Front and rear dome light LED upgrade

[redbutcher]

Hi all,

Just replaced all my dome lights in my MK7 with LED equivalents. The SE doesn't come with LED lighting already fitted in the front and rear dome lights whereas the GT and above does.

Examples of LEDs that will fit:-
You'll need two packs of the first link.
Clicky

Clicky

So to replace the front dome lights:-

As you open the sun glasses holder, at the back you will see two small thin holes at the back located in the sun glasses holder.

Push a flat headed screwdriver into each hole which will release the first set of clips to allow you to lower the lighting unit.

Release all the other clips (you should just be able to gently pull on the unit down from the roof).

The bulbs are located in the black raised area with a turn clip situated on the top.

Turn each clip to release the bulb holder.

Turn off the lights using the switch, or unplug the cable as the bulbs will be hot.

Replace each bulb with the LED equivalent.

Plug the cable in if you've unplugged it and push the unit back into the roof.

Job done!

To replace the rear lights:-

You need to pry off the plastic housing covering the lights.

There are clips at each end and others along the side.

Its easier to start at the end using a small flat headed screwdriver to release one of the clips and then work your way around.

Once you've released enough of them, you should be able to gentle pull the cover away.

The bulbs again will be hot so switch off at the front using the master switch.

These bulbs were quite hard to pull out, so I used a plastic tool just to lever the bulbs out a bit before then pulling them out.

Replace with the LED equivalents.

Push the plastic cover back on.

Job done!

 

[Anthony1]

Worth mentioning if the led doesn't work when you switch power on, turn the bulb around as they only work with current passing in one direction.

Do you find the light a bit dim or is it good enough?

 

[redbutcher]

Yes good point re polarity. They seem ok, but yet to try them in the dark to be honest. Much better colour anyway.

 

[Anthony1]

Nice. I did it on my saab years ago when available LEDs weren't as bright as SMD ones these days and had to install footwell lighting they were so bad. Please do update as I might do the mod on mine.

 

[redbutcher]

Ok, I'll get some pics up when it's darker so you get an idea what they're like.

 

[Anthony1]

Nice one. thanks. Car looks sweet in your Avatar BTW

 

[redbutcher]

Cheers mate, more pics in members journals section .

 

[redbutcher]

Quick pic of the rear LED - the light is the same at the front.

 

[Anthony1]

Like a little sun! Well done man. Added to the list!

 

[redbutcher]

defo worth doing. If you can get access to VCDS worth doing the number plate bulbs too.

 

[mlewando]

Hello,

I just tried to follow up this thread and exchange my front and rear dome lights, but:
- cannot find thin hole in sunglasses holder? Could you please show me which one is it?
- tried to pull rear unit, but it sits very firm. I was affraid to break something. Was it also hard in your case?

Nevertheless, I managed to exchange visor lights (x2), glovebox and trunk. Awesome effect. Only dome lights left.

Please help

 

[mlewando]

Ok I have managed to do it myself. I used 2 SMD LED for front and rear dome lights. I didnt want the lights to be too bright, in spite of this they turned out to be bring A LOT of light. In trunk there is 6 SMD LED. Made It also for glovebox and visors.
Very decent and cheap upgrade. Gives more classy look!

Wysłane z iPhone za pomocą Tapatalk

 

[redbutcher]

Didn't see your earlier message but glad you got there in the end. Definitely worth doing and does make a difference to the interior I agree .

 

[eldimoni14]

Removal of rear dome cover

I appreciate this is a slightly old post, but maybe someone can advise with this....

When you mention to pry off the cover, do you mean just the perspex plastic covering the lights or does the whole light unit come out? When I just tried this the whole unit came out with an electrical wire attached.

I couldn't see any way to change the bulbs from pulling the whole unit out; the bulbs are encased in a plastic dome from behind and there are some non moveable metal parts (including the electrical contact for the bulb) so I assume Im doing something wrong.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mlewando]

I appreciate this is a slightly old post, but maybe someone can advise with this....

When you mention to pry off the cover, do you mean just the perspex plastic covering the lights or does the whole light unit come out? When I just tried this the whole unit came out with an electrical wire attached.

I couldn't see any way to change the bulbs from pulling the whole unit out; the bulbs are encased in a plastic dome from behind and there are some non moveable metal parts (including the electrical contact for the bulb) so I assume Im doing something wrong.

Thanks in advance!

Yayks! You pulled out too much! The thing is to pry off ONLY the plastic covering, not the whole unit. It could be difficult to fit the screwdriver in space beetween covering and unit, but patience is your friend