.

[mjhpadi]

Here is the bulb I used in the interior lighting since the one's Mike suggested did not fit due to length http://autolumination.com/images/auto_bulbs/194_ssm_cw_wm.jpg. Just be careful if using this bulb, because it has metal in the housing.

 

[Billm0066]

Autolumination sent me the wrong interior bulbs. I ordered the 6,000k smt 2 towers and they sent me the really large towers. The license plate bulbs were a piece of cake to swap, and tomorrow I will swap the puddle lights and side markers. The cost of these really start to add up.

 

[mjhpadi]

Autolumination sent me the wrong interior bulbs. I ordered the 6,000k smt 2 towers and they sent me the really large towers. The license plate bulbs were a piece of cake to swap, and tomorrow I will swap the puddle lights and side markers. The cost of these really start to add up.

Exactly what happened to me, the interior tower bulbs didn't fit inside the housing so I used the other bulbs. Be forewarned, I just discovered that the bulbs I use emit a very, very dim light when the car lights are on. According to Autolumination this is because there is still a trickle of power to the interior lights that isn't enough to light the normal 194 bulbs but will light the LED. They say it can be corrected by adding a 100 amp load equalizer to each bulb. I'm not going to do that. Now the front map lights and the middle light in the overhead are very, very dim when the lights are on. It reminds me of the lights in a movie theater they are very dim during the movie but still on. The lights (LED) in the car are so dim that they don't distract at all, I kinda like the way they work, BTW they do shut off completely when the car is shut off.
Yeah, these bulbs do add $$ pretty quickly. I haven't done the side marker lights yet, it's just still to darn cold to work on them.

 

[mjhpadi]

It's really strange but I'm thinking the tower LED lights have changed, because the ones I first received had 4 rows of two leds and only 1 on the end, yet yours' shows 3 leds on the end of the bulb. What's really strange is that I ordered a 916 led bulb for the side markers (I couldn't read follow the square in the owner's manual) instead of a 168 replacement and it looks like the bulbs you used in the interior except that it has 4 rows of 2 leds on the sides and only 1 on the top. I'm pretty sure the bulbs I got for the side markers will work, since the base is the same as a194 base. These bulbs are much shorter then the ones I first received to use in the interior, but look identical to the ones you (Mike) used in the side markers (other then the order number was different). I'm really pretty happy with the looks of the LEDs, and I also replaced the bulb in the trunk...used the same bulb as the license plate bulb.

 

[mjhpadi]

Oh, BTW, my overhead light fixture (between the front and rear seat) are different from either shown in this thread, mine is a one piece and you remove the bulbs from the back in the same manner that you would change an instrument gauge light. Turn the black base about 180 degrees and the bulb comes out of the ficture, pull old bulb out put new bulb in and twist the base back into the fixture. Just have to be careful not to bend the metal, also I discovered that you should disconnet the single pole lead to the fixture before replacing or removing any bulbs, it will prevent you from causing a short and blowing fuse #25....and yes, I found out the hard way.........

 

[Billm0066]

http://autolumination.com/194.htm

The second ones down is what I ordered in the 6,000k. If you look at the pictures of them they are all short but the purple ones. It doesnt show this, but the 6,000k ones are also the same size as the purple ones and they dont fit. I ordered two amber ones and those were shorter. Autolumination is making me pay shipping back to them, plus shipping on the new ones. It's really stupid because it is their fault. I might just get a refund on those.

I did the puddle lights last night and it was a piece of cake. It took 30 minutes plus drying time.

 

[TwistedD85]

after I found out the side flood light use a 31mm bulb I order me a pair and used my Dremel tool to cut the black plastic off.

I changed the dome light some blue led smd flat lights 3x4 (12) smd's
and the turn signals to blue also

Blue turn signals? Is that legal in Washington? I've always lived in an area where any blue light, other than headlamps, were illegal on any civilian vehicle. That and they're blue, not amber, that alone would make me weary around a cop.

 

[way2evil]

Blue turn signals? Is that legal in Washington? I've always lived in an area where any blue light, other than headlamps, were illegal on any civilian vehicle. That and they're blue, not amber, that alone would make me weary around a cop.

You changed the turn signals and now have hyperflash?

 

[mjhpadi]

Just tried to get to the side marker lights the way the manual says to do it. I can barely get my fingers on the bulb, but there isn't enough room to turn or remove the fixture...I don't think it is possible to change this bulb according to the owner's manual, going to do it the way it's explained in this thread...thanks again, Mike. :thankyou:

 

[TwistedD85]

You changed the turn signals and now have hyperflash?

