bulb or switch? 05' Q45

[iamthewalrus]

This involves the Driver side map lamp (same lamp that illuminates when opening the door).
When I open the door, both the Driver & Passenger side map lamps illuminate (as they should).
The Driver side lamp, however, does not glow as bright, and there is a definite buzzing coming from the lamp.
If I reach up and push the Driver side map light button, the lamp glows to full brightness and the buzzing stops.
Is it the bulb? If not, could it be the switch, or something else?
I realize this is not a major problem, but it is still annoying enough that I'd like to get if resolved. I looked in the service manual and there is not a lot of detail (that I can understand, anyway).
Thanks

[mcrews]

wallrus,
I had the same issue on my 02. I finally just pulled it and put an led in

[djwarner]

Funny, I just noticed this the other night - only my passenger light is the dimmer one. Just not that important to me at the moment to worry about.

[mlawre10]

my 02 is doing the samething, i'm going to replace all interior bulbs with LEDs.....

[iamthewalrus]

So, mcrews...I'm assuming that replacing with LED's took care of the problem? I would then think it's the bulb?

[djwarner]

I did a little playing around when I got home this evening. Both lights came on bright when using the map light and there was no light spilling from one side to the other.

When I turned the ignition off, both lights came on dim.

When I opened the driver's door, the left light came on bright and the right came on dim.
When I opened the passenger door, the right came on bright and the left came on dim.


The D-----d car is smarter than we thought it was. Remember every switch goes into the body computer, sort of fly by wire for the lighting.

[mcrews]

So, mcrews...I'm assuming that replacing with LED's took care of the problem? I would then think it's the bulb?

ahh uuuummmmmm
It seemed to be one of those thing i was always fiddling with. When I went led, I tried to install in both but again (in my q) the driverside was gooffy. It work for a day then just never went off.
So I took uot hte driverside bulb and buttoned it back up.
I am running a little mini panel on the passenger side and get plenty of light.

[iamthewalrus]

So, djwarner...did you notice a buzzing sound coming from the "dim" lights? I'll try your same experiment later. Thx!

[djwarner]

Can't say that I did. However, it would appear that the dimmer setting comes on after turning off the ignition and is simply the starting point for the light fading out at the end of the timing interval.

[xerexabante]

i had this too, i opened the map light assy and bent prongs to map light bulbs tighter to contacts cured the buzzing.

[djwarner]

I was in the Q troubleshooting an inop sunroof. With an ear close to the light assembly, I definitely heard the buzzing you're talking about. This is definitely a function of the dimming circuit. When full bright, a constant 12v is fed to the bulb. When dimmed, a square wave is applied creating the buzz. To cause the light to fade out, the percentage "on" is decreased and the percentage "off" increases until the lamp sees 100% "off".

The buzz sound comes from something being stressed with each "on" cycle. I wouldn't worry about it unless it starts burning out bulbs.

[mlawre10]

i just installed my LEDs domes today and man they are nice/bright!!!!!!

[jseymour]

2002 Q45 map light will not work no matter what bulb is in place.
I want to replace the printed board.
What is the part number and discription for the driver's side map light board?
Thanks
JB

[mcrews]

1. welcome
2. download the field service manual
3. Infinitipartsusa is scottdale Infiniti ASK FOR JOE, we get 25% off.

[thehacker3]

I have the same problem in my 05 Q45. I really don't think it's a big issue unless the bulbs start burning out because of it.

I also never noticed a buzzing sound.

[mcrews]

So there is obviously some design flaw that causes this.
I have 'tightened' the clips a couple of times. But do I tighten the clips on all the other similar items on the car? no.
THe other thing I noticed was that the round bottom of the bulb 'seemed' to be flat instead of round. almost like it was 'wearing off'

Electricity is one of my weak areas. I'm just happy when my $3 pointy test light lights up!
But i wonder if the buzzing is caused by the design flaw farther back and the buzzing is causing some very slight motion in the bulb that cause the clips to loosen???

Like I posted earlier, I simply installed a flat panel led on the passenger side and I have enough light for the whole front.

[thehacker3]

Guys, apparently my lights buzz too, and sometimes it's from BOTH lights; not just the driver's side. I removed the cover to the light panel, and to my surprise I find this:


About 200 little bags (I guess the last owner was a drug dealer?? )

Removing the bags didn't fix the problem, and neither did feeling around up there for loose contacts, so further inspection is probably in order.


You guys brought my attention to the buzzing and now it's mad annoying! GRRRR

[thehacker3]

I'm thinking about replacing the bulbs with LEDs, but only if they're the same yellow-ish color - I don't like the white/blue lights. Does anyone know where I can get these?

[mcrews]

Guys, apparently my lights buzz too, and sometimes it's from BOTH lights; not just the driver's side. I removed the cover to the light panel, and to my surprise I find this:


About 200 little bags (I guess the last owner was a drug dealer?? )

Removing the bags didn't fix the problem, and neither did feeling around up there for loose contacts, so further inspection is probably in order.


You guys brought my attention to the buzzing and now it's mad annoying! GRRRR

anything else we can do ....just let's know~~~~!!!!!