Interactive hybrid cars resource
GreenHybrid Home - Hybrid Cars
Hybrid Cars Discussion Forums
Hybrid Articles
Hybrid Mileage Database & Car Specs
Hybrid Car Photo Gallery
Shopping Guide for Hybrid Cars


Go Back   GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars > Hybrid Cars > Toyota Camry Hybrid
Register FAQ Members List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Toyota Camry Hybrid The best-selling car in America.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 11-07-2007, 07:24 AM
talmy talmy is offline
Active Enthusiast
 
Location: Oregon
Hybrids: 2007 TCH
Posts: 201
Default Dome lamp replacement

The lamp in the dome light (front roof console, sunroof equipped 07 TCH) burned out. Does anybody know how to access it? All the cars I've owned before, the access was obvious.

The shop manual says the whole assembly comes out, has one check the lamps by applying a battery to the terminals, and then replacing the entire assembly if one of the lights doesn't work!
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 11-07-2007, 12:03 PM
mikieboyblue mikieboyblue is offline
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
 
Real Name: Michael
Location: New York
Hybrids: TCH - 03/30/07
Posts: 995
Default Re: Dome lamp replacement

Quote:
Originally Posted by talmy View Post
The lamp in the dome light (front roof console, sunroof equipped 07 TCH) burned out. Does anybody know how to access it? All the cars I've owned before, the access was obvious.

The shop manual says the whole assembly comes out, has one check the lamps by applying a battery to the terminals, and then replacing the entire assembly if one of the lights doesn't work!
You can pry the clear plastic cover off. Take off one of the sides and then take off the middle. If you look closely at the cover you will notice a few small pry points (small rectangular changes in the plastic design). Pry there (a knife blade should work or a screw driver. You can wrap it in scotch tape.) Be gentle.

Once off, be very careful taking out the bulb as you do not want to twist it and accidentally remove the socket. The bulbs were very hard to get out because they do not protrude much from the housing. I used a small pair of pliers. It is a pain, just go easy on it.

That's how I did it and have removed then at least four times as I decided if I wanted white or blue LEDs in there. I stuck with the blue.

Honestly, I feel it was a horrible design for the end-user. A perfect design to generate dealership money via service appointments.

The back reading lights require you to remove the entire unit. Once that is out they are a piece of cake. The shop manual has pretty good instructions on disengaging the clips.

The door marker lights just pop out and the trunk interior light is just a nice easy guard. The license plate lights suck.

Good luck!

Last edited by mikieboyblue : 11-07-2007 at 12:05 PM.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 11-07-2007, 12:37 PM
talmy talmy is offline
Active Enthusiast
 
Location: Oregon
Hybrids: 2007 TCH
Posts: 201
Default Re: Dome lamp replacement

Thanks. I'll give it a go this weekend.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 11-07-2007, 03:14 PM
Islander Islander is offline
2nd Driver
 
Real Name: Will F
Location: Honolulu
Hybrids: Jasper TCH
Posts: 24
Default Re: Dome lamp replacement

Quote:
Originally Posted by mikieboyblue View Post
...

... if I wanted white or blue LEDs ...

...
How do LEDs compare to the bulbs?
Where does one find LEDs?
How easy is it to determine what LED to use?
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 11-07-2007, 08:25 PM
mikieboyblue mikieboyblue is offline
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
 
Real Name: Michael
Location: New York
Hybrids: TCH - 03/30/07
Posts: 995
Default Re: Dome lamp replacement

Quote:
Originally Posted by Islander View Post
How do LEDs compare to the bulbs?
If you get an LED with 6 or more it will be brighter than the bulb there. They also draw less power (not that that matters much though). Here is a guy that has a few pictures up there. I used this as a guide. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2379023/4

Quote:
Originally Posted by Islander View Post
Where does one find LEDs?
Excellent prices and customer support. Very fast and will take back unused bulbs.
http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm

Quote:
Originally Posted by Islander View Post
How easy is it to determine what LED to use?
Determine what type of regular bulb it is and then match it up on the site.

I swapped out the following (cost ~ $20 -25 USD -- I think):
- Let me know if you want to see some pics. I still have to add in the cathods.

WLED 6-LED wedge 194/168 bulb blue:
  • Front driver and passenger map lights (2)
  • Front center dome light (1)
  • Front driver and passenger lower door light (2)
  • Rear reading lights (2)

WLED 6-LED wedge 194/168 bulb white
  • Trunk light (1)
*Tried a 12-LED wedge but it was too big.

74 Wedge Base LED bulb blue
  • Shift box light (1)

Did not change
  • License place light (because I haven't had a chance)
  • Vanity lights (because the 6-LED white was not as bright given the semi-directional light output of an LED)

Mike

Last edited by mikieboyblue : 11-07-2007 at 08:27 PM.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 11-08-2007, 04:46 AM
KTLane's Avatar
KTLane KTLane is offline
Future ATC
 
Real Name: Katie
Location: dannemora, ny
Hybrids: 2008 TCH
Posts: 165
Default Re: Dome lamp replacement

Quote:
Originally Posted by mikieboyblue View Post

74 Wedge Base LED bulb blue
  • Shift box light (1)

Can you tell me how to change that?
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 11-08-2007, 06:43 PM
mikieboyblue mikieboyblue is offline
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
 
Real Name: Michael
Location: New York
Hybrids: TCH - 03/30/07
Posts: 995
Default Re: Dome lamp replacement

Quote:
Originally Posted by KTLane View Post
Can you tell me how to change that?
"K to the Tlane..." .... gosh I've always wanted to do that :-P

Go here: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...5&postcount=24

Pretty simple. But do remove the pillars.
  1. Pull off (literally) the pillars along side the compartment below the HVAC.
  2. Remove your shift knob if you have the sport one, I don't know if the regular one gets in the way as well.
  3. Open the cup holder.
  4. Pull up on the lower right side of the shift console.
  5. Take out the tiny bulb in the lower left corner. Be careful to not drop it. I had to use pliers.
  6. Make sure it works.
  7. Put everything back :-)...

If you want pictures I can take mine apart and post pictures.

Mike
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Similar Threads
Thread Topic Starter Forum Replies Last Post
12V Battery Replacement GaryG Ford Escape Hybrid &
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
45 11-08-2007 04:23 PM
Safety issue with replacement windshields rscott Toyota Camry Hybrid 0 06-30-2007 05:12 AM
Fog Lamp cary Mendelsohn Ford Escape Hybrid &
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
1 05-27-2007 10:23 AM
cost of replacement traction battery fullofbeans Toyota Camry Hybrid 2 01-05-2007 07:38 PM
Fog Lamp Replacement Bob259 Toyota Highlander Hybrid &
Lexus RX 400h
2 09-11-2006 08:35 PM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:46 AM.



This website is made possible by people like you.
Thank you.


HOME   .   DISCUSS   .   LEARN   .   COMPARE   .   SHARE   .   SHOP

About      Press Release      Contact

Suggested Link      Promote Hybrids      Site Store




COPYRIGHT © 2005-2006 Internet Brands, Inc. | Privacy Policy

SEO by vBSEO 3.0.0