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Old 08-11-2010, 12:18 PM
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E46byeRAhi E46byeRAhi is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 211
Default HOW TO: LED Map, Dome, and Trunk lights

LED interior lights

For Map/Dome light:
Flathead screwdriver
3 31mm festoon LED bulbs (2 map, 1 dome)


LIGHT COVER REMOVAL:
for the map lights, insert a flathead screwdriver wrapped in a tissue or cloth at the inner corner (red arrow), and gently pry it off. it should pop off pretty easily. for the dome light, the flathead should be inserted in the center of the light cover, towards the front of the car. Pry it off the same way. the bulb replacement is plug and play. only the trunk LED strip requires a little bit of splicing.


the front interior map lights are 31mm festoon bulbs. i used these 6LED SMD bulbs from amazon. i chose this over others because all 6 LEDs are facing the same direction (surface mount), so all light is projected into the car. Other 31mm festoon LEDs only contain 1-4 LEDs... i wanted 6.

6 LED festoon Amazon

the same bulb can be used for the dome light, but since I wanted a purple hue when unlocking/opening doors, i got an LED panel and put it in. you can also just get an LED panel with many LEDs on it, instead of the regular festoon kind. i went with a 12LED panel style.


75 LED strip Trunk Light 50 cm long. find the factory light and cut the wires, ones positive an ones ground. if it doesn't light up the LED strip then reverse the contacts and it should work. I used vamp clips to secure them. its about 200% brighter than stock and has good even lighting. I used 3M double sided to mount it just behind the metal hump so the LEDs aren't glaring into my eyes when I open the trunk.



enjoy the lifelong brightness of your new LEDs!
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