Swapping Interior bulbs....How do I remove protective covers?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,859
Likes: 12
From: Waipahu, Waikele, HI
Swapping Interior bulbs....How do I remove protective covers?
Sorry if this was an old thread....I tried searching...but no tips were found.
Any quick and easy way of doing this? Use a small flat head screwdriver or do I have to remove my door panel / trim pieces?
I tried the small screwdriver, but it got to the point where i was gonna crack it. Any tips?
Pete
Any quick and easy way of doing this? Use a small flat head screwdriver or do I have to remove my door panel / trim pieces?
I tried the small screwdriver, but it got to the point where i was gonna crack it. Any tips?
Pete
Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: California
i'd find a relatively broad flat-tip screwdriver. wrap 1-2 layers of electrical tape around the end to protect the plastics from the metal. then work my way around the edge of the cover and see where it clips in. make sure the area is well lit so you see into the crevice you're creating with the screwdriver so you can locate where the cover clips into the plastic mold piece. they usually pop right out!
for the door pieces, i would work on the front or back areas of the cover first. i think that's how i did it before.
good luck!
for the door pieces, i would work on the front or back areas of the cover first. i think that's how i did it before.
good luck!
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
I just went through this myself. I used a thin flathead screwdriver and stuck a piece of cardboard in the crack against the interior so I wouldn't scar/scratch it while prying.
For the door lights, there are 4 tabs that snap and hold it on...2 on the top outside edge and 2 on the bottom outside edges. I was afraid I'd break it too, but you won't...just keep prying and don't be afraid to get a little rough with it
My bigger problem was getting the bulbs out of the doors...I ended up having the dealership pull them out because I couldn't grab em with my big fingers.
For the front dome light and map light cover it's tougher because it's a deep cover and it's really easy to scratch the plastic trim. Basically the same method...once you get it going and about 1/2 way loose don't give up just get tough with it and it'll come out.
As for the rear reading lights...I have no clue. The same method would probably work but I figured I'd just let the dealer do it. You might just want to do that as well...they only charged me $15
Hope it helps -- Charles
For the door lights, there are 4 tabs that snap and hold it on...2 on the top outside edge and 2 on the bottom outside edges. I was afraid I'd break it too, but you won't...just keep prying and don't be afraid to get a little rough with it
My bigger problem was getting the bulbs out of the doors...I ended up having the dealership pull them out because I couldn't grab em with my big fingers. For the front dome light and map light cover it's tougher because it's a deep cover and it's really easy to scratch the plastic trim. Basically the same method...once you get it going and about 1/2 way loose don't give up just get tough with it and it'll come out.
As for the rear reading lights...I have no clue. The same method would probably work but I figured I'd just let the dealer do it. You might just want to do that as well...they only charged me $15
Hope it helps -- Charles
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,277
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From: Alabama
Howd it turn out Pete? 
How many lights are in the dome light?
I just ordered 2 pairs of LED 194 bulbs to do some of the interior. So that's 4 bulbs I have in my posession.
Okay, 1 for each door on the bottom. How many in the dome light?
How many lights are in the dome light?
I just ordered 2 pairs of LED 194 bulbs to do some of the interior. So that's 4 bulbs I have in my posession.
Okay, 1 for each door on the bottom. How many in the dome light?
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Brendan...there are 3 lights in the dome light, 1 actual dome light and the 2 map lights, but none of them are 194s. The dome light is a M16 and the map lights are M17, but I may have that backwards...check rominl's sticky post for most all the GS bulbs.
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Originally posted by 04GS300
Brendan...there are 3 lights in the dome light, 1 actual dome light and the 2 map lights, but none of them are 194s. The dome light is a M16 and the map lights are M17, but I may have that backwards...check rominl's sticky post for most all the GS bulbs.
Brendan...there are 3 lights in the dome light, 1 actual dome light and the 2 map lights, but none of them are 194s. The dome light is a M16 and the map lights are M17, but I may have that backwards...check rominl's sticky post for most all the GS bulbs.
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,859
Likes: 12
From: Waipahu, Waikele, HI
Originally posted by brendanlim
Howd it turn out Pete?
How many lights are in the dome light?
I just ordered 2 pairs of LED 194 bulbs to do some of the interior. So that's 4 bulbs I have in my posession.
Okay, 1 for each door on the bottom. How many in the dome light?
Howd it turn out Pete?
How many lights are in the dome light?
