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      09-08-2011, 04:27 PM   #1
audi4t
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"How To" Visor Light Replacements with LED's

I couldn't find LED versions of the light that illuminates the mirror behind the sunshade so I installed

a 9 LED SMD in / behind the original housing.

Here is the SMD I used. Cost a $1.90 on eBay including shipping.



Pry out the original housing using a credit card and disconnect the mini connector.

This is what you get.



Unclip the metal reflective plate from the housing to allow more light through the lens.



Pull off the plastic end cap from the SMD and you get two pins that plug into the original socket, make sure the polarity is correct.



I wrapped the connection with insulating tape to prevent the two ends coming apart.

The SMD came with double sided adhesive tape so I centered the SMD and stuck it to the metal behind the original light housing.



Here is the SMD illuminated without the lens cover.



Then replace the lens cover - no need to remove the bulb but leave off the metal reflective cover.



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      09-08-2011, 05:45 PM   #2
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Hmm, my car doesn't have lights above the sun visors, which I think is so strange!
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      09-09-2011, 07:28 AM   #3
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Nice, but I see problems down the road with the double-sided adhesive. I'm guessing a $1.90 (incl. shipping) SMD doesn't use the highest quality adhesive. And that stuff comes undone over time, no matter how good it is.

So, do you get even flood lighting from that, or is it directional?
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      09-09-2011, 08:10 AM   #4
audi4t
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pinmagic View Post
Nice, but I see problems down the road with the double-sided adhesive. I'm guessing a $1.90 (incl. shipping) SMD doesn't use the highest quality adhesive. And that stuff comes undone over time, no matter how good it is.

So, do you get even flood lighting from that, or is it directional?
The double sided tape is 3M and the SMD's are very light. Also when the lens housing is replaced it will stop the SMD from dropping.

The illumination is more flood than directional. Intensity is significantly increased over the stock filament bulbs. You can easily read a book or newspaper with the improved lighting.
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      09-09-2011, 09:19 AM   #5
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What version or option pkg has those lights above the visors?
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      09-09-2011, 09:23 AM   #6
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Pretty cool man, I'll have to look into this. How much pressure was required to pry things open with the credit card?
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      09-09-2011, 10:34 AM   #7
audi4t
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I have a 2008 135i convertible with Premium package.

Not too much force is required I actually used a small plastic "spackle" spatula.
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      09-09-2011, 04:53 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by audi4t View Post
The double sided tape is 3M and the SMD's are very light. Also when the lens housing is replaced it will stop the SMD from dropping.

The illumination is more flood than directional. Intensity is significantly increased over the stock filament bulbs. You can easily read a book or newspaper with the improved lighting.
Nice - thanks. And no error warnings on the dash from using these bulbs?

Got a link to the ebay seller you used? This would be a fun little project - and one of the cheapest mods ever.
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      09-09-2011, 05:03 PM   #9
audi4t
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pinmagic View Post
Nice - thanks. And no error warnings on the dash from using these bulbs?

Got a link to the ebay seller you used? This would be a fun little project - and one of the cheapest mods ever.
No error lights.

Here's an eBay link for 12 LED SMD's they will work just as well as the 9 LED and give more light:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-LED-SMD-I...84112296730136
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      09-09-2011, 08:07 PM   #10
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Just ordered a set of these off ebay, cant wait to get cranking on this DIY.

Thanks for sharing audi4t!!
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