C3 1981 LED Bulbs
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 307
Likes: 4
From: Thousand Oaks Calif.
C3 1981 LED Bulbs
Getting ready to replace the board on my tach and figured I would replace the bulbs. Do you know the part number and where I can get a set of dimmable led bulbs?
Thanks
Thanks
Pro
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 500
Likes: 27
I ordered some individual 12v LEDs off amazon for a steering wheel lightning fix on an Envoy. They operate over a range of voltage so some dimming available. Lots of different colors available.
Like a 100 for $15
Like a 100 for $15
Last edited by Theman5; Apr 1, 2020 at 10:48 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Here's one. While it is dimmable note that the operating range is 10V-30V so you can't expect much dimming range. Also I don't believe that the simple rheostats in our headlamp switches are well suited to dimming any LED. Also know that when LEDs dim the color of their light stays the same while when incandescents dim it becomes more yellow/orange. This means you'll never get that nice soft green glow that the cluster and gauges are supposed to produce.
In my opinion LEDs aren't suited to older cars as they aren't designed to work with their fixtures or their electrical systems. Exceptions are indicator/warning lights--be certain to use an LED the same color as the lens--dome lights, courtesy lights, glove box lights, underhood lights, etc.
Also be aware that LEDs are incompatible with the front turn/park/marker lamp circuit unless you do extensive rewiring. Why? In some situations some of the lamps get their ground via the filaments of the non-illuminated lamps in the circuit. Such a pathway does not exist with LEDs.
In my opinion LEDs aren't suited to older cars as they aren't designed to work with their fixtures or their electrical systems. Exceptions are indicator/warning lights--be certain to use an LED the same color as the lens--dome lights, courtesy lights, glove box lights, underhood lights, etc.
Also be aware that LEDs are incompatible with the front turn/park/marker lamp circuit unless you do extensive rewiring. Why? In some situations some of the lamps get their ground via the filaments of the non-illuminated lamps in the circuit. Such a pathway does not exist with LEDs.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Proper dimming is only achieved by two methods:
1. a pulse-width modulating (PWM) device that is used to adjust for all LED bulbs in a 'string';
2. bulbs that have PWM circuits built into them so they operate normally with a regulated DC system.
A PWM module is very inexpensive. But finding good quality LED bulbs that fit properly in C3 (GM) sockets is not that easy. Most (if not all) of the cheap LED bulbs are JUNK!!
1. a pulse-width modulating (PWM) device that is used to adjust for all LED bulbs in a 'string';
2. bulbs that have PWM circuits built into them so they operate normally with a regulated DC system.
A PWM module is very inexpensive. But finding good quality LED bulbs that fit properly in C3 (GM) sockets is not that easy. Most (if not all) of the cheap LED bulbs are JUNK!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 365
From: The Motor City
As a friendly FYI, this nearly identical question was very recently posted - and, very frequently comes up. Do a quick search for LED bulbs and you will be pleasantly overwhelmed with insights.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 500
Likes: 27
What ever route you take you might end up experimenting a lot. Bulbs not bright enough, to big for application and short life span.
I put some red LED in climate control and had to basically modify the base of the LED as they were too long for the slot. Also side emitting would have been better than the end emitting ones I found.
I put some red LED in climate control and had to basically modify the base of the LED as they were too long for the slot. Also side emitting would have been better than the end emitting ones I found.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The simplest (and least expensive) approach is to install stock incandescent bulbs. They will last many years before they lose brightness and the dimming feature will work just fine.
I like the idea of long lasting, bright bulbs with very little current draw, too. But I haven't found a reliable way to get that done.
I like the idea of long lasting, bright bulbs with very little current draw, too. But I haven't found a reliable way to get that done.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
The simplest (and least expensive) approach is to install stock incandescent bulbs. They will last many years before they lose brightness and the dimming feature will work just fine.
I like the idea of long lasting, bright bulbs with very little current draw, too. But I haven't found a reliable way to get that done.
I like the idea of long lasting, bright bulbs with very little current draw, too. But I haven't found a reliable way to get that done.
That's why I've installed hundreds of them in my pinball machines in all of the shielded (scoring/indicating) lamps. As my newest machine is about 15 years old (before LEDs were common) I still use incandescent lamps for all of the general illumination as the LEDs are far too bright and glaring to my eyes.As '71vette said, incandescent indicator and dash illumination lamps last many years in automotive applications.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 500
Likes: 27
That's why I've installed hundreds of them in my pinball machines in all of the shielded (scoring/indicating) lamps. As my newest machine is about 15 years old (before LEDs were common) I still use incandescent lamps for all of the general illumination as the LEDs are far too bright and glaring to my eyes.As '71vette said, incandescent indicator and dash illumination lamps last many years in automotive applications.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Originally Posted by TO_Vette
Getting ready to replace the board on my tach and figured I would replace the bulbs. Do you know the part number and where I can get a set of dimmable led bulbs?
Thanks
Thanks
Craig
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
From: Bluffton, SC
LEDs for dash
Hard to capture in a picture but I love my new bright white LEDs that I installed. I never tried to dim them but I don't know why you would. I coated the back buckets with shiny aluminum to make it even brighter and lass green as well