Dome Light replacement

[Fiat49]

how do you get to the drls???


Sent from my Argento 500

[tpetrillo]

I had a minute this afternoon and I took a small flat head screw driver and gently pryed the dome light out of the headliner (housing). I placed the screw driver inbetween the plastic housing and the head liner. The flat portion of the screw driver was facing in towards the windsheild. The housing came free with little effort. The two bulbs are protected by an off white cover that lifst up for access to the bulbs. Replace the bulbs, put the cover back in place (very easy) and then push the dome light housing back into place in the headliner. Takes about ten minutes. Hope this helps.

[SniperX]

[QUOTE=crzyasian;28794 I am now trying to figure out how to replace the DRL bulbs.

The DRL's are incandescent and the night lights are white, WT...., couldn't figure that one out. So looking for some PIIA lights that are white/blue to change them out with, couldn't figure if the DRL's are socket type of connector or blade type. I did a google search on w21/5W and know that the 5W part just means 5 Watts, as for the W21 not really sure. If anyone knows let me know please[/QUOTE]

You're talking about how the DRL's are dim until you turn on the headlights? Because if it is, it's not the blub. A DRL relay only puts 30-50% power to the light bulbs when activated.

[Irishmykl]

Yes i went to the dealer today and they showed me how to remove the dome light assembly, seemed a lot more simple than people were making it seem. As for the DRLs and turn bulbs, if you turn your steering wheel all the way to one side you will notice a panel inside the wheel well, open it and you have access to the housing, turn the cap and you will have access to the bulbs. They look like this

[Irishmykl]

I had a minute this afternoon and I took a small flat head screw driver and gently pryed the dome light out of the headliner (housing). I placed the screw driver inbetween the plastic housing and the head liner. The flat portion of the screw driver was facing in towards the windsheild. The housing came free with little effort. The two bulbs are protected by an off white cover that lifst up for access to the bulbs. Replace the bulbs, put the cover back in place (very easy) and then push the dome light housing back into place in the headliner. Takes about ten minutes. Hope this helps.

Actually, i don't know if you have the sunroof or not, i do, i was at the dealer today, and he showed me how to pry the light assembly out of the plastic housing that is attached to the headliner. Ill put pics tomorrow when i take it apart.

[taein80]

As for the DRLs and turn bulbs, if you turn your steering wheel all the way to one side you will notice a panel inside the wheel well, open it and you have access to the housing, turn the cap and you will have access to the bulbs. They look like this Attachment 1571Attachment 1572

These pictures you posted, they are Day running light bulbs, right? I am asking b/c your picture says "dome light replacement" instead of "DRL light replacement".
I could be asking stupic questions but I will be the stupid one who will ask and make sure. (I know that the dome lights are not amber color.. but who knows???!!)

Thanks!

[talindsay]

Actually, i don't know if you have the sunroof or not, i do, i was at the dealer today, and he showed me how to pry the light assembly out of the plastic housing that is attached to the headliner. Ill put pics tomorrow when i take it apart.

So, how do you do it? The way tpetrillo described? Can I get to the wires underneath for the purpose of tapping in a homelink mirror?

[Irishmykl]

Yes they are the bulbs for the DRL/Parking Light (clear) and the turn signal light (amber) they are blade type not socket.

These pictures you posted, they are Day running light bulbs, right? I am asking b/c your picture says "dome light replacement" instead of "DRL light replacement".
I could be asking stupic questions but I will be the stupid one who will ask and make sure. (I know that the dome lights are not amber color.. but who knows???!!)

Thanks!

[Irishmykl]

So, how do you do it? The way tpetrillo described? Can I get to the wires underneath for the purpose of tapping in a homelink mirror?

For my car with a sunroof yes similar to the way tpetrillo described it but you don't have to take the whole assembly with the sunroof switch and all out, just the part with clear/smoked plastic. Ill put up pictures today after my class.

[Irishmykl]

Ok here is a visual guide for the dome light. If you don't have a sunroof it should still be the same.
Here is my dome light assembly. I have the Blue&Me(i think everyone does now) and the sunroof.



Insert a flathead screw driver between the light fixture and the sunroof assembly. This took a bit of careful, gently prying (i didn't want to scratch anything.) I focused on the front (closest to the sunroof switch) and close to the corners cause there are clips there.



Here it is disconnected there are 2 wires



Another pic of the 2 wires, the one connected to the side is for the lights, the other one wrapped in foamy stuff is to the microphone for the Blue&Me.



Here is the back side of it notice the clips at the top near the corners. Also be aware i had to peel off a lot of the foamy cover on the Mic wire to be able to unclip the plug.



Insert flathead in one of the 2 side openings and pop it, then you should be able to open it with your fingers.



Here it is open there are 2 festoon bulbs in the center, thats what you need to replace (or upgrade to LEDs)



Heres a close up of the bulbs. i would suggest if you get LEDs, to angle them since most are directional, not sure just yet what the best angle is yet though, either toward the lenses like a / \ upside down V angle, or maybe up at an angle cause the white piece seems to be a reflector of sorts.



Theres your guide, installation is reverse of removal. Hope you enjoy! If you have questions i can try to answer them