Replacing rear interior lights with LED

[ccsdigital]

Has anyone succesfully replaced the rear interior lights (the ones in the air vent outlets) with LED's? I understood they are W5W bulbs, and although I have (eventually) removed the lens cover I cannot get the bulbs out. They are surrounded by a metal shield which makes it impossible to grip the bulb, and only one side of the shield seems to detach - again not providing sufficient space to pull the bulb. I dont want to apply too much force for fear of breaking something. What am I doing wrong? 😬

[dezufo]

I replaced mine, I levered out the side with the R on it then bent the whole reflector up and pulled the other hand side straight out, I then filed down the serrated bits on one side of that tab, then bent it back in to shape, then pushed the whole thing back into the slots

[DaiWil]

I have the same problem. Just couldn't remove the bulb although it was easy to remove the inner reflector. Does the bulb just pull out with force or do you test and pull? Alphards are a nightmare when it comes to removing any interior panels. Some members have changed to LED's with no issues, but they don'y say exactly how they did it. Can anybody help please?

[ccsdigital]

  On 4/9/2025 at 11:48 PM, DaiWil said:

I have the same problem. Just couldn't remove the bulb although it was easy to remove the inner reflector. Does the bulb just pull out with force or do you test and pull? Alphards are a nightmare when it comes to removing any interior panels. Some members have changed to LED's with no issues, but they don'y say exactly how they did it. Can anybody help please?

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If it *is* a W5W type bulb then they should pull out relatively easily (like a sidelight bulb). There looks to be a blue 'collar' at the base of the bulb which makes me think it could be a different type of socket. I've not had chance to retry removing the reflector yet. 

[ccsdigital]

  On 4/9/2025 at 1:36 PM, dezufo said:

I replaced mine, I levered out the side with the R on it then bent the whole reflector up and pulled the other hand side straight out, I then filed down the serrated bits on one side of that tab, then bent it back in to shape, then pushed the whole thing back into the slots

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When you replaced the bulb, did it just pull out? And is it a W5W fitting? 

[dezufo]

  On 4/10/2025 at 7:48 PM, ccsdigital said:

When you replaced the bulb, did it just pull out? And is it a W5W fitting? 

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Yes just pulls out, do not twist as the holder will fall out behind, 5W capless or led equivalent

[ccsdigital]

Thanks @daiwil @dezufo for your help - I just wasn't pulling hard enough! 🙄

 

All interior bulbs changed to LED now, looks so much better.

 

Edited April 14 by ccsdigital

[ccsdigital]

  On 4/9/2025 at 11:48 PM, DaiWil said:

I have the same problem. Just couldn't remove the bulb although it was easy to remove the inner reflector. Does the bulb just pull out with force or do you test and pull? Alphards are a nightmare when it comes to removing any interior panels. Some members have changed to LED's with no issues, but they don'y say exactly how they did it. Can anybody help please?

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Once you have removed the reflector they do just pull out - but requires rather more force than you expect and it is quite difficult to get a good grip on the bulb.

[Gamith]

I have tried this and came a cropper - I now have a missing bulb and holder inside the side panel somewhere.

I was able to get the cover off but I was trying to release the bulb and managed to unclip it - when it then disappeared into the depths.

I then undid the mounting to understand how it goes together - which is what I should have done first. 

 

So now I need to find a twist mount for the bulb I was going to put in. 

 

It seems the best / only approach is to unhook the surround from the interior panel by levering at the end that doesn't have the hook (which can be seen at the top in 'Extracted-Bulb-holder.jpg') and then removing the twist holder and replacing the bulb that way.

 

I hope the pictures help someone.  

Edited Friday at 04:19 PM by Gamith
Adding a few more pictures.