LED Interior Lights
Discussion
Having read the excellent thread in FAQs about replacing map, door and footwell lights with brighter LEDs on my MY 07 V8V coupe, I decided to have a go. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The LEDs duly arrived and I chose the map reading lights first:
Getting the light out of its housing was nowhere near as easy as carefully prising it out with a small screwdriver. I found there was a distinct tendency for everything to spring back if the screwdriver slipped, leaving a mark on the bezel. To avoid marking the Alcantara, an old credit card was very useful.
Eventually the bezel and lens pinged off, leaving the bulb and its holder still in the housing.
I presume the holder is released by the 2 ears - but which way do they go? Squeezed inwards or outwards?
I also found it very difficult to squeeze anywhere symetrically - can anyone help, please?
The LEDs duly arrived and I chose the map reading lights first:
Getting the light out of its housing was nowhere near as easy as carefully prising it out with a small screwdriver. I found there was a distinct tendency for everything to spring back if the screwdriver slipped, leaving a mark on the bezel. To avoid marking the Alcantara, an old credit card was very useful.
Eventually the bezel and lens pinged off, leaving the bulb and its holder still in the housing.
I presume the holder is released by the 2 ears - but which way do they go? Squeezed inwards or outwards?
I also found it very difficult to squeeze anywhere symetrically - can anyone help, please?
I've installed these on several cars myself and never run into any issues. Some are more difficult to get out than others, but as long as you're careful there won't be any scratches, indentations, or other signs of tampering.
The 'ears' on the sides don't move. They just align with the notched spots where the bezel is mounted. The bezel is pressure-fit, so if you don't fully 'pop' it out, the pressure will push it back into place.
The 'ears' on the sides don't move. They just align with the notched spots where the bezel is mounted. The bezel is pressure-fit, so if you don't fully 'pop' it out, the pressure will push it back into place.
It's surprising the difference a little knowledge makes.
The other maplight lens also popped off, but I squeezed the 2 ears on the lampholder together and pulled, not very hard, and out the holder came. Putting the new LED in and reassembling the lens and holder was simplicity itself.
Why is the design of the lampholder and lens so unbelievably complex? They only go together one way, with little snibs and notches having to be lined up just so. Why?
On to the festoons in the boot; I only have 1 light in my boot - behind the charging socket. I haven't worked out how to get at it yet, but spent quite a while looking for the one on the passenger (left) side. Would someone who's fitted this light please post a photo so I have some idea where to look?
Incidentally, if you want to fool the boot lid into thinking it's shut, take a Philips screwdriver and press the shank into the slot on the boot lock, where the hasp engages. Press gently until the mechanism locks, then slide the screwdriver out. The boot light goes out a short time afterwards. This is also a brilliant way of preventing the battery conditioner lead from damaging the boot seal - gently lower the boot until the lock rests on the hasp, leaving an inch gap for the conditioner lead. Don't forget to unlock the boot and close it before driving the car - there'll be no warning that the boot is open.
The door lights were very easy. One LED was reluctant to fire up, despite trying both ways round. Are they polarity sensitive?
I had a look at the footwell lights, but couldn't see where the bulb went in on the passenger side, despite using a mirror. I'll try again when the garage gets a bit warmer!
The other maplight lens also popped off, but I squeezed the 2 ears on the lampholder together and pulled, not very hard, and out the holder came. Putting the new LED in and reassembling the lens and holder was simplicity itself.
Why is the design of the lampholder and lens so unbelievably complex? They only go together one way, with little snibs and notches having to be lined up just so. Why?
On to the festoons in the boot; I only have 1 light in my boot - behind the charging socket. I haven't worked out how to get at it yet, but spent quite a while looking for the one on the passenger (left) side. Would someone who's fitted this light please post a photo so I have some idea where to look?
Incidentally, if you want to fool the boot lid into thinking it's shut, take a Philips screwdriver and press the shank into the slot on the boot lock, where the hasp engages. Press gently until the mechanism locks, then slide the screwdriver out. The boot light goes out a short time afterwards. This is also a brilliant way of preventing the battery conditioner lead from damaging the boot seal - gently lower the boot until the lock rests on the hasp, leaving an inch gap for the conditioner lead. Don't forget to unlock the boot and close it before driving the car - there'll be no warning that the boot is open.
The door lights were very easy. One LED was reluctant to fire up, despite trying both ways round. Are they polarity sensitive?
I had a look at the footwell lights, but couldn't see where the bulb went in on the passenger side, despite using a mirror. I'll try again when the garage gets a bit warmer!
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