How To Convert Reverse lights to LED

[Joseph Spiegel]

My mistake. The manual referenced it, maybe for the base? Or I misread it.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

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

I’ve used these, along with a few other members on here without any problems.
AUXITO 2x Error Free X-Bright White 912 921 T15 Backup Reverse LED Lights Bulbs | eBay
There is also a thread in the lighting section on LED reversing lights.

 

[Ucinn]

Thanks for the tutorial, made life a lot easier. The sorento was a lot easier to do..30 seconds tops on it.

 

[robz32]

You're welcome @Ucinn

 

[RockTrooper]

Thanks for the write up. Was planning g on swapping mine out this weekend and do a write up on it, ut looks like you got it down.

 

[Ruturaj]

I’ve used these, along with a few other members on here without any problems.
AUXITO 2x Error Free X-Bright White 912 921 T15 Backup Reverse LED Lights Bulbs | eBay
There is also a thread in the lighting section on LED reversing lights.

LED's were not the issue, I had opened copper bulb housing to much trying to fit the bulb. I had to manually move those back.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

LED's were not the issue, I had opened copper bulb housing to much trying to fit the bulb. I had to manually move those back.

Oh, ok I’m glad that sorted your issue, simple fix.

 

[Ruturaj]

Oh, ok I’m glad that sorted your issue, simple fix.

Yes, me too, I was pretty worried. Need to gather courage to do rear stinger script, take off all other badges and planning to put 2 gt badges on side.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Yes, me too, I was pretty worried. Need to gather courage to do rear stinger script, take off all other badges and planning to put 2 gt badges on side.

Do your research & be prepared with all the stuff you should need, avoid artificial heat & forcing the removal, be methodical & patient.
With the GT badges on the side use a small amount of blutac to sample position them to you liking then us blue painters masking tape to assist with a consistent level & postion in each side, I did that when I put my AU Flag badges on each side.

 

[Ucinn]

It's amazing the difference these LED's made for reversing. Looking at the screen through the camera now at mighttime is almost like daytime. Before it was pretty tough to see. To me, this is a must do upgrade. I bought a 4 pack and did the wifes Sorento also which helped that too.

 

[Ruturaj]

Do your research & be prepared with all the stuff you should need, avoid artificial heat & forcing the removal, be methodical & patient.
With the GT badges on the side use a small amount of blutac to sample position them to you liking then us blue painters masking tape to assist with a consistent level & position in each side, I did that when I put my AU Flag badges on each side.

Thank you. I am planning to use some heat since it it getting pretty cold. Thank you for the tip on GT badges, I will order those soon with masking tape and Blu-Tack. I would be doing stinger script only this weekend.

 

[eflyguy]

Has anyone found even brighter options? I'm about ready to do this myself, but have had success converting all exterior bulbs to LED (and HID) on a few other vehicles in the past using generic/no-name parts from eBay or Amazon - just wondering if anyone has already gone down this path.

For example, these 921 replacements have been great in my Sorento: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012PTE3Z6 - I guess I could always switch them over and see how I like them!

 

[JVsGT]

Alright guys as promised. Here is the how to guide to replace your reverse halogen bulbs with LED's.

Here are the tools you will be using.

2- Plastic panel remover tools (A thin one and a medium one, can use only one, but just in case you need to pry a bit harder)
1- Ratchet
1- 10mm Socket
1- Needle nose plier
1- Ratchet extension
1- Pair of 921 base T10 LEDs (I purchased mine form HERE)

Light Panel Removal
First you need to open the hatch
After the hatch is fully open, you need to identify the two covers that will give you access to the connectors and nuts holding the light panel to the hatch.

They look like this.

After you have identified the two cover (one for each side). You will the take your thin panel remover tool and insert it in the small opening on the cover.

NOTE: It requires some force to pop it out. You can help it with the medium panel remover.

Having taken the cover off. You should now have access to the light harness and the nuts holding the light bar to the Hatch.

Should look like this

Proceed with your ratchet, extension and 10mm Socket, and remove the three (3) nuts that hold the light bar on EACH SIDE. (Circled in RED)

After you have removed the nuts on both sides (Total of six nuts).
You can now proceed to disconnect the two connectors on each side.

Once the connectors have been unplugged, you can now proceed with the removal of the light bar.
To do so you will to get you plastic panel remover too and insert it on to the side of the light bar.

You feel the light bar starts coming out, apply some force to pry it out.
NOTE: DO NOT!!!...I repeat, DO NOT!! pull the light bar completely out as you will break it!!

