplo (double) bulb like yours is used. Here in NL actually, a LED version is not allowed and will give a fail on MOT.

[@CraigsDIY]

Estates have completely different rear lights, what's shown in the video is the hatch & sedan style.

[@simonjohnhinton1938]

Craig's DIY Car hi there, I have a mk3 ghia x with xenons and I've got the led front sidelights they were proper osram ones. My attention now is to the rear and I wondered what brand of tail lights you use and if you could give me the part number/s. I've manged to find the phillips stop/tail on ebay as used in your video even though they are slightly on the expensive side (they have great reviews though!) and I also wondered if you could recommend which led indicator bulbs to buy. You are correct in saying that the tail bulb is in fact BAY15D as I have the hatchback and not the estate version. Kind regards and a great informative video🖒🖒🖒🖒

[@mmmfloorpie]

Same old filament bulbs in the rear fogs?

[@CraigsDIY]

Yeah. Philips do the right type, but I almost never use the fogs at all, let alone the rears.

[@mmmfloorpie]

I'd probably clip the wires to them and jumper them to the brake lights in that case. The rear brake light set up on that car is pretty weak. I live in North America and have a 2014 Fusion which is essentially a Mk5 Mondeo. You mentioned leaving your parking lights on at night. Does this car have a head light switch with timed parking lights/ability to turn the lights on for just half the car? I've seen that (timed lights) on some cars before including the MK5 Mondeo.

[@CraigsDIY]

That would certainly confuse anyone familiar with the Mk3 :) I don't think the brake light set-up is too weak though, it's better than some, although compared to modern cars with factory LEDs I guess it's starting to look long in the tooth. Parking lights is just an ignition-off-only position on the light switch that lights all four corner lights (front side + tail). With LEDs in all four positions the power draw is negligible so can leave on with impunity. No timing and no half option.

[@michaelw7540]

1 second slower? Well hallelujah we have super sonic fast LEDs which win at being a second faster! FFS Ron White is correct once again saying, "Can't Fix Stupid!"

[@toyotabrony]

Ur stupid dude. Puttting white incandescent bulb or white led bulbs behind the red lens is not a usable light output. And they get dimmer than stock. Putting red led behind the red lens is much more usable and brighter. That’s a fact.

[@mihaipasztor7500]

Led can disturb the driver behind you!

[@DG_427]

They are not that bright.

[@darkcontrast]

Well many modern cars have big led lights when they brake they blind u if u wait for green light this doesnt hurt at all