How to access maplight bulbs in 95 vert

[Echo]

I've ordered a set of 10 LEDs to swap into my Gauges and HVAC but I'm going to have 3 extra. I was going to put these into my license plate lights, but after thinking it over I'd rather put them into the Map/Reading lights located on my rear-view mirror. I've Googled, Binged, Yahoo!ed and generally searched for a write-up on how to access the bulbs for a 95 vert and if they're the same size but I'm only able to find write-ups on coupes, which is a totally different design. Anyone know the best way to access these bullbs, and if the 194 LEDs will fit the map lights, or if I wil need to order an alternate size?

 

[joekd]

You need to take a very small flat head screwdriver (and by very small I mean tiny) and pry the lens out by the corner, they are not 168/194, they were the tube style (161?)

Thsi is a pic I foudn online of the bulbs once you get the lens off

 

[whiplash473]

its a festoon bulb in the maps not a 194

EDIT: here's what i have in mine......festoon 9 led

 

[joekd]

That's the word I couldn't think of, festoon bulbs

 

[Echo]

Thanks to both of you, answered my question fully and pointed me in the right direction to proceed.


Follow-up: Looking around online, Im' seeing a few different sizes, i think based on the length of the bulb. Any idea of the right one to go with or should I just pop a stock bulb out and measure the length?

 

[whiplash473]

no problem.....just go with the one i posted above.....9 led lights up my car just fine

EDIT: shit im not sure if im accurate on this dude i just saw that its fora vert.....guess i just didnt see that before......you just have maplights on the rear view mirror dont you? that i dont know about......but what joekd posted looks the same so maybe they use the same bulbs in the mirror/maplights as they do in the hardtop dome lights

 

[Echo]

no problem.....just go with the one i posted above.....9 led lights up my car just fine

EDIT: shit im not sure if im accurate on this dude i just saw that its fora vert.....guess i just didnt see that before......you just have maplights on the rear view mirror dont you? that i dont know about......but what joekd posted looks the same so maybe they use the same bulbs in the mirror/maplights as they do in the hardtop dome lights

Lol yup, just two tiny ass useless lights in the mirror. Hopeing it'll help to make them some super-brights. Next step will be wiring in some LED strips in the floorboards. I mainly was looking to find out it they were the same as the LED in the gauge for now, since it's a different bulb type, I won't be needing the information until I decide to order them seperate, and I may just go with the LED strips before I bother with that.

 

[joekd]

You are going to still want the footwell lighting, my aftermarket mirror had a better light pattern then the OEM adn even with LED in those you couldn't see crap

Look at the before and after shots I put in this thread
http://sn95forums.com/showthread.ph...ghting-Trunk-LEDs-installed-updated-6-12-2012

 

[Echo]

You are going to still want the footwell lighting, my aftermarket mirror had a better light pattern then the OEM adn even with LED in those you couldn't see crap

Look at the before and after shots I put in this thread
http://sn95forums.com/showthread.ph...ghting-Trunk-LEDs-installed-updated-6-12-2012

Your thread is actually what pushed me to really want to upgrade the lighting. I've hated it but never really thought about doing it. The LEDs were just 'Hey if these fit why not with the extras' sort of deal. i definitely plan to do as you did. I always considered the LED strips only useful as crappy-looking colored accent lights but never really considered using them practically until I found your thread. If you ever have time I'd love to see a more detailed step-by-step on which wires to tap, and where you positioned your strips exactly. I should really invest in a multimeter thought I don't really know how to use it. Finding which wires go to the lights sounds pretty simple, though.

 

[joekd]

I ran the wires for my footwell LEDs all the way up to the OEM mirror wiring harness, sounds harder then it really is. Just pull off A-pillar and roof edge plasitc, run wire, replace

All the map lights are good for is reading something in the dark

 

[Musturd]

He's right his foot lighting setup is super clean and nice . I'm doing it as well after seeing his setup

 

[Echo]

I ran the wires for my footwell LEDs all the way up to the OEM mirror wiring harness, sounds harder then it really is. Just pull off A-pillar and roof edge plasitc, run wire, replace

All the map lights are good for is reading something in the dark

I'm very truly a complete novice with everything cars. I like to consider myself a quick learner, though I'll still have to do a bit more research before I attempt this one. Pulling off trim pieces really worries me unless I know where all the tabs and such are in advance, I'm terrified to snap a few off and have a hanging piece.

 

[joekd]

Pillar is easy, just a rubber plug at the top then pull right off, if I remember the top edge trim was just a matter of removing the visors and the visor holders

I thought I had all my wire colors too but al I can find is the harness colors for my mirror, sorry but unles sI find a reason to pull my car apart you are on your own to find the correct + and - in the mirror wires

 

[Echo]

Pillar is easy, just a rubber plug at the top then pull right off, if I remember the top edge trim was just a matter of removing the visors and the visor holders

I thought I had all my wire colors too but al I can find is the harness colors for my mirror, sorry but unles sI find a reason to pull my car apart you are on your own to find the correct + and - in the mirror wires

I think I can handle the wiring part. Like I said, plastic tabs just terrify me. I'm working my way up there. I'll be doing the LED gauge swap this weekend, and I might even try and put the cupholder swap in myself. That may be a big enough confidence boost to go pulling more shit apart.

 

[joekd]

I didn't bother changing my main gauges to LED, have them somewhere in my toolbox but just never bothered since I kind of like the OEM color at night. I did do my HVAC bulbs though so they are blue to match my recolored clock.

Cupholder is another mod I could never see, my 00 Gt had the dual cupholders OEM and I just found them in the way. Think I am one of the few who like the "robotic arm" style

 

[Echo]

I didn't bother changing my main gauges to LED, have them somewhere in my toolbox but just never bothered since I kind of like the OEM color at night. I did do my HVAC bulbs though so they are blue to match my recolored clock.

Cupholder is another mod I could never see, my 00 Gt had the dual cupholders OEM and I just found them in the way. Think I am one of the few who like the "robotic arm" style

You mean the little fold out cup-holder? I don't mind it that much. The big issue is that it gets in the way of my top switch, and that it's only a single cupholder, so when me and my girl are in there she has to hold her drink in her lap. Plus the ashtray just attracts a dirty console, and I'm missing the insert. Although I'm sure having two cupholders for storage will too. What kind of film did you use for your clock? I noticed people saying it was called 'Blue Lightning' or something but when i tried googling for the same type of film I couldn't find any brands by that name. I found some cheap-o stuff on Ebay but I held off on ordering it because I'm worried it won't be deep enough blue.

 

[joekd]

It's called blue gel lighting film, mine is pretty much just the cheap stuff off ebay. I also made a clear lens for my clock to make it a nice pure blue.

 

[Echo]

It's called blue gel lighting film, mine is pretty much just the cheap stuff off ebay. I also made a clear lens for my clock to make it a nice pure blue.

Yeah thats the part I'm not so looking forward to. How does it turnout without the clear lens?

 

[joekd]

It will be blue but pretty dim, the lens is very easy to do though, I just cut a small piece of clear lexan using my dremel and hot glued it in place

 

[Echo]

It will be blue but pretty dim, the lens is very easy to do though, I just cut a small piece of clear lexan using my dremel and hot glued it in place

I'll take your word for it. I'll be going out to get a dremel this friday. Any suggestions on a model for ~40$, preferably less? I don't expect to use it very heaviy, just occasionally for applications like this.