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Tiger Smoke.
I don’t want the new lights with the button but want to install led lights to the existing flip up courtousy lights. I am aware I can spend 150.00 with shipping for the new lights with the button. Looking for detailed instructions with pics if possible on removing and replacing the existing flip up light bulb with an led. I seen a post on how to remove the flip up light but not the bulb. Also what size I seen on one post they are 36mm. Thanks to all
They still have those lights available.
basscatfisher wrote: I don’t want the new lights with the button but want to install led lights to the existing flip up courtousy lights. I am aware I can spend 150.00 with shipping for the new lights with the button. Looking for detailed instructions with pics if possible on removing and replacing the existing flip up light bulb with an led. I seen a post on how to remove the flip up light but not the bulb. Also what size I seen on one post they are 36mm. Thanks to all
Basscatfisher, the flip lights are not that much of a challenge to get working if you have some mechanical ability and a few tools. I can almost assure you that all they need is a good cleaning and lubrication. I kept a Classic for 10 years and the flip lights would occasionally need this cleaning and lube. They still worked every time they were flipped after 10 years of operation. In my case, the light was removed by either pushing it out from the back or prying it out from the front (carefully). Then remove the wires by pulling on the lugs. Now you have the light out and it can be cleaned and lubed on your work bench. If you have an air compressor it helps to blow out dirt etc. The bulbs themselves can be replaced with LED bulbs after cleaning and you should be good to go for years before they need cleaning again.
I have a flip-up light on my classic. Here’s what I did:
lay down under the dash and remove the wires that use spade connectors. Make sure they don’t contact anything while disconnected to avoid a short.
Now the light will push out from the rear (it snaps in). There is a mounting bezel and the light fixture itself. Both may come out or just the light may come out.
Remove the bulb. Look at the end with the very small brass roller. Clean that roller, the place where it contacts the bulb retainer on that end. I used a small steel brush in my dremel, but careful use of very fine sandpaper would work just as well. Then the trick: Once clean, use a little dab of dielectric grease to prevent any oxidation / corrosion which keeps the contact surfaces clean.
For the LED part, you can find an exact replacement for that bulb at O’reilly auto parts. The only issue is the LED bulbs are polarity sensitive so you have a 50-50 chance of getting it in correctly. If, once you connect the wires back, the light does not work, then remove the bulb, flip it end for end, and re-install. I replaced my nav lights, courtesy light, and all of the trailer lights with LEDs. Trailer was easy since polarity is obvious (white is ground). For the rest, I think I got every one of them backward the first time. Flip / rotate and bingo.
Note that the replacement for the courtesy light has a distinct front and back. Just point the clear part (where you can see the LEDs behind the clear plastic) toward the lens and you are good to go. Not very expensive.
At some point, I want to upgrade to the push button lights. In the mean time, I changed all my bulbs to LED. I ordered red 39mm festoon bulbs and white 39mm festoon bulbs. I went with the longer bulbs as they fit snugly. They have work well over the last 10 month. I don’t have any pictures handy, but you can pop the lens out using a small flat head screwdriver. The bulb (festoon bulb) is simply held in by to prongs with a small hole to center the bulb. Take the time to clean the contacts while you are in there. If you can’t pop the lens out, and the entire housing comes out, be sure and use some silicone sealant on the back side or water will leak into your rod boxes.
The bulb ends are held in via compression of the contacts on each end of the receptacle. Push the old bulb slightly towards one end and it should come right out. Replace new bulb and if needed bend the contacts as needed to ensure adequate pressure to hold the bulb.
I changed the deck bulbs on my 11 Puma FTD three years ago. I bought mine from Walmart. I cleaned the contacts and put a little silicone to seal the units back in. They work perfectly.
I also put a small led puck light in my glove box. I mounted it above the door with silicone. Battery powered and works great. You have to turn it on and off by hand, but no holes or wiring needed.
The back plate is mounted and the unit with the three lights twists off to change batteries when needed.
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