How To Convert Reverse lights to LED

[Berzerker]

I'm familiar with polarity and I have modded the lighting in all 5 of my cars in the last 7 years. It happens when both are LED. No issues when one is halogen. Similar to my 2017 Sportage except that wouldn't even let me shift out of park. The Stinger will let me shift out of park but again the bulbs are on 100% of the time. Oh well, appreciate your walk through though.

Honestly that sounds like a voltage regulation issue with the wiring. Could be faulty on the LED side or the wiring side, but mine are completely fine with the same bulbs. Also, make sure you're pushing them in all the way (I guess?)

Also, these are not poled LEDs, they work in both orientations. They have internal rectifiers to work with current in both directions. Flipping them shouldn't make a difference.

 

[Origins]

Great guide, thank you!

 

[Guardstang]

How does the wiring harness disconnect from the bulb holder?

 

[TwinSnails]

T10’s just pull straight out... the base of the bulb actually plugs into the socket. No unclipping necessary, unlike traditional headlamps/tail lamps.

 

[Guardstang]

T10’s just pull straight out... the base of the bulb actually plugs into the socket. No unclipping necessary, unlike traditional headlamps/tail lamps.

I understand that what I can't do is release the wiring harness from the bulb holder.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

I understand that what I can't do is release the wiring harness from the bulb holder.

That procedure should be detailed in your owners manual.

 

[westcoastGT]

there really isnt a reason that the wiring harness has to be released , you may need to loosen some of the foam insulation though

 

[ZaphodBx]

Thanks for the great write-up! I am quite the newbie at this, and I managed to get through it.

The one thing that took me a little bit to figure out, and I’m not sure if this is what Guardstang was asking about, is how to get the connectors off before taking off the light bar. I finally figured out that there were little pads you had to squeeze on to release the connector. They were right at the end of the connector, facing towards the center of the trunk on my car, so I assume they’re probably oriented that way for everyone.

I’ve attached a pic of the connector where you can see what you have to squeeze on, in case it helps any other inexperienced folks like myself. It was super easy one I figured that out. It’s sort of funny that even the Kia manual figures you’ll just know to do that.

 

[Ruturaj]

Okay, I finally got around to replacing my reverse lights. Followed @robz32's outstanding DIY directions and photos. The process was a breeze, and the results are a definite improvement.

I installed the same bulbs that @derek0609 did: Sylvania Zevo 921's. The package indicates that each LED "bulb" is 2.5 watts. The stock incandescents are 16 watts each. That implies the LEDs produce about 15% more lumens, but to me the difference seems more than that.

@robz32, thanks again for your excellent installation guide!

Seems like you too used different bulbs. @derek0609 used the 1.8W SYLVANIA 921 SYL LED Mini Bulb and you used 2.5W SYLVANIA 921 ZEVO LED Mini Bulb. I was on sylvania website and it showed me both as options.

 

[SEA Stinger]

Seems like you too used different bulbs. @derek0609 used the 1.8W SYLVANIA 921 SYL LED Mini Bulb and you used 2.5W SYLVANIA 921 ZEVO LED Mini Bulb. I was on sylvania website and it showed me both as options.

Yes, I went with the brighter ones.

 

[Ruturaj]

Yes, I went with the brighter ones.

I ordered the same as yours.

 

[eflyguy]

Huge issue with my install. ... LED Reverse Lights won’t shut off. In Neutral, Drive, and Park, the bulb constantly stays on. ... It won’t let you shift out of park when the reverse bulb is replaced with LED.

Wondering if anyone else ever had this issue, or if you figured out what caused it?

 

[Ruturaj]

My replacement LED wouldn't fit tightly. Its a exact fit and OEM won't fit as well. Any idea/tip?

 

[Ruturaj]

One more pic

 

[nhcowboy28]

One more pic

I had similar issues with my exploder and LED BULBS.

I found using a screwdriver to pull out/extend the tabs in the bulb housing helped create a tighter fit.

 

[Ruturaj]

I had similar issues with my exploder and LED BULBS.

I found using a screwdriver to pull out/extend the tabs in the bulb housing helped create a tighter fit.

Thank you. I figured it out later. Bent the LED before that. But it finally worked.

 

[Angelo In Seattle]

I haven't done this yet but will soon. What is preventing you from removing the interior access panel for the 3 bolts and just swapping the light right at that point? Can you not handle everything right there, given the bulb twists and comes out backwards. Why go through the whole process unless their is a roadblock I am not seeing.

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

I ordered my set from the OP’s first post. Looks like these and the turn signal bulbs are the only halogen bulbs? Am I correct and have we done the turn signal bulbs yet?

 

[ShannonC]

I haven't done this yet but will soon. What is preventing you from removing the interior access panel for the 3 bolts and just swapping the light right at that point? Can you not handle everything right there, given the bulb twists and comes out backwards. Why go through the whole process unless their is a roadblock I am not seeing.

The entire light bar has to be removed to gain access. The process is detailed in the Maintenance section of your OM.

 

[Ruturaj]

I ordered my set from the OP’s first post. Looks like these and the turn signal bulbs are the only halogen bulbs? Am I correct and have we done the turn signal bulbs yet?

Turn signals are LED.