LED map/dome lights excessive flickering.

[firefighter_2000]

When I turn the map/dome lights, after a few seconds the map lights above the front seats start flickering, much like an incandescent bulb does that's about to burn out. Time doesn't make it better, turning it off then back on does nothing. Anyone have any ideas as to what might be causing this? I still have warranty, but I hate to spend half a day at the dealership for something I might can fix myself.
Thanks
Craig

 

[CBari]

Craig I have noticed mine doing funny things too. To me mine act like they are seeing a voltage surge or drop, as they dim and get brighter. I will let you know if I find some thing out about mine.

 

[kleinbus]

Resurrecting old thread as I had same map light flickering issue on passenger side.

While my 2013 2500 was still under warranty, dealer replaced the light housing once and I thought the flickering was fixed.

Well the flickering returned about month ago so I went to see dealer parts guy and after he told me the light housing is about $350 I thought it's time to see how it's made and would I really need to pay that amount...

So the LED map lights are integrated to dome light housing so replacement will require replacing the whole housing or getting aftermarket LED's.


Required tools/items:

Battery or whatever 12V source to test the polarity..

#ad


Two replacement LED lights..

#ad




Link to where I bought the lights:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...niature-wedge-retrofit-car/204/#/tab/Overview


The map/dome light housing has two parts, the frame and the middle (that has universal garage door controller, rear window opening and map lights)

#ad


Mine as tan interior so the frame is tan color and the middle is black.

Removing the assembly from the headliner:

No tools, just clean hands and start peeling rearmost edge and once you get your fingertips between, gradually move towards windshield to pop off the spring clips holding it in. Then release all connectors and release whole rear window opener and also the "mood" light.

Once you have the assembly removed, the middle part is not needed and it will come off by releasing the two locking tabs on windshield edge.

Unfortunately I forgot to take picture from frame with map light reflectors so here is a mockup...

#ad


The squares mimic the reclectors, which are hold in place by 3 tabs and the heads need to be cut off so I used "artist"/art knife and on the two tabs on the back side, I held the blade against the reflector housing and sawed the mushroom off. The single tab between frame and reflector doesn't have enough room for the knife so I used flatnose pliers to squeeze the mushroom small enough to allow the reflector to come off. Once I got the reflectors off I trimmed the single tabs same way as the two on other side.

Once the reflectors is removed, then remove the LED lights (just pull upwards and they come off from the socket)...

#ad


Once the LED's has been removed, the frame should look like this...

#ad


Install the new LED's...

#ad


and check the polarity by attaching your power source ground to frame ground and power to map light pin...

#ad


and then press the white little button to check if the map light comes alive or not, if not then remove the LED and rotate it 180 degrees to change the polarity. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK BOTH map lights!

Once both are functional, test install the reflector and try the light again to see if you want to keep the diffuser or not, I removed mine and to remove it, remove the reflector once again and the diffuser comes off from the backside of the reflector.

After that I modified mine and painted the reflectors black...


#ad



Either glue the reflector into the tabs or use screws to secure the reflectors. I used 1.5mm drill bit to drill holes to mounting tabs so the securing screw would not crack the tabs, then installed the reflectors, added the screws and finally installed the black middle part...

#ad



Installing the whole assembly back to truck is reversed process from removal...

I did this few weeks ago and the lights work like they used to but without flickering. Map lights work as well as the dome light function (from the thumb wheel below headlight knob).

 

[gsbrockman]

Excellent write-up....especially for those that are now out of warranty.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Great writeup!

 

[Bob4x4]

Nice Job,a good diy repair for those out of warranty

 

[mpaulson]

Mine were flickering and half bright when my truck was new. They replaced the unit on warrantee and it has been good since. Seems to be a poor quality sourced part.

 

[16919]

Branching off this...is there an led/bulb set up for the dome light that is centered on the roof between the front and rear seats?

 

[kleinbus]

Between front and rear seats?

My 2013 has, on front:
- Single "courtesy/mood" light between map lights and rearview mirror
- Two map lights

On back:
- Single "dome" light mounted above rear window

The front courtesy/mood light is casted into its housing and there is no way to change the bulb and all it has is the connector to unplug the harness. I assume this light is a low intensity (candela) light to prevent it overheating and melting the plastic around but I haven't done any testing as I had issues with the map lights.

 

[16919]

Between front and rear seats?

My 2013 has, on front:
- Single "courtesy/mood" light between map lights and rearview mirror
- Two map lights

On back:
- Single "dome" light mounted above rear window

The front courtesy/mood light is casted into its housing and there is no way to change the bulb and all it has is the connector to unplug the harness. I assume this light is a low intensity (candela) light to prevent it overheating and melting the plastic around but I haven't done any testing as I had issues with the map lights.

The dome light is in the center of the roof kinda above the armrest/flip up seat. Mine is a tradesman and I don't have fancy "Mood" lights lol

 

[kleinbus]

I don't know proper term for the courtesy light, is it mood light or night light, anyways, it is a single low intensity "night light" that is active at the same time as is the door pocket and release handle lights on Laramie trim. It can be turned off from the thumb wheel to get the day time dash brightness.

If the tradesman trim has one dome light then I would assume it is replaceable bulb and all you need to do is remove the cover and check what type base it has and then order LED with the equivalent base.

 

[JCronnelly]

When I turn the map/dome lights, after a few seconds the map lights above the front seats start flickering, much like an incandescent bulb does that's about to burn out. Time doesn't make it better, turning it off then back on does nothing. Anyone have any ideas as to what might be causing this? I still have warranty, but I hate to spend half a day at the dealership for something I might can fix myself.
Thanks
Craig

Craig,
I know this post is old but I was wondering if you had another source for the replacement LEDs? The link you provided has discontinued the White LEDs. Go figure!