• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

Interior LED Mod

cerick08GP

cerick08GP

New member
Interior LED Mod (Nov-2009)

So far everyone has been pretty impressed with the LED mod, so I thought I would share. The installation is easy, although there were some challenges involved. I have an 08GP, but I’m confident this write up will cover the all the 04+GPs. I know that many people do this type mod, but no one ever seems to take the time to do a write up on it.:th_scratchhead: And that is my main purpose in doing this.
outsidefinished.jpg


Tools you will need:
Small screwdrivers (2)
Needle nose pliers
Lint free cloth

Parts needed:
Red LEDs (4)
UV LEDs (2)
*these LEDS replace the stock 2825 light bulbs

I used the following LEDs from superbrightleds.com, but most 194 type LEDs should work.
redorderpage.jpg

UVorderpage.jpg

Step1: Remove the Light Covers
For the dome light, use two small screw drivers to remove the light cover. At the push-button side of the light cover, wedge the screwdrivers in between the cover and the housing. Now gently pry down to remove the light cover.
Domelightmarked.jpg


For the passenger lights, use one screw driver to remove the light cover. At the push-button side of the light cover, wedge the screwdriver in between the cover and the housing, pushing the internal clip towards the center. After pushing the clip in far enough to clear the internal latch, pry the light cover down until it clears the housing. After the cover is free, completely remove it by pulling it out of the pivot clip.
passengerlightcover-1.jpg

Step 2: Remove the Reflectors
I found the light bulbs very hard to remove with out first removing the reflectors. For the dome (map) light reflectors use both hands and push back two of the three clips with your thumbs and pop the reflector out with yours fingers.

For the passenger light reflector, push the reflector away from the clip and pop it out. Also, be aware the other end has a tab that will bend a little.
passengerlight.jpg


Step 3: Remove the Light Bulbs
This step is easy with the reflectors removed, simply pull the bulbs straight out with yours hands. The footwell lights have no covers so you can finish them off right now, I installed a UV LED in both sides.
footrestlight.jpg


Step 4: Install the Dome Light LEDs
Gently push the LEDs straight into the holders, I used red LEDs here. These holders are angled slightly, while installing one of the LEDs the holder actually popped out of place. If this happens to you, just grab on to the popped out holder with the pliers and pull it back into place, then try installing the LED again. After both LEDs are installed test them. If an LED doesn’t work, try removing it. Check the leads, and re-install. If the LEDs do work, clean up then re-install the reflectors and light covers.

Step 5: Install the Passenger Light LEDs
Re-install the reflectors, then gently push in the LEDs. Test the LEDs, then re-install the light covers. Please note these reflectors need to be installed before the LEDs.
passengerlightfinished.jpg


Step 6: Get a Cold Refreshing Beverage
You are now done. The lights are a little weird at first but they grow on you fast. The red LEDs I used seem just right, they put out enough light to read by and so not bright they are distracting. The UV LEDs I used in the footwells are functional, but could have been a little brighter. This is probably more due to the frequency of the light rather that the LED output. For only 20 bucks and half hour of time, I‘m more than pleased. Enjoy.:)
interiorfinished.jpg
 


warning off topic: hey drunkie, while you had the dome light open did you see how to remove that whole housing up there? I have a piece of plastic or something shifting around in mine and it's annoying
 


rocafella2032 said:
Is this the same for 97-03? Same bulbs?
Click to expand...
Well, if you are asking me these questions.

I’m sure the methodology would be similar, but I couldn’t say for sure how exactly to do it.

The answer for the bulbs is yes and no. To the best I could research here is what I found.

The map lights are the same bulbs.
The step lights are the same bulbs.
The dome light isn’t. The dome takes a 562 type bulb.
 
ZR1Vette09 said:
warning off topic: hey drunkie, while you had the dome light open did you see how to remove that whole housing up there? I have a piece of plastic or something shifting around in mine and it's annoying
Click to expand...

Yeah once the two clear plastic piece are out of the way, there is 2 screws up there IIRC and you just pop it out

(there might be a 3rd...up towards the front glass, so it pops out and hangs, don't yank on it, just check for another screw first...I can't remember how many there are off the top of my head right now)
 
I did this same mod using the LED lights from superbrightleds.com as well.

I used white for the map lights and UV for the foot wells in the front.

I used the 4 LED lamps for the map lights and 6 LED lamps for the foot wells.

One thing I've noticed is that if the car is sitting without the engine on and you hit a map light, the light will sort of "brown out" for lack of a better term. This doesn't happen with the normal incandescent lights.

Has anyone else noticed this? I haven't tried them with the engine on yet but will give it a shot next time I head out somewhere...
 


Ashman said:
I did this same mod using the LED lights from superbrightleds.com as well.

I used white for the map lights and UV for the foot wells in the front.

I used the 4 LED lamps for the map lights and 6 LED lamps for the foot wells.

One thing I've noticed is that if the car is sitting without the engine on and you hit a map light, the light will sort of "brown out" for lack of a better term. This doesn't happen with the normal incandescent lights.

Has anyone else noticed this? I haven't tried them with the engine on yet but will give it a shot next time I head out somewhere...
Click to expand...




I have noticed something kind of similar with my kit, If i let the lights sit on for a couple seconds with the car off they will get really dim and flicker. Is this what your talking about?
 
Yep. That's the behavior I'm seeing.

I guess that's normal, eh?

Do they work properly when the engine is on or key turned to acc? I still haven't tried it yet. (Garage is closed and I don't want to open it just to try it because it's dang cold out there... :) )
 
Lol well to be honest i have no idea if thats normal or not. But yes when i have the car on or the key turned to acc my lights work perfectly. I can live with the flickering since i know how to avoid it and the LED's are amazing!
 
Yeah, I really like the look too.

Thanks for the tip. I'll try mine out and make sure they work when the engine is on or I turn the key to ACC. If I see any different behavior, I'll report back.

Otherwise, it was and easy switch (less than 15 minutes) and I'm definitely liking the results.
 


be very careful with the plastic lenses as they break fairly easily.

As far as superbrightled.com....I would be careful with their product. I had one spontaneously combust on me once. the bulbs from autolumination.com have never been a problem for me.
 
Anyone got a fix for when the engine's off and they flicker?
and does anyone have a write up for a GP before 04?
 
Holy ****. I hated doing this.

I did red and those ****ing housings kept getting pushed in. It's so hard to put the LED's in without doing this. Either that or I'm ****ing retarded.

And of course, it was over the summer and I had about 3000 mosquitoes biting my facing off as I was trying to pull the housing out and push the LED in.

Annoying to say the least.
 
copgtp said:
be very careful with the plastic lenses as they break fairly easily.

As far as superbrightled.com....I would be careful with their product. I had one spontaneously combust on me once. the bulbs from autolumination.com have never been a problem for me.
Click to expand...

i used superbrightLEDs when i was a lighting tech and never had a problem. sounds like a shorting issue
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top