Has anyone taken out the vanity mirror light

[JerzeyGT]

If so.... How did u do it and what size is the bulb???

[JerzeyGT]

I think I answered my own question... I went on dealer world..is said they are not serviceable...

[Snakey]

Are you talking about the mirrors in the sun visors? I have had them out several times for my homelink installations. I have extra bulbs laying around here if you need them. Let me know!

[JerzeyGT]

how did you get the lenses off?

[Snakey]

If you're careful, they pry right out. I broke the first mirror I took out which is how I have ended up with some extras. The top is just resting in the frame, the bottom and side tabs are what hold it in. I've had the best luck (have taken 3 apart now) with getting the one side started, then working my way around. Just be careful and it should pop right out. See the pics below:

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv99/ryandsherwood/G8%20Photos/SDC10587.jpg

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv99/ryandsherwood/G8%20Photos/SDC10588.jpg

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv99/ryandsherwood/G8%20Photos/SDC10589.jpg

Hopefully that helps! If you end up breaking a mirror like I did I can sell you one of my extras for a real reasonable price!

[micheal0484]

where are the lights at?

[Snakey]

where are the lights at?
They are the two clear cylinders in between the metal strips.

[R.Penguin]

They are the two clear cylinders in between the metal strips.
F*ck Me! I'd buy a new flashlight before I went to all that work. But penguins are, by nature, lazy, useless louts! Think "feathered couch potato". :p

[Snakey]

Its not that bad really!

[JerzeyGT]

Im gonna give it a shot on monday... I had to get my quad ready for the weekend tonite

[Snakey]

Just take your time and be careful with it!

[micheal0484]

Thanks for the info. I see the lights now, but it would be hard to replace with LEDs

[Remikinz]

anybody have measurements on these bulbs? I found these for replacements but I dont know the size of the bulbs... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200420893211&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

[Snakey]

I measure the bulbs at 35.71 mm long and 5.56 mm wide.

I don't think they'll work. Unless you modify the bulbs to make them longer, maybe some solder on the ends would do the trick? Would only need to add roughly an 1/8th of an inch.

I happen to have a spare passenger visor laying around and would be willing to try it out if someone wants to supply the bulb? :)

[TurboMike]

They are 36mm festoon bulbs. Taked 5 min to seperate the plastic and get to them.

I took my visors out to remove the airbag stickers. While I was messing with it, my gf noted that she tried to use the vanity and the lights were totally useless. I didnt believe her until I put one back in. Wow. Bearly a glow coming through the lenses.

So I figured out how to open the suckers up and fix whatever the problem is. This was engineered to complete retardation levels. First, they used cheap festoon bulbs (look like an old glass fuse). Second, the lenses let very little light through. Third, the bulbs are actually behind the mirror and what light they put out has to be bounced/reflected through the lens. Fourth, instead of a reflective or chrome surface to reflect the light through the lenses, its just black plastic that the whole mirror housing it made out of.

http://trbomike.home.pipeline.com/P1190461.JPG


So when the light comes on, you're looking at a highly opaque lens, at a wall of black plastic, thats has a bulb 90 degrees to the side of.


http://trbomike.home.pipeline.com/newP1190461.JPG


My first thought was I'd have to get a brighter bulb, then spray the black plastic wall with chrome paint to get it to reflect through. Wasnt looking forward to that. Started looking for 36mm festoon bulbs on ebay, and found a guy that makes a fake bulb with two wires that go to an array of LEDs. So i can put in this fake bulb, and have the LEDs in front of the lens itself. Should be a -loooot- brighter. I just ordered them, and will follow up when I get them.

The only problem I can see is that the black plastic wall (thats curved at an angle) wont allow enough room for the LEDs. In that case I'll bring them down with a dremel. I also plan on some foam behind the LED array to press it against the lens. This will #1 make it brighter #2 make sure the LED array doesnt rattle around.

The LED board comes in 6, 12, or 18 LED arrays. 6 LEDs will probably only light up the middle of the lens, 18 LEDs are 50mm x 20mm which is the size of the lens, but I didnt want fitment issues or have to grind down that entire plastic curved part. So I ordered the 12.

Link to LEDs on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380193746130&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I'll post again with results when I get the bulbs.

[Snakey]

Curious to see how this works out for you. Please keep us posted!

[TurboMike]

Full writeup with results:
http://forum.grrrr8.net/showthread.php?p=200856#post200856