Dome Lights - Question on LED's..

ksagis · 02-18-2014, 02:50 PM

I had same problem of a very slight glow from the map light LEDs - the fix being to add a bleed resistor to the circuit.

I have a Roadster: my fix was to pull the light behind the seats (I think the Couple has a light in the cargo area, right?), and solder a 1k ohm, 1/2 watt resistor across the terminals.

Coupe owners can test the theory if they have a third light by plugging in a standard bulb in the third light. If that kills the glow, the resistor fix will work for Coupes too.

One can probably add the bleed resistor to the map light area, I just found it easier to remove the third light and solder with it removed from the car.

And before anybody asks, no, this will not draw current and kill the battery. The resistor is a lot more resistance than the incandescent bulb. Think of it as just pulling down the residual voltage that was exciting the LED. The incandescent bulb that was there just wasn't getting hot enough to produce light.

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02-18-2014, 02:50 PM	#23 (permalink)
ksagis Base Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: LA Posts: 88 Drives: 370Z Roadster Rep Power: 13	I had same problem of a very slight glow from the map light LEDs - the fix being to add a bleed resistor to the circuit. I have a Roadster: my fix was to pull the light behind the seats (I think the Couple has a light in the cargo area, right?), and solder a 1k ohm, 1/2 watt resistor across the terminals. Coupe owners can test the theory if they have a third light by plugging in a standard bulb in the third light. If that kills the glow, the resistor fix will work for Coupes too. One can probably add the bleed resistor to the map light area, I just found it easier to remove the third light and solder with it removed from the car. And before anybody asks, no, this will not draw current and kill the battery. The resistor is a lot more resistance than the incandescent bulb. Think of it as just pulling down the residual voltage that was exciting the LED. The incandescent bulb that was there just wasn't getting hot enough to produce light.