changing rear license plate light blubs to LED

[SplitsenseM35]

Hi everyone, does antybody know how to remove the lense to change out this light bulb. I am looking to switch these lights with LED instead of the generic ones. I think they look dull. Also where can i get these bulbs? any specific size needed? Thanks!

[szh]

Hi everyone, does antybody know how to remove the lense to change out this light bulb. I am looking to switch these lights with LED instead of the generic ones. I think they look dull. Also where can i get these bulbs? any specific size needed? Thanks!

The removal process is documented in the Service Manual (link is in my sig), but I am not sure where replacements may be found - I have not looked for these bulbs.

I seem to remember that we have had threads about this in the past. Might be worth a search for it.

Z

[kermit the guy]

all you need to do is take out the black cover piece on the inside trunk off which is held on by pop tabs and then you can see it right there ! while your there change out your reverse lights as well ! you can get the bulbs online or your local aftermarkets car shop , ive seen some at pepboys sometimes

[Twizz]

I got mine from ijdmtoy.com

[moedawg140]

Hi everyone, does antybody know how to remove the lense to change out this light bulb. I am looking to switch these lights with LED instead of the generic ones. I think they look dull. Also where can i get these bulbs? any specific size needed? Thanks!

kermit the guy's method regarding accessing the rear lights is correct. You can purchase any bulb that has "921" as its size and it will fit in the license plate light socket, reverse light socket, and most of our light sockets on our M's. As for where you can get the bulbs, you can go online or to a Pep Boys/Autozone/Kragen type of store, but I prefer to purchase my LEDs from vleds.com. The ones that I use for my license plate are the 5K, High Power bulbs. Gives off that luxury, classy look: http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-Bulb ... 14849.html

As for good reverse lights, after going through several types of lights, I was most happy with the 5K 19 LED 8W High Power bulbs - super bright...you get what you pay for: http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-Bulb ... 07296.html

[SplitsenseM35]

Thanks Everyone! this will be my weekend project!

[kermit the guy]

hey moedawg140, thats the website i forgot to mention ! VLEDS ! ha ha im getting old ! ha ha thanks mang for postin

[moedawg140]

No worries kermit the guy! Happy to share what little I know! :P haha

[bigplayer2382]

Hi everyone, does antybody know how to remove the lense to change out this light bulb. I am looking to switch these lights with LED instead of the generic ones. I think they look dull. Also where can i get these bulbs? any specific size needed? Thanks!

kermit the guy's method regarding accessing the rear lights is correct. You can purchase any bulb that has "921" as its size and it will fit in the license plate light socket, reverse light socket, and most of our light sockets on our M's. As for where you can get the bulbs, you can go online or to a Pep Boys/Autozone/Kragen type of store, but I prefer to purchase my LEDs from vleds.com. The ones that I use for my license plate are the 5K, High Power bulbs. Gives off that luxury, classy look: http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-Bulb ... 14849.html

As for good reverse lights, after going through several types of lights, I was most happy with the 5K 19 LED 8W High Power bulbs - super bright...you get what you pay for: http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-Bulb ... 07296.html

hey buddy, do you have a picture of your license plate lights by chance laying around?

[kermit the guy]

pic of it at night or pic of the light bulb ?

[moedawg140]

pic of it at night or pic of the light bulb ?

I'm assuming bigplayer2382 means a pic of the lights at night, because the website link that I provided in my previous post contains pictures of the light bulbs.

hey buddy, do you have a picture of your license plate lights by chance laying around?

I'll take a picture of my license plate lights tonight and share them on here. (If you want to see just the blubs, they are here: http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-Bulb ... 14849.html) The light that is emitted won't look completely like it will on yours, because my left rear LI sensor (which is installed near the rear view camera) creates a shadow. Needless to say, that shadow won't happen to you, unless you install something that is blocking the light's full output.

[moedawg140]

Here are the photos I took of my High Power 5K LED license plate lights from vleds.com - shown in dusk and night.


Straight view - Dusk #1


Straight view - Dusk #2


Top view right side - Dusk


Top view left side - Night


Top view right side - Night


Top view - Night


Angled view - Night


Straight full view - Night

[jhuerto23]

nice. was it hard to replace the bulbs?

[moedawg140]

nice. was it hard to replace the bulbs?

It isn't difficult at all to replace the bulbs. You don't even need to use any tools. Just pop off the black cover to the trunk, and you'll have access. First time you do it will be a little tricky to manipulate your fingers to the license plate socket, but once you get to it and twist (you can only take the light socket off and on one way), you'll be able to do it without even looking. Make sure to test out the polarity of the light before closing the black cover. Turn on the headlights, and if the LED doesn't turn on, pull out the LED, turn it 180 degrees, reinsert and it will light up. The reverse lights are even easier to get to since you'll be looking directly at the socket once you open up the black cover.

[jhuerto23]

Thank you. Will be replacing mines soon.

[Tiggaman]

Hi everyone, does antybody know how to remove the lense to change out this light bulb. I am looking to switch these lights with LED instead of the generic ones. I think they look dull. Also where can i get these bulbs? any specific size needed? Thanks!

kermit the guy's method regarding accessing the rear lights is correct. You can purchase any bulb that has "921" as its size and it will fit in the license plate light socket, reverse light socket, and most of our light sockets on our M's. As for where you can get the bulbs, you can go online or to a Pep Boys/Autozone/Kragen type of store, but I prefer to purchase my LEDs from vleds.com. The ones that I use for my license plate are the 5K, High Power bulbs. Gives off that luxury, classy look: http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-Bulb ... 14849.html

As for good reverse lights, after going through several types of lights, I was most happy with the 5K 19 LED 8W High Power bulbs - super bright...you get what you pay for: http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-Bulb ... 07296.html

Do you think these same lights will work on 2012 M37S? Is there anything i should consider before putting in an order?

[moedawg140]

The license plate bulbs for your 2012 M37 Sport should be the same "921" size. Just purchase some and try it out. If they don't fit, return it. The ones that I purchased should be short enough to fit your license plate bulb's housing. As for the backup lights, I'm not certain if they will fit as they are a little long. I'm pretty sure that they will fit though. Please let us know what you end up doing, what size fits, etc.