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!

Re: Dome lamp replacement
 

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!

Re: Dome lamp replacement
 

Thanks. I'll give it a go this weekend.

Re: Dome lamp replacement
 

How do LEDs compare to the bulbs?
Where does one find LEDs?
How easy is it to determine what LED to use?

Re: Dome lamp replacement
 

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

Excellent prices and customer support. Very fast and will take back unused bulbs.
http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm

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

Re: Dome lamp replacement
 

Can you tell me how to change that?

Re: Dome lamp replacement
 

"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