I just ordered 2 pairs of LED 194 bulbs to do some of the interior. So that's 4 bulbs I have in my posession.
Okay, 1 for each door on the bottom. How many in the dome light?
I swapped out the door panels and the rear map lights with 194 Super White LEDs. The dome...Im ordering 4-LED Superwhite. The maps...I getting 363 LED Super Whites. The small lights in footwells and glove box....Im leaning towards Super White Incandescent cuz its only 1.5 watts. The vanity mirror bulb is a tough one. I'll keep them stock until I can find it.
Pete
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
2 questions, Pete...what is the bulb for the footwell lights and how the heck did you get to the rear map lights? I ran out of courage prying on that one! Is there a particular area to pry on? Thanks!
Originally posted by 04GS300
2 questions, Pete...what is the bulb for the footwell lights and how the heck did you get to the rear map lights? I ran out of courage prying on that one! Is there a particular area to pry on? Thanks!
2 questions, Pete...what is the bulb for the footwell lights and how the heck did you get to the rear map lights? I ran out of courage prying on that one! Is there a particular area to pry on? Thanks!
and yeah pete, footwell i need!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,859
Likes: 12
From: Waipahu, Waikele, HI
Originally posted by 04GS300
2 questions, Pete...what is the bulb for the footwell lights and how the heck did you get to the rear map lights? I ran out of courage prying on that one! Is there a particular area to pry on? Thanks!
2 questions, Pete...what is the bulb for the footwell lights and how the heck did you get to the rear map lights? I ran out of courage prying on that one! Is there a particular area to pry on? Thanks!
Bulb in footwell is #74.
Rear map lights...to remove that bulb....I had to removed the entire unit. Open coat hanger tab....look inside...there's a screw that you must remove. After you done with that....shift the unit towards the front of the car...approx. 1/8"...then pull out slowly....alot of dust crap fell out. I used Polard M4 in there....thinking about swapping them to Superwhite Inverted LEDs later....in any case...make sure you clean the bulb...you dont want the oils from you hand on the bulb.....unless its an LED...then you dont have to worry about the oils.
Pete
Originally posted by PHML
Guyz...sorry for the delay.
Bulb in footwell is #74.
Rear map lights...to remove that bulb....I had to removed the entire unit. Open coat hanger tab....look inside...there's a screw that you must remove. After you done with that....shift the unit towards the front of the car...approx. 1/8"...then pull out slowly....alot of dust crap fell out. I used Polard M4 in there....thinking about swapping them to Superwhite Inverted LEDs later....in any case...make sure you clean the bulb...you dont want the oils from you hand on the bulb.....unless its an LED...then you dont have to worry about the oils.
Pete
Guyz...sorry for the delay.
Bulb in footwell is #74.
Rear map lights...to remove that bulb....I had to removed the entire unit. Open coat hanger tab....look inside...there's a screw that you must remove. After you done with that....shift the unit towards the front of the car...approx. 1/8"...then pull out slowly....alot of dust crap fell out. I used Polard M4 in there....thinking about swapping them to Superwhite Inverted LEDs later....in any case...make sure you clean the bulb...you dont want the oils from you hand on the bulb.....unless its an LED...then you dont have to worry about the oils.
Pete
umm that's weird. i just pry open the lens and pull out the bulb?
and #74 that is. can you get superwhite for that though
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,859
Likes: 12
From: Waipahu, Waikele, HI
Originally posted by rominl
umm that's weird. i just pry open the lens and pull out the bulb?
umm that's weird. i just pry open the lens and pull out the bulb?
Originally posted by rominl
...and #74 that is. can you get superwhite for that though
...and #74 that is. can you get superwhite for that though
Mines are in-transit. I will post pics on this thread when I got them installed.
Pete
Originally posted by PHML
Ummm...you must have skinny fingers cuz I couldn't get my fingers in there. Anyways...you know what they say about guyz with skinny fingers, huh?
The Super White #74 is a blue-glass bulb. The Super White LED #74 is clear.
Mines are in-transit. I will post pics on this thread when I got them installed.
Pete
Ummm...you must have skinny fingers cuz I couldn't get my fingers in there. Anyways...you know what they say about guyz with skinny fingers, huh?
The Super White #74 is a blue-glass bulb. The Super White LED #74 is clear.
Mines are in-transit. I will post pics on this thread when I got them installed.
Pete
oh shut up dude
i actually used a little flat head screw driver and a cloth covering it, worked oh #74 is superwhite? what brand? now i need