DIY: How to install LEDs in Dome lights

[Launcelot]

Wait, how do you guys have dome lights over the back seat...? I drive a 2011 S trim, and I don't see it... Any chance I can find the part to install it?

[dirtyblueshirt]

Originally Posted by Launcelot

Wait, how do you guys have dome lights over the back seat...? I drive a 2011 S trim, and I don't see it... Any chance I can find the part to install it?

SE and above have rear lights. Theoretically you can splice the second harness in, but the opening has a metal rim to keep the lamp up there, so you may need to get the liner with the second hole pre-cut.

[brbauer2]

Swapped out the stock bulbs to LEDs today, just need to wait for the sun to go down to get the full effect.

The rear housing came out with little fuss, but the front felt a wee bit flimsy due to the headliner not being connected to the windshield. The map light swap was straight forward. The center dome lights were a little nerve racking when getting the clear plastic to unsnap.

Altogether it took about 30 minutes. Don’t be discouraged if it is taking you longer, work at your pace and don’t go too fast and break something.

The pictures make them look quite blue. They are not as blue as they appear, but are a much cleaner, whiter light then the stock bulbs.

BEFORE:


AFTER:



BEFORE:


AFTER:

[gartner]

Originally Posted by ebutka

Alright, since people keep wondering I'm going to make this tutorial to help everyone out. Sorry for the pictures being kind of blurly, I broke my good leds camera and using one from 2002

For the front dome light I do have a sunroof so it may be a little different if you do not have one.

You will need -
5 194 LEDs
A small philips screwdriver
About 30 minutes

Any other model of LEDs. Im really new to LED lights and im really interested on trying this out,. can you suggest any decent but cheap models

Originally Posted by wuzzzer

I installed LEDs in my front dome lights and they look absolutely awesome! I thought I'd leave the bulbs over the back seat alone but they look like dung compared to the LED fronts. I just bought some bulbs for the back ones now.

Wow. Nice idea you got there. It light up my bulbs and you just gave me some inspiration., I was thinking of installing it underneath but you have changed my mind

[brbauer2]

Originally Posted by gartner

Any other model of LEDs. Im really new to LED lights and im really interested on trying this out,. can you suggest any decent but cheap models



Wow. Nice idea you got there. It light up my bulbs and you just gave me some inspiration., I was thinking of installing it underneath but you have changed my mind

Look on ebay. I got mine for a couple bucks each and they are working great. The shipping took a while but the savings was worth the difference.

Sent from my HTC Sensation using Tapatalk

[appleinfl]

These will work:
5-SMD T10 LED BULB HIGH POWER WHITE LED 12V PAIR 194 W5W | eBay

[mattkosem]

I grabbed 3 of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120879317321...84.m1497.l2649

Hopefully they'll fit/work well.

--Matt

[brbauer2]

Originally Posted by mattkosem

I grabbed 3 of these:
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Hopefully they'll fit/work well.

--Matt

As long as they are T10 they should. Just remember to make sure they light before closing the light back up. If they don’t light, rotate the bulb 180° and it should be fine.

[mattkosem]

Originally Posted by brbauer2

As long as they are T10 they should. Just remember to make sure they light before closing the light back up. If they don’t light, rotate the bulb 180° and it should be fine.

They came out great. They seem to fit the sockets pretty loosely, but I'm hoping they'll stay put. Nice bright clear light. I need to get a bright one for the trunk now. Note: my '12 has 6 lights in the dome.

--Matt

[brbauer2]

Originally Posted by mattkosem

They came out great. They seem to fit the sockets pretty loosely, but I'm hoping they'll stay put. Nice bright clear light. I need to get a bright one for the trunk now. Note: my '12 has 6 lights in the dome.

--Matt

I went with a flat panel in the trunk. I’ll get a picture tonight (if I remember ).