Can't get LED bulb to work in front dome light

snaimpally · 05-04-2014, 02:12 PM

I bought an LED bulb replacement kit. I replaced most of the interior bulbs with the replacement bulbs (couldn't get the map lights out so I didn't bother with those). However, I can't seem to get the LED bulb to work in the front dome light (above the shifter). The OEM bulb works fine. The rear dome light, which uses the same type of bulb, also works fine with the LED bulb works fine. I tried swapping the LED bulb from the rear dome light (where it works) to the front dome light but it doesn't work in the front - but does work in the rear. I ordered a different style of LED bulb but it still won't work in the front dome. Anyone else have this issue? Suggestions?

Dark_Knight_335 · 05-04-2014, 02:19 PM

Have you tried flipping the bulb around? Is it a T10 bulb? Is it a dome panel bulb, or a peanut bulb?

Does it go on for short time, then go out, or never turn on to begin with?

If you're interested, I have several dome bulbs for sale that work perfectly and their CANBUS (error free), which is quite important for them to work properly.

Some coupes and sedans are just finicky when it comes to LEDs, but a CANBUS bulb will maximize- if not guarantee- your chance of success.

Where did you get your LED set from?

snaimpally · 05-04-2014, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

Have you tried flipping the bulb around? Is it a T10 bulb? Is it a dome panel bulb, or a peanut bulb?

Does it go on for short time, then go out, or never turn on to begin with?

If you're interested, I have several dome bulbs for sale that work perfectly and their CANBUS (error free), which is quite important for them to work properly.

Some coupes and sedans are just finicky when it comes to LEDs, but a CANBUS bulb will maximize- if not guarantee- your chance of success.

Where did you get your LED set from?

The set I bought was:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6Pcs-Error-F...8d0988&vxp=mtr

I did try flipping it (many times). Doesn't go on at all. All the other lights work fine which of course increases my frustration since the lights look nice and then I have this one yellow light. The OEM light is fairly small.

Send a PM with info please on purchasing.

Dark_Knight_335 · 05-04-2014, 08:37 PM

Hmmm- CANBUS should've definitely worked for you.

I'll tell you what- I'll mail you a peanut bulb that has worked for me, and I have a finicky convertible.

It would be free of charge, just PM me your mailing address and let me know how it works out brother.

I know the pain of having a dome light that just don't seem to work, even after trying four different LED bulbs.

I finally got one that worked perfectly for me, then ultimately got a peanut bulb in 6000k that works flawlessly for me, which I'm currently using now.

This one I want to send you is a 5000k bright white, and I hope it works as well for you.

Do you know if the seller gave you 5000K or 6000K LEDs?
Only because it makes a slight difference- this one I'm going to give you is a little bit more white then cool blue white.

Please let me know.

RoamPT · 05-04-2014, 09:18 PM

Lock the car while you're inside, and replace the lights. If that doesn't work, lock the car and unlock, don't put the key in the ignition. That worked for me, weird right lol just try it out!

Dark_Knight_335 · 05-04-2014, 09:34 PM

I can attest to the fact this has worked for me in the past. ^

snaimpally · 05-09-2014, 10:44 PM

I took a flashlight and looked at the socket itself. One of the prongs had, over time, been pushed back, so when I put a new bulb in, it wasn't making contact on one side. I don't know why the stock bulb was working but somehow, it worked. I must have taken it out a dozen times and when I put it back it still worked.

I took a small screwdriver and bent the prong so that it would make contact. I plugged in the LED dome light and it works fine now. I think the LED base was just slightly narrower than stock and so that one prong wasn't making an electrical connection with the LED base initially, but once I bent the prong it worked. Anyway, problem solved! Posting in case this helps anyone else.

mweisdorfer · 05-10-2014, 10:38 AM

The dome light is tricky. You have to flip the bulb around. That was one thing I found to be true. Also, the connection is a twist. So, you have to twist it the right way too.

Dark_Knight_335 · 05-10-2014, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaimpally

I took a flashlight and looked at the socket itself. One of the prongs had, over time, been pushed back, so when I put a new bulb in, it wasn't making contact on one side. I don't know why the stock bulb was working but somehow, it worked. I must have taken it out a dozen times and when I put it back it still worked.

I took a small screwdriver and bent the prong so that it would make contact. I plugged in the LED dome light and it works fine now. I think the LED base was just slightly narrower than stock and so that one prong wasn't making an electrical connection with the LED base initially, but once I bent the prong it worked. Anyway, problem solved! Posting in case this helps anyone else.

Very cool man!

Yeah you can get replacement ones for a few bucks from HighPerformanceBulbs by the way- never hurts to have a few extras of those turn screw sockets around!

snaimpally · 05-10-2014, 02:06 PM

Now if I can find a way to get those pesky map lights out! I think the only way to do it is to pull the whole dome light assembly out. That is a project for another weekend.

Dark_Knight_335 · 05-10-2014, 02:14 PM

Yep! Are you E90 or E92 again?

If E92, GENTLY pry the plastic cover off, and the black plastic rings come off too (firmly and gently.)

TIP- Use latex gloves- they will provide the additional grip you need to pluck em out. Pics of your dome? Not sure if they're different from 2009.

Some folks mention something about prying off the headliner (if you have a sun/moonroof), but I wouldn't do it.

snaimpally · 05-10-2014, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

Yep! Are you E90 or E92 again?

