Trunk light replacement (1st generation)

[BobbyC777]

Gang - (2011 Genesis Sedan)

I want to update my trunk lights to LEDs. I removed one of the lamp assemblies but I cannot disassemble it to get at the bulb. I've worked on it a lot and pried & squeezed as hard as I dare. It appears there is an holder assembly (black) that drops into a plastic case which includes the lens - but I cannot remove the holder.



I give up - what's the trick?

Thanks!

 

[dareckibmw]

IIRC, I've used a knife blade to open them up...a screwdriver would not fit in between assembly and a case.

 

[BobbyC777]

Success !

I managed to get the trunk light unit disassembled without breaking anything. This is my first attempt at posting pictures so wish me luck.

With the assembly out of the car insert a thin knife blade down between the black casing and the metal strip which runs along the inside of the clear housing.
Gently twist the blade to allow the 2 black tabs to disengage from the metal strip. The tabs are 1.5" apart.

-------------

While pressure is being applied to release the tabs insert a flat bladed screwdriver on the other side between the bottom of the black case and the clear lens assembly. Twist the screwdriver to apply force so that the black case separates from the lens.

--------------

What it looks like with cover almost removed. Bulb = 31mm festoon.

--------------

My plan is to install LEDs but I have yet to purchase them. Stay tuned.

 

[Bill K]

Re: Success !

This is the method that I used.
Knife and screwdriver.

I bought 31mm 6 LED festoons on Amazon. They were pretty cheap.

PS Buy an extra one for the glove box.....The holder is the same.

PSS Make sure the LED's are pointing down.

$3.40 each
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ZVZNPM...20&ascsubtag=4a251a2ef9bbf4ccc35f97aba2c9cbda

Takes about 2 weeks delivery.

 

[dareckibmw]

31mm LED wasn't bright enough, so I've put there 36mm, check my post there http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showpost.php?p=145941&postcount=86

 

[BobbyC777]

can cover be used with 6 LED festoon?

I bought 31mm 6 LED festoons on Amazon. They were pretty cheap.

PS Buy an extra one for the glove box.....The holder is the same.

Thanks, Bill. I was told (by a supplier) that the LED width is 21mm. The black housing that slips over the holder is about 17 mm so I didn't think this LED would fit. Did you use the case or just leave it off? Any mods required?

How do they look? Anything would be better than the pathetic stock bulbs.

 

[Bill K]

Re: can cover be used with 6 LED festoon?

The ones from my link fit without any problems.
They are 16mm wide.
They could be a little brighter, but are very white.
Since they are cheap, I would buy two or three extra.....just in case...

 

[BobbyC777]

31mm LED wasn't bright enough, so I've put there 36mm, check my post there http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showpost.php?p=145941&postcount=86

Dareck -

Read your post (actually all 13 pages (!) of the thread - good stuff).

I can't tell from the picture how many LEDs there are on those festoons since they are facing down. DiodeDynamics sells a 31mm festoon that has 6 LEDS in a 2x3 configuration which makes in considerably wider than the metal end caps. I don't think I could get the black cover back on over them but not sure why I'd need the cover. Where did your 36mm festoons come from? Thanks!

 

[dareckibmw]

I bought all my LED's from AutoZone. They don't have those little led's like festoon's have...they look more like a bulb, exactly what you see in my pictures.

 

[BobbyC777]

trunk lights installed

I got my trunk light LEDs from Diode Dynamics. They replace the incandescent 31 mm festoons. Each one has 6 LEDs. They cost $8 each.

original bulb & new LED

LED installed (LEDs facing down)

I tried to take pictures of how the trunk looked at night but didn't have any luck. I would say it is about 10x brighter than stock. You won't need sunglasses but it is very good and a nice cool white light.

Someone said that they used 37 mm festoon LEDs but I think that would be tough to squeeze in there.

Note that the trunk light assembly was replaced without the black cover. It wouldn't fit with the new LED.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!