C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

LED under dash courtesy bulbs

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Old Feb 17, 2021 | 02:24 AM
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Default LED under dash courtesy bulbs

1985 corvette. I want to replace the OEM under dash courtesy bulbs 578 with LED preferably in blue. If I can’t find a blue replacement I could line the inside of the housing with blue transparent film. The oem 578 bulbs have a metal wire on each end that looks like a staple. These wires hook over a small projection on either end of the copper conductor strip in the housing. The LED replacement bulbs all have “torpedo”shaped ends with no wire to hook over the projections in the housing. They refer to these bulbs as festoon. I don’t think these bulbs will fit in the housings as it is now. I have read about guys switching out these under dash courtesy bulbs with LED bulbs. Does anyone have a suggestion other than not switching to LED?
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Old Feb 17, 2021 | 05:54 AM
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Easiest would be to (neatly) splice into the wiring so you have both the OEM socket and the LED socket.

BTW, why blue instead of matching the color/tone of the dash lights?
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Old Feb 17, 2021 | 06:38 AM
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I replaced the foot well lights with LED in my 85 some time ago. I believe I used these https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...-44mm-car/244/. Looks like they are available in blue.
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Old Feb 17, 2021 | 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by 65Z01
Easiest would be to (neatly) splice into the wiring so you have both the OEM socket and the LED socket.

BTW, why blue instead of matching the color/tone of the dash lights?
hi and thanks for trying to help me out. Sorry don’t really understand how splicing into the existing wiring gives me a led socket. How will the LED bulb fit into the existing housing simply because it’s spliced into the line now. that housing is not designed for that type of an LED bulb I think. Unless I’m missing something!

I thought blue would be a nice color for the under Dash lighting because I have light blue leather seats and navy blue carpeting which I just installed plus the car color is a light blue with a darker royal blue in the bottom 1/3.
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Old Feb 18, 2021 | 02:24 PM
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I removed the housings and soldered the pointy end LED bulbs in place. Easy job at a low cost.
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Old Feb 18, 2021 | 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by LiveWire1
I removed the housings and soldered the pointy end LED bulbs in place. Easy job at a low cost.
did you solder the pointy end to the copper metal conductor (where the bulb attaches to) inside the housing? Then use the existing housing? Thanks
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Old Feb 19, 2021 | 11:46 AM
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Exactly. Just a drop of solder on the bulb ends to the contacts in the housing.
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Old Feb 19, 2021 | 01:31 PM
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Default Solder bulb

Thanks again I will try your technique!😎
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