How To Convert Reverse lights to LED

[djerickd]

Wow you tried flipping the polarity on those bulbs?

 

[Meckman]

Wow you tried flipping the polarity on those bulbs?

I did not try flipping them around. Oh well, wasn’t super impressed with the design of the Sylvania since it did not have any LEDs on the top. If these new ones don’t light up, I’ll try flipping them around.

 

[djerickd]

Thanks for the write up I just realized i had a set of canbus 921s in the garage and swapped them in quick. You also don't need to start the car to shift it into reverse to test. Just press the start button 2 times with your foot OFF the BRAKE and shift into reverse.

 

[Meckman]

I got the Luyed bulbs installed and they work like a champ. I’ve gotten rather good at taking that light bar in and out. I timed myself and got the install down to 10 mins (that includes the testing).

 

[Obsidius]

I know standard is t10, but can t15 fit as well? Looking st trying these out

2x W16W T15 LED Bulbs 2835 SMD Canbus OBC Error Free LED Backup Light 921 912 W16W LED Bulbs Car Reverse Lamp Xenon White DC12V AU

Others have used auxito brand with good reviews so thought I would give them a try.

 

[Obsidius]

Auxito brand. Not auditor. Damn auto correct

 

[Trojan Thunder]

Just completed this upgrade and thanks to this how to it was extremely easy, took about 20 mins and I’m very happy with the results, can’t wait til it gets dark as there are no streetlights around my house and the driveway is very dark, so the reversing camera struggles to see the concrete drain at the end, confident the new lights will fix this. I used these LEDs and they fit perfectly and worked first time, they are a little longer so like others I had to slightly cut the foam to get them in.

 

[Trojan Thunder]

I know standard is t10, but can t15 fit as well? Looking st trying these out

2x W16W T15 LED Bulbs 2835 SMD Canbus OBC Error Free LED Backup Light 921 912 W16W LED Bulbs Car Reverse Lamp Xenon White DC12V AU

Others have used auxito brand with good reviews so thought I would give them a try.

Mine were T15 according to the packet and they fit and work like a champ

 

[djerickd]

U can just peel that foam and stick it back down..

 

[Obsidius]

Mine were T15 according to the packet and they fit and work like a champ

Awesome thanks Trojan. Going to order some, along with a couple of other small things online during the week.

Having kia looming at my car paint due to bubbling in the clear coat so have to wait u til that before I do anything.

 

[wtam1100]

Swapped out the reverse bulbs today took about 30 mins or so. Wasn't really rushing very easy to do especially with all the tips in the thread. Thanks to everyone with pointers. I went with the the Sylvania 921 2.5 W ones. They are a little big but they do fit.

 

[Typeface]

I went with these bad boys cause they looked cool as f#$k.. i will never see them, nor will anyone else but in my head i know i have cool looking reverse bulbs that deliver 2400 lumen of eye burning goodness for the anyone behind and that's what counts... oh yes... that's what counts.

 

[Jalum64]

Just installed a set of LEDs in my 2.0 and I must say that this is great upgrade to the lighting system.

 

[Madhermit]

Anyone know if the 2020 model has changed? My Kia dealership are telling me there is a circuit board that is interfering with changing the bulb.

 

[robz32]

2020 has not experience any significant changes to my knowledge.

 

[nhcowboy28]

Anyone know if the 2020 model has changed? My Kia dealership are telling me there is a circuit board that is interfering with changing the bulb.

They sir are trying to gouge you by saying they need to charge for extra labor and parts.

Tell them where they can stick the circuit board.

it’s a flipping bulb.

 

[Madhermit]

They sir are trying to gouge you by saying they need to charge for extra labor and parts.

Tell them where they can stick the circuit board.

it’s a flipping bulb.

That is exactly what I was thinking. I told him I would follow the tutorial online and do it myself. I’ll send him a photo of the bulb socket when I do it.

 

[Madhermit]

Did mine today. Now the trunk won’t close. It would go down, then not latch. So I tried to set the height As per the manual, now it won’t even try to close. It doesn’t even make noise.

Only way to open the trunk is manually from inside. If I hold the trunk release when it is open, it just beeps and nothing happens.

I think this may have been an issue before I did anything as the trunk wouldn’t latch first try.

 

[Madhermit]

On another note. Anyone know the size of the 6 nuts that hold the light assembly on? Black top hat style. 10mm nut. But what is the thread?

 

[SteveCo]

Did mine today. Now the trunk won’t close. It would go down, then not latch. So I tried to set the height As per the manual, now it won’t even try to close. It doesn’t even make noise.

Only way to open the trunk is manually from inside. If I hold the trunk release when it is open, it just beeps and nothing happens.

I think this may have been an issue before I did anything as the trunk wouldn’t latch first try. I noticed a little screw hatch open that the dealer must have left open. Maybe it interferred with the closing.

As its not moving or even making any noise, the first thing I'd check is the fuse for that circuit. If the fuse is intact, then it sounds like a fault that requires a warranty fix.