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DIY interior bulb replacement/upgrade/install (pics)

jeff

2000 Post Club
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Evans
#1
I just upgraded all my interior lights to LEDs. After searching I didn't find a comprehensive DIY so I thought I'd make one to help others in the future.

Special thanks to [MENTION=4616]speed_easy[/MENTION] from whom I stole a few of the pictures, he posted a partial install which prompted me to swap my lights.

I used the Yorkin LEDs, set of 10 for $9.99 shipped available on Amazon here. They might be junk but we'll see....4 1/2 starts on Amazon though...cheap and easy install so future replacement won't be too bad. IMPORTANT: If you're using LEDs I suggest testing before final install because if you have them reversed they will not turn on, then you have to take everything apart again blah blah blah.

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We're talking 7 bulbs in all (sunroof model) - 1 for rear hatch, 1 for glove box, 2 for front bezel, 3 for rear bezel.

*****

REAR HATCH TRUNK LIGHT
We'll start with the easiest first. 2 minute install.
1. Pop light cover off.
2. Swap bulb.
3. Replace light cover.

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GLOVE BOX LIGHT
A little tricky but not bad. 5 minute install.
1. Open glovebox.
2. Squeeze sides near dashboard and it will lower.
3. Gently pull the glovebox toward you and it will pop out of the hinges and out completely; this will give you room to work.
4. Stick your head in there and see what's up...the pic below demonstrates what's going on. Just take your fingernail and gently squeeze the tabs around the on/off switch, and push it out of the frame area, then you can swing the light switch assembly out of the dashboard frame area to work on it. Then you'll need a small screwdriver to gently push the tab that holds the assembly to the wire. The bright "on" bulb is bothersome while doing this no doubt.
5. Once the switch assembly is out simply pop out the bulb with a small screwdriver. Be careful, it will shoot a few feet if you're not prepared.
6. Install new LED. The Yorkim does fit but there is a little tab that holds the OEM light that is slightly in the way, but just push the bulb in and it will seat just fine. It will be a little cocked but it won't matter.
7. Re-install everything in reverse order.

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*****

FRONT DOME LIGHTS
My car has a sunroof, install is super easy, 5 minutes. If you have a non-sunroof it looks a bit more more involved. I used a picture from [MENTION=4616]speed_easy[/MENTION] for reference.
1. Use your fingernails or a flat screwdriver and pop the bezel down from the rear side. Sunroof version is different, the metal clips are on the sides. It's sturdy and nothing to break, just pop it right out. See first pic.
2. Using your hand or needlenose pliers, turn the bulb housing counterclockwise about 1/8 turn and it will come right out (there are 2, right and left). See second pic.
3. Pop bulb out of housing, replace bulb. See third pic.
4. Re-install housing, turn clockwise to lock.
5. Snap bezel back into ceiling. Make sure wires are not pinched. 4th pic shows one standard bulb vs. one LED.
Again, non-sunroof is different, see 5th picture at bottom of this portion for info on that.

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NON-SUNROOF INSTALL PIC:
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*****

REAR DOME LIGHTS
This is the one that takes time, a good 45 minutes.
1. Pry housing out from rear side. It will pop right out. I used a picture from [MENTION=4616]speed_easy[/MENTION] for reference.
2. Unplug harness and take assembly to your work station of choice.
3. At this point you have 2 options. You can unscrew the 4 screws surrounding the foam block as seen in picture 2 below. This allows better access to the 9 tabs that hold on the light cover. If you're like me you want to remove these and the corresponding plastic frame to get to those tabs, push on them from the back side and the cover will come off. Option 2 is just pop the cover off from the front side. I didn't want to risk cracking the thin plastic but it will pop off and save a bit of time. In any case get the plastic off and feed the light through the front so you have access to the 2 screws holding it in. Third picture shows tabs (light cover is removed and sitting on top of assembly in this pic).
4. Pop out the three lights. See picture 4 below...take a screwdriver or something else and push from behind, they come right out. The center one you have to get from the front.
5. New lights in. The metal cone-shaped housing didn't quite fit with my LEDs, I pinched it slightly to allow the screws to engage the holes, no problemo.
6. Reassemble...there is a little dot that lines things up, see pic 5. Make sure you install correctly, small black dot on black piece fits into female receptacle on beige piece.
7. Note, when reassembling you'll want to make sure the metal tab on the bracket fits into the frame. Otherwise it dangles loose and that is not good. Mine was loose when I removed it, someone was in a rush. See pic 6.
8. Plug back in and fit into your ceiling. Be careful to get all the tabs secured.

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*****

Nice and bright!!!

Thanks for reading!!!


[thumb]
 


XanRules

Active member
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239
Location
Portland
#6
For a buck per bulb, hard to go wrong. The Diode Dynamics kit - which I've used in previous cars - works out to $7 per bulb after shipping. I'm sure it's better, but not seven times better.
 


Messages
93
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19
Location
Springtown
#7
I already did my wife's fist before finding this thread but I'm sure this is going to help a lot of people. Good job!
 


Messages
482
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483
Location
Bowie
#8
Where exactly is the "tab" that you push down with the screwdriver holds the assembly to the wire. Cause i already have the tabs around the on/off switch popped out. Im doing it right now and I'm so confused lol

Edit:Nvm got it took way longer then it needed too.
 


Last edited:
Messages
159
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59
Location
Wichita
#10
This helped very much, thank you. Only thing I would add is aluminium foil above center light in rear. It reflects a ton more light now.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
 


Messages
307
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86
Location
Detroit
#12
Hard to believe the non sunroof is so different. But once you look at it you see why. Thanks for posting! [MENTION=3995]jeff[/MENTION]



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TDavis

1000 Post Club
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1,149
Location
Columbia
#13
For the hatch, get some LEDs like these and wire them up on each side.

Where can you acquire those 194 wire splicers?

EDIT: Nevermind I found them.

I'll definitely take this up. The little dinky single 194 in the hatch isn't really adequate. It works, but there is room for improvement.

Is it just me or is your right LED more bluer then the left one?
 


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brbauer2

Active member
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Location
St. Charles
#14
Where can you acquire those 194 wire splicers?
Here's some on Amazon.

EDIT: Nevermind I found them.

I'll definitely take this up. The little dinky single 194 in the hatch isn't really adequate. It works, but there is room for improvement.

Is it just me or is your right LED more bluer then the left one?
Just in the picture.
 


XR650R

2000 Post Club
Premium Account
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Eerie
#16
Did this last night. What a nice improvement! Thanks!

One of them didn't work at all. Good thing I had 10. Time will tell how long they last.
 


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XR650R

2000 Post Club
Premium Account
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Eerie
#19
I used the leftovers to replace the license plate lights. Works and looks great.
 


Messages
28
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2
Location
New Berlin
#20
Hey, I just wanted to say thanks for this guide. I just finished installing led's in my car, and I couldn't have done it without this. It was super helpful.
 




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