Puddle Lamp LED Replacement Walkthrough

76731 Views 54 Replies 29 Participants Last post by dudewuzu, 10 d ago

DreadX

Discussion Starter · Mar 28, 2011

7

Once again, please forgive the messy car. Pics were taken on a really slushy day.

This replacement can be done without removing the mirror.

First, tilt the mirrors all the way up and toward the vehicle.

Access will be through the bottom outside corner of the mirror.

Using a flashlight you can see the bulb housing and the clip you need to push to release this housing. Using a screwdriver, gently push the center of this clip while nudging downward.

The housing will fall out the bottom of the mirror.

There is a little slack in the wiring so pull the bulb housing out a little.

Rotate the white plug and remove from housing. This will expose the bulb.

Pull the bulb and replace it with the LED (194 bulb).

Replace the bulb in the housing, make sure the wiring tucks back into the mirror and push the housing back into the mirror. Make sure to put the side of the housing closest to the car in first ... the clip should go in last. The push until it clicks back in place.

Congrats on your Puddle Lamp LED Replacement

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Reactions: 1

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DreadX

Discussion Starter · #21 · Apr 5, 2011

[quote author=frogger390 link=topic=188485.msg3984803#msg3984803 date=1302029302]
Just replaced my puddle light with a 9 led bulb and wow its much brighter :break: :break: :break:
[/quote]

9?!?!? pics?

frogger390

· #22 · Apr 7, 2011

2

[quote author=DreadX link=topic=188485.msg3985156#msg3985156 date=1302041350]
[quote author=frogger390 link=topic=188485.msg3984803#msg3984803 date=1302029302]
Just replaced my puddle light with a 9 led bulb and wow its much brighter :break: :break: :break:
[/quote]

9?!?!? pics?
[/quote]

heres some pics and yes the car is dirty LOL.. but they are BRIGHT

compared to regular bulbs...

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DreadX

Discussion Starter · #23 · Apr 7, 2011

Oh damn !!!! the 9 SMD's look way brighter than 5!!!! I have to look around for the 9's.

thanks for the pics.

PS ... get a new camera

frogger390

· #24 · Apr 8, 2011

lol ya this camera sucks with a flash it dont take right away and by the time it flashes ive shaken or moved the camera LOL... i do need a new camera though...

010califusion

· #25 · Apr 15, 2011

Thank you for this sir, I always wondered what bulb was in there...

BlownGTP

· #26 · Jun 25, 2011

Thanks, this is awesome

Was just wondering how to change these.

wopalopagus

· #27 · Nov 5, 2011

Do the LED dim as the puddle light start to turn off? I know that with the sock bulbs they will slowly dim prior to shutting off. I thought that a LED needs a constant voltage...??? It would be nice to match my licence plate LED and my HID headlights. The amber puddle lights look bad.

BlownGTP

· #28 · Nov 5, 2011

yup, they dim just like the stock bulbs..

wopalopagus

· #29 · Nov 6, 2011

Sweet!!!

DreadX

Discussion Starter · #30 · Nov 7, 2011

[quote author=wopalopagus link=topic=188485.msg4142796#msg4142796 date=1320534369]
Do the LED dim as the puddle light start to turn off? I know that with the sock bulbs they will slowly dim prior to shutting off. I thought that a LED needs a constant voltage...??? It would be nice to match my licence plate LED and my HID headlights. The amber puddle lights look bad.

[/quote]

Yeah ... Yellow light sucks!!!!

Decivox

· #31 · Mar 6, 2012

Thanks for the write up, did this last week on my fusion. The white light of the LED looks much better than the yellow from the factory bulbs

DreadX

Discussion Starter · #32 · Mar 6, 2012

[quote author=decivox link=topic=188485.msg4196084#msg4196084 date=1331063884]
Thanks for the write up, did this last week on my fusion. The white light of the LED looks much better than the yellow from the factory bulbs
[/quote]

Yup .. and white light will never become tacky.

pyzik

· #33 · Aug 6, 2012

[quote author=BlownGTP link=topic=188485.msg4142797#msg4142797 date=1320534762]
yup, they dim just like the stock bulbs..
[/quote]
Hellz yeah, glad to hear. I like that it dims out.
Just ordered 3 tower bulbs and some license plate LED bulbs. Gonna look sweet.
Side markers are next.

Morgannec

· #34 · Feb 11, 2014

i have a 12 fusion se, i dont have puddle lights but i think i have the spot to add them in still, say i go and buy the housing for the puddle lights, is there wiring to buy or would there be wiring waiting for me. probably not right? have to buy everything to get it?

Botts

· #35 · May 20, 2014

Would a right angle bulb, or a standard "360" LED bulb be better for this use? Is the area above the bulb chromed to act as a reflector?

seawolf

· #36 · May 20, 2014

Standard "360" bulbs work fine and are plenty bright (as you can see in the pics)...the housing was designed for an incandescent bulb so it shines bright.

Y2KFirehawk

· #37 · Jul 2, 2014

Great info; will be ordering some for the Lincoln to compliment the rest of the LEDs. Thanks.

Applefish

· #38 · Jul 16, 2014

I just finished the puddle lamp upgrade for my 2014 Fusion Titanium. Weird, but I didn't need the 150ohm 3w resistor (I bought 5 for $3.65)... I was kinda scared to use my Dremmel tool to cut off the lens, but I think it turned ok.

Pictures to follow...

fusionpursuit

· #39 · Jul 16, 2014

I replaced all my interior/puddle/trunk/license plate lights with diode dynamics LED kit. all stage 2/3 bright white, none has burned out yet for over 2 years

Applefish

· #40 · Jul 17, 2014 (Edited)

14

Here's the pic of my puddle light upgrade. Sorry for the many pictures.

Here's the "before" pictures.

I used a Dremmel tool to carefully cut away along the edges, carefully trying not to damage the lens.

I ordered LEDs from SuperBrightLeds. They have the highest Relative Intensity rating (5/5 bulbs)

It's slightly longer (a smidge) and the capacitors are a slightly tight fit, but it works.

The bulb in the housing.

I might regret it someday, but I was in a rush, and I used Super Glue to re-attach the lens on the housing.

I applied pressure for about 20 minutes to let the glue set. Thank you patio chair leg!

The housing re-attached, to test it.

To my surprise, it turns on perfectly, without any flickering at all!

The lens re-attached, and the puddle light re-installed. Looking good. Now, gotta await for night time for full effect.

Ahhhh, that's what I was going for. Now, I have LEDs all around (well, besides the weird bulbs in the front signal turn)

The other side.

And with the door open.

You're still here?!? C'mon, go buy LEDs and get upgradin'! :winker:

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