Led Interior lights
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Led Interior lights
Hello I recently swapped my overhead map lights with Led replacements. ( 2005, C-6 Coupe) I also replaced the footwell lights for Led strips. I am now noticing that once the timer powers down the lights after closing the door that they are not shutting down completely. I can see a dim glow from all 4 locations . I pulled a light and put a volt meter in the socket. At rest, there is still 7.1 volts available. I replaced the original bulb temporarily which exhibited NO signs of any glow. Someone wrote elsewhere that there is always power left on and the source but not enough to power up the incandescent bulbs and since the LED's take less to operate they can work with 7 volts.
Do you think that is the case or do you believe there is a malfunction in the power down circuit? BTW, I am keenly aware of the dash switch that we ALL have bumped thus leaving on the overheads.
Thanks a ton. Ed
Do you think that is the case or do you believe there is a malfunction in the power down circuit? BTW, I am keenly aware of the dash switch that we ALL have bumped thus leaving on the overheads.
Thanks a ton. Ed
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 901
Likes: 45
From: Winter Haven FL
I changed all the interior lights to LEDs on my 2011 about two years ago. Months later I read a post on the forum similar to yours. Went out o the dark garage and sure enough could see a dim glow from the map lights. It has never been a problem. The LEDs do not draw enough current to cause a drain and be a problem. They certainly do look better. Also changed backups and installed Eagle Eye tail lights, JWM fog lights and Radio Flyer switchback DRLs.
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,154
Likes: 7,437
From: Pittsburgh
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Hello I recently swapped my overhead map lights with Led replacements. ( 2005, C-6 Coupe) I also replaced the footwell lights for Led strips. I am now noticing that once the timer powers down the lights after closing the door that they are not shutting down completely. I can see a dim glow from all 4 locations . I pulled a light and put a volt meter in the socket. At rest, there is still 7.1 volts available. I replaced the original bulb temporarily which exhibited NO signs of any glow. Someone wrote elsewhere that there is always power left on and the source but not enough to power up the incandescent bulbs and since the LED's take less to operate they can work with 7 volts.
Do you think that is the case or do you believe there is a malfunction in the power down circuit? BTW, I am keenly aware of the dash switch that we ALL have bumped thus leaving on the overheads.
Thanks a ton. Ed
Do you think that is the case or do you believe there is a malfunction in the power down circuit? BTW, I am keenly aware of the dash switch that we ALL have bumped thus leaving on the overheads.
Thanks a ton. Ed
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 769
From: Mead Wash
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
LED Interior Lights
As far as the map lights the better quality 194 bulb will not stay on dim. I believe I got mine from JWM Motorsports. $33.00 shipped. 
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 220
Easy solution for this is to leave one of the two passenger footwell lights as a non LED.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 769
From: Mead Wash
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Yes. I changed out the foot well lights also. However I did NOT change out the Glove Box light but the inexpensive 194's I put in the Map Lights stayed on dim. JWM light package much better LED's for the Map Lights. Problem solved.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Hello I recently swapped my overhead map lights with Led replacements. ( 2005, C-6 Coupe) I also replaced the footwell lights for Led strips. I am now noticing that once the timer powers down the lights after closing the door that they are not shutting down completely. I can see a dim glow from all 4 locations . I pulled a light and put a volt meter in the socket. At rest, there is still 7.1 volts available. I replaced the original bulb temporarily which exhibited NO signs of any glow. Someone wrote elsewhere that there is always power left on and the source but not enough to power up the incandescent bulbs and since the LED's take less to operate they can work with 7 volts.
Do you think that is the case or do you believe there is a malfunction in the power down circuit? BTW, I am keenly aware of the dash switch that we ALL have bumped thus leaving on the overheads.
Thanks a ton. Ed
Do you think that is the case or do you believe there is a malfunction in the power down circuit? BTW, I am keenly aware of the dash switch that we ALL have bumped thus leaving on the overheads.
Thanks a ton. Ed
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Thanks!
1st post for me after being a long-time viewer/reader of this forum.
I fussed with my LEDs not going completely out for weeks until finally calling it quits!
That is until I came across this thread.
I too figured out if I leave a footwell light original, everything is fine. However, I’m using colored lights and leaving one white ruins the effect.
Did only buy the cheap bulbs (twice!) and will pick up some JWM bulbs and cross my fingers.
If they still remain dim, I won’t stress about it.
Thanks all!
I fussed with my LEDs not going completely out for weeks until finally calling it quits!
That is until I came across this thread.
I too figured out if I leave a footwell light original, everything is fine. However, I’m using colored lights and leaving one white ruins the effect.
Did only buy the cheap bulbs (twice!) and will pick up some JWM bulbs and cross my fingers.
If they still remain dim, I won’t stress about it.
Thanks all!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
I think LEDs would be recommended for the center mirror assembly. There's a lot of electronics in there and the stock incandescents can cause unneeded heating of the assembly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 450
From: Texarkana Texas
Mine do the same thing, but they never go out. I also keep my car on a battery maintainer. The map light stays on all the time, very dim. The lights in the rear compartment do go out after a period of time as do the ones in the footwells.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 72
Likes: 22
From: South Carolina
Just went out & locked up the garage, open both doors on the Vette & then closed them. All of my red interior lights went out completely after a few seconds. the only blub that is not LED RED is the glove box, which still has the original bulb install. Just to much of a pain in the *** to get to. Go Figure!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 769
From: Mead Wash
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
I bought these and they don't stay on, are bright, and have none of the other LED issues everyone is always bitching about. Best of all they were very reasonably priced. YMMV
https://www.ebay.com/itm/13x-White-L...6/162399014611
https://www.ebay.com/itm/13x-White-L...6/162399014611
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
It's been a while since I did mine but if I remember correctly the entire push button light switch assembly comes out the front. There is a tab on each side of the switch and you squeeze the switch and the entire assembly pulls out of the front at which time replacing the bulbs is simply unplugging and plugging back in.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 769
From: Mead Wash
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Led map lights