If E92, GENTLY pry the plastic cover off, and the black plastic rings come off too (firmly and gently.)

TIP- Use latex gloves- they will provide the additional grip you need to pluck em out. Pics of your dome? Not sure if they're different from 2009.

Some folks mention something about prying off the headliner (if you have a sun/moonroof), but I wouldn't do it.

Looks like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E90-E92-...c1f214&vxp=mtr

The dome light is held in place by two clips that are accessed at the front of the headliner. Removing 2 screws from the visors enables the headliner to be opened up sufficiently to release the clips. From all accounts, it should be fairly straightforward. In any case, the map lights are not a big priority at this point. Getting ready to do some audio upgrades.

I got a super sticky pad to hold an ipad on a dashboard and tried to use that but it wouldn't work.

05-04-2014, 02:12 PM	#1
snaimpally Major 170 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: 2022 F44 M235i GC Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (9) Garage List 2022 M235i [0.00]	Can't get LED bulb to work in front dome light I bought an LED bulb replacement kit. I replaced most of the interior bulbs with the replacement bulbs (couldn't get the map lights out so I didn't bother with those). However, I can't seem to get the LED bulb to work in the front dome light (above the shifter). The OEM bulb works fine. The rear dome light, which uses the same type of bulb, also works fine with the LED bulb works fine. I tried swapping the LED bulb from the rear dome light (where it works) to the front dome light but it doesn't work in the front - but does work in the rear. I ordered a different style of LED bulb but it still won't work in the front dome. Anyone else have this issue? Suggestions?
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05-04-2014, 02:19 PM	#2
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside 1131 Rep 12,740 Posts Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ iTrader: (28)	Have you tried flipping the bulb around? Is it a T10 bulb? Is it a dome panel bulb, or a peanut bulb? Does it go on for short time, then go out, or never turn on to begin with? If you're interested, I have several dome bulbs for sale that work perfectly and their CANBUS (error free), which is quite important for them to work properly. Some coupes and sedans are just finicky when it comes to LEDs, but a CANBUS bulb will maximize- if not guarantee- your chance of success. Where did you get your LED set from?
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05-04-2014, 08:37 PM	#4
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside 1131 Rep 12,740 Posts Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ iTrader: (28)	Hmmm- CANBUS should've definitely worked for you. I'll tell you what- I'll mail you a peanut bulb that has worked for me, and I have a finicky convertible. It would be free of charge, just PM me your mailing address and let me know how it works out brother. I know the pain of having a dome light that just don't seem to work, even after trying four different LED bulbs. I finally got one that worked perfectly for me, then ultimately got a peanut bulb in 6000k that works flawlessly for me, which I'm currently using now. This one I want to send you is a 5000k bright white, and I hope it works as well for you. Do you know if the seller gave you 5000K or 6000K LEDs? Only because it makes a slight difference- this one I'm going to give you is a little bit more white then cool blue white. Please let me know.
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05-04-2014, 09:18 PM	#5
RoamPT First Lieutenant 27 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 2016 Dodge Charger SRT 392 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Dodge Charger ... [9.00]	Lock the car while you're inside, and replace the lights. If that doesn't work, lock the car and unlock, don't put the key in the ignition. That worked for me, weird right lol just try it out!
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05-04-2014, 09:34 PM	#6
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside 1131 Rep 12,740 Posts Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ iTrader: (28)	I can attest to the fact this has worked for me in the past. ^
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05-09-2014, 10:44 PM	#7
snaimpally Major 170 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: 2022 F44 M235i GC Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (9) Garage List 2022 M235i [0.00]	I took a flashlight and looked at the socket itself. One of the prongs had, over time, been pushed back, so when I put a new bulb in, it wasn't making contact on one side. I don't know why the stock bulb was working but somehow, it worked. I must have taken it out a dozen times and when I put it back it still worked. I took a small screwdriver and bent the prong so that it would make contact. I plugged in the LED dome light and it works fine now. I think the LED base was just slightly narrower than stock and so that one prong wasn't making an electrical connection with the LED base initially, but once I bent the prong it worked. Anyway, problem solved! Posting in case this helps anyone else. Last edited by snaimpally; 05-10-2014 at 11:30 AM..
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05-10-2014, 10:38 AM	#8
mweisdorfer Major General 1937 Rep 6,965 Posts Drives: 2007 Black/Black 335i e90 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Holly, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E90 335i [0.00] 2008 bmw x5 [0.00]	The dome light is tricky. You have to flip the bulb around. That was one thing I found to be true. Also, the connection is a twist. So, you have to twist it the right way too.
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05-10-2014, 02:06 PM	#10
snaimpally Major 170 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: 2022 F44 M235i GC Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (9) Garage List 2022 M235i [0.00]	Now if I can find a way to get those pesky map lights out! I think the only way to do it is to pull the whole dome light assembly out. That is a project for another weekend.
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05-10-2014, 02:14 PM	#11
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside 1131 Rep 12,740 Posts Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ iTrader: (28)	Yep! Are you E90 or E92 again? If E92, GENTLY pry the plastic cover off, and the black plastic rings come off too (firmly and gently.) TIP- Use latex gloves- they will provide the additional grip you need to pluck em out. Pics of your dome? Not sure if they're different from 2009. Some folks mention something about prying off the headliner (if you have a sun/moonroof), but I wouldn't do it.
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