Who? Me? I was asking a question about someone else's setup.

 

[way2evil]

Who? Me? I was asking a question about someone else's setup.

No, whoevers pic that was. Wanted to see if he got hyperflash from changing the turn signals

 

[mjhpadi]

Just spent the last two hours trying to get the fixture to put the LED bulbs in the side marker light. I couldn't get at the fixture no way, no how...I have given up replacing the bulbs, until I have help from someone more flexible then me. I have managed to twist my left wrist and my right knee in the process....I'm mighty disgusted with how difficult it is to get to that side marker bulb.

 

[Showgun]

take a break....don't beat yourself up for a couple of lights.....
You might call the dealer and get a tip from them. Surely they must have a trick or 2 for this.

 

[Billm0066]

Why not just pull the bumper and remove the headlights? The last three cars I've owned had to have the fascia pulled off to access the headlights. It shouldnt be that hard.

 

[mjhpadi]

Just returned from having car serviced and the dealer attempted to put my LED bulbs in the front side marker lights. I have the same bulbs as pictured in Mike's "how-to" and these bulbs would not fit in the front marker sockets. I have ordered different shorter bulbs like the ones I used in the interior so they should fit. So be advised, I believe the amount of room in the the cars produced later the bpd1151's may need shorter bulbs for the interior and front marker lights then the one's Mike shows. Hope this avoids anyone having the same problems that I have encountered.

 

[Showgun]

Just returned from having car serviced and the dealer attempted to put my LED bulbs in the front side marker lights. I have the same bulbs as pictured in Mike's "how-to" and these bulbs would not fit in the front marker sockets. I have ordered different shorter bulbs like the ones I used in the interior so they should fit. So be advised, I believe the amount of room in the the cars produced later the bpd1151's may need shorter bulbs for the interior and front marker lights then the one's Mike shows. Hope this avoids anyone having the same problems that I have encountered.

Oh, not nice Mark......sorry for the not fit situation.
Muchos Gracias for the info -- I'm sure you just saved a bunch of peeps the same inconvenience.....

C.

 

[Showgun]

Why not just pull the bumper and remove the headlights? The last three cars I've owned had to have the fascia pulled off to access the headlights. It shouldnt be that hard.

Probably a walk in the park for you youngsters ----- for us not so flexible and busy seniors it's a little more of a project.
I can imagine it's not that much of a job really but just not the most convenient thing for some of us to do without a lift.

Cheers for the suggestion tho Bill....

C.

 

[Billm0066]

I did the leds in the side markers on the headlights and it was a really tight squeeze. I could just barely get my hand in there to loosen the bulb and reinstall. They look okay, but amber color leds seem to have a slight green tint to me.

 

[mjhpadi]

Yeah, I had the same problem, except my arms are just a little short to reach the sockets and I'm not flexible enough to turn them once I reach them (age showing, I'm afraid). But even the dealer agreed that they are a PITA to change. And as I said they were the ones who discovered that the bulbs won't fit properly...after they were nice enough to agree to help me change them. One the good side, since the bulbs won't fit they refused to charge me for the time they got involved trying to change them...I'm pretty darn pleased with my dealer!

 

[mjhpadi]

Mine fit. It was a PITA though due to the limited amount of room.

After I tinted my heads & tails however, I ended up removing the LED in the outer marker lamp location only and replaced it with a SilverStar.

I did originally order an Amber colored LED but it's not necessary to do so as the housing itself is Amber in color. So I suppose if I felt like monkeying around with it a 3rd time, I'll probably just order up a white or cool white colored type of bulb and see how that fancy's me.

Finally got my LED bulbs installed in the side marker lights. Will post some pictures as soon as I get the camera back from the wifey. Like Mike, the bulbs that came out were white not amber like the manual calls for. They look good, but if I were to replace them I would do a white bulb like Mike is thinking of trying. One note, I was really surprised at how burnt the original bulbs appeared when they were removed. Much darker then I would have thought especially since the car has not been driven much with the lights on, probably less then 3K miles. I think the switch to LED's is a wise move, although like stated before, they are a PITA to get at. Lastly if you decide to do this switch I would give yourself at least 90 minutes to do it. Until you get the front tires removed and loosen the inner fender wells, it is easy to use up to 2 hours to finish this mod.