Now that you have one side out, you can move on to the next side.

You will notice that this side will come out a bit easier. Once the other side is out, you will notice the center pops out with the rest of the light bar.
Do not worry the plastic panel remover tool will not scratch your paint as the tool is plastic and you do not need much force to pry it out.

After making sure the light bar is completely loose, you can now proceed with the removal.

Once the light bar is completely out of the car, you will need to identify the rever light bulb socket.
HINT: the one at the bottom of the photo.

Once the socket has been identified, you will then use you needle nose pliers and turn the socket a quarter of a turn to make it loose.

Then, with the socket loosen, you can pull the socket out.

NOTE: I noticed that if you cut the foam covering the cable, a little, it will make it a lot easier to pull the socket out and it will also make installation of the LED much easier.

Now with the socket out, you can proceed and pull the halogen bulb out and install you LED bulb

Once the LED has been installed you can proceed and out the socket back in place and turn it until its secured.

NOTE: Notice how I cut the foam just a little to expose a bit more wire, so I can handle the socket more comfortable. No the additional exposed wiring will not interfere with the re installation of the light bar.

Once you have done one side you can repeat the same process on the other.

Congratulations you have sucessfully installed the LED's on your reverse lights. Now follow the step of removal backwards in order to re install the light bar.

NOTE: Be very careful when installing the light bar, if you are needing to apply too much force STOP and make sure everything is lining up correctly. The light bar should, literally fall into place when everything is lined up. All you will need to do is push it a bit so that it clips back in to the holes.

Here are some comparison shots

LED Left, Halogen Right

Close up

Both LEDs. Big difference.

That is all for now guys hope you find this guide useful.

P.S Sal I tried posting to the "How To" forum but it wouldn't let me. Feel free to move.

Rob

Thanks for the write-up! Made the installation super easy. Took about 15 minutes but only cause I spent some time fishing the halogen bulb out of the housing when it fell off during removal. Only tested during the day so far but noticeable difference

 

[StingerNick]

It was an easy install with the recommended LEDs from Amazon....(except the two plastic panels were quite a challenge to remove). I bought the 4 pack of LED bulbs from Amazon.

 

[Roy Martinez]

Thanks OP. Great instructions. FYI don't be me - I dropped the nut into the trunk paneling. I cringed as I heard it roll down to around the top light. Long story short, I had to lift and close the gate until it rolled back down and was able to get it through the pull-down handle and blank for the push-button trunk-lid closer (I have a GT1) that I popped off. Hold on to your nuts!

 

[TwinSnails]

Big thanks to @StingerNick for hooking me up on his other two bulbs. Installed and looks great!

Dropped one bulb in the assembly ... a little fingering the hole and got it back out.

 

[StingerNick]

Big thanks to @StingerNick for hooking me up on his other two bulbs. Installed and looks great!

Dropped one bulb in the assembly ... a little fingering the hole and got it back out.

Glad to hear they arrived and are working great! One of my bulbs also fell in the hole. I turned the light assembly upside down and shook it up til the bulb fell out. I felt like I was playing a carnival game

 

[BlueBrick]

Thanks for the guide Robz, I got mine swapped out last night.

It went pretty well other than breaking one clip on the second panel cover as is tradition when removing it and I struggled a little putting the light bar back in, only one side would pop in nicely and the other would always rock out of place. Finally a little gentle thumping with my palm got it seated.

I used the Sylvania Zevos, they are an improvement, but kind of wishing I went with something even brighter. Either way I can actually see the driveway in the dark now which is nice, the sprinkler system will be happier.

 

[StingerNick]

Thanks for the guide Robz, I got mine swapped out last night.

It went pretty well other than breaking one clip on the second panel cover as is tradition when removing it and I struggled a little putting the light bar back in, only one side would pop in nicely and the other would always rock out of place. Finally a little gentle thumping with my palm got it seated.

I used the Sylvania Zevos, they are an improvement, but kind of wishing I went with something even brighter. Either way I can actually see the driveway in the dark now which is nice, the sprinkler system will be happier.

I had the same issues with removing those little panel covers. One of the clips broke off as well. It’s been 2-3 weeks and I still haven’t put them back on

Someone should get an award if they If can remove them without any little scratch/divot or clip breaking!

 

[ShannonC]

I had the same issues with removing those little panel covers. One of the clips broke off as well. It’s been 2-3 weeks and I still haven’t put them back on

Someone should get an award if they If can remove them without any little scratch/divot or clip breaking!

I had no issues!