[sakdaroc]

Hi All...was wondering if anyone had a fix or a solution to a map light that is not working properly. I thought it was just a burnt out bulb. So I took the opportunity to upgrade/convert all the eligible bulbs to LED (Diode Dynamics) based on the post/comments I have seen in this forum. Turns out there is something more to it, after replacing that particular bulb it did not light up..so i wiggled it a bit and was able to get some illumination but its not full bright. Any ideas how to fix?

Was thinking applying bulb lubricant, saw a random packet in my garage, not sure if that will help the contact points or if it could be used with LED bulbs.

Did try a search but could not find anything, please link me any related post in case I missed.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Why not have your dealer fix it under warranty, assuming you're still within the 3/36 OEM warranty period?

 

[sakdaroc]

Why not have your dealer fix it under warranty, assuming you're still within the 3/36 OEM warranty period?

Unfortunately, 2019 Touring picked up August of 2018 with ~49k. I will bring up at next service, if I cant find a remedy. Thanks!

 

[Robert.Mauro]

It's an incompatibility with the LEDs. I tried a different brand and had similar results.

 

[caldezrat]

Have you tried reversing the bulb? I’ve seen other forums where led bulbs are sensitive to polarity.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Wow, I hope that's all it is. Thanks!!! I will try tonight.

 

[sakdaroc]

Have you tried reversing the bulb? I’ve seen other forums where led bulbs are sensitive to polarity.

Will give it a try. Hopefully that's all it is. Here's what it currently looks like.

 

[budzster]

Have you tried reversing the bulb? I’ve seen other forums where led bulbs are sensitive to polarity.

^This has happened to me.

Troubleshoot the bulb with a alternate 12v supply or the socket that lights up correctly. Bulb okay? great. If it is the socket, it is not getting a solid ground.

 

[SuperSirLink]

Have this problem too, swapping bulbs doesn’t change. The driver side is always dimmer. Using regular non LED bulbs. Checking with a multimeter shows it is getting about 2v less than the passenger side.

 

[SuperSirLink]

found out today my issue flipped, now the driver side is on (still low voltage), but the passenger side refuses to work. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Robert.Mauro]

found out today my issue flipped, now the driver side is on (still low voltage), but the passenger side refuses to work. Anyone have any thoughts?

Did you install LEDs?

 

[SuperSirLink]

Did you install LEDs?

No, they are the factory incidencent bulbs... Sockets seem to be loose the more I play with it. But the brightness difference persists on the drive side even if I swap the bulbs. Multimeter shows I am only getting 10v when the engine is off and about 12v when the engine is on. Passenger side is about 2v higher respectively...

So now the question is why would one socket be putting out less voltage. I am assuming they are wired in parallel...

 

[Robert.Mauro]

No, they are the factory incidencent bulbs... Sockets seem to be loose the more I play with it. But the brightness difference persists on the drive side even if I swap the bulbs. Multimeter shows I am only getting 10v when the engine is off and about 12v when the engine is on. Passenger side is about 2v higher respectively...

So now the question is why would one socket be putting out less voltage. I am assuming they are wired in parallel...

Interesting. Mine started doing this after I'd changed some bulbs. I thought it was the new bulbs.

 

[SuperSirLink]

Interesting. Mine started doing this after I'd changed some bulbs. I thought it was the new bulbs.

yeah, I am scratching my head... Wondered if it could be a bad socket, but that is a lot of voltage drop in just a socket. Will have to take down the plastic shroud to see if I can get a better sense of how it is wired. But I am not going to go too far as we just got it as a CPO and got the gold plus warranty extension. Just figured if it was an easy fix or common issue, I would take a stab at it and avoid the hassle.

 

[clsayre]

Will give it a try. Hopefully that's all it is. Here's what it currently looks like.

View attachment 13718

Wondering if you ever figured this out. Exact thing happened to me on my 2019 Premium. Both front lights stopped working, I took bulbs out and replaced. Passenger side is bright and fine, driver side doesn't work or is very dim. I'm off warranty as well and need help!

 

[clsayre]

It's an incompatibility with the LEDs. I tried a different brand and had similar results.

Were you able to get full functionality with a different brand? I get dim and inconsistent light with an led bulb and nothing with a working original bulb.

 

[clsayre]

^This has happened to me.

Troubleshoot the bulb with a alternate 12v supply or the socket that lights up correctly. Bulb okay? great. If it is the socket, it is not getting a solid ground.

Appreciate your comment. How would you go about ensuring a solid ground if the bulb is tested fine?

 

[ericjkelly]

Following. Mine are terrible too! Tried upgrading to LED and no difference.

 

[budzster]

How would you go about ensuring a solid ground if the bulb is tested fine?

Use a multi meter to test the voltage at the exact spots that the bulb makes the connections in the socket. It should read same as a good socket. If lower, examine how the socket is getting the ground. Is it riveted to a body ground? Is there a tab that just rubs against a body ground? If it is a dedicated wire giving the socket the ground, follow it back and examine how it is attached to ground. If any problems with the wire, run a dedicated ground wire to the socket yourself. If a problem rivet, solder it. If a problem tab, put a screw through it.

Disclaimer: I have not opened up that assembly myself. I hope these general troubleshoot rules help.

 

[SuperSirLink]

yeah in my case the driver side was consistently about 2v less than the passenger, 10v engine off, 12v engine on... I haven't gotten a chance to trace back how the socket is wired. Good point on the ground, that would be the case is the ground for each socket is separate...