License Plate Lights..

[CJS525]

Hey
I'm really into making the details on my CX-7 look better. I just painted my brake calipers black and they look AWESOME! Next I'd like to change the back license plate lights to l.e.d. lights like on some lexus models, etc. Anybody know how to change those lights? I cant seem to figure out how to get into where they are! Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

[xavier]

I know what you are talking about with those led plate lights on the luxus. The light is a very pleasing light to the eye. I always get drawn into those at night...its almost cost me a few times :)
In regards to how to access the bulbs, I havent checked but I am going to be checking up on some matrix multi-directional led bulbs for the tail lights.

[motopilot]

Let's see the pics of the painted brake calipers

[CJS525]

Here are some pictures of my calipers..
Front
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/cjs525/DSC04510-1.jpg
Back
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/cjs525/DSC04510.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/cjs525/DSC04509.jpg

How do they look?? :)

[jmv]

thanks for not painting them red, lol. They look good. Can't help you with the lights, but i thought i'd let ya know i like the black on black calipers.

[kyosho26]

Remember that LED and incadesent bulbs draw different voltage so you would need some type of inline voltage regulator.

[cx7 kid]

i replaced the leds in my lic plate and both front and back blinkers to white leds. they look so much better

[CJS525]

i replaced the leds in my lic plate and both front and back blinkers to white leds. they look so much better
thats awesome! where'd you get the led bulbs and how'd you get into the license plate lights?? and did you have to do anything special or did you just plug them in?
Thanks!
Post pics

[cx7 kid]

the bulbs were easy to change just pop off the 2 covers on the license plate the are covering the 2 bulbs and they just pull right out after that. i bought them online they are a 194 bulb and i bought super white leds.
1 pic are the lic plate lights
2 are the taillights and plate lights
3,4,5 are the front led blinkers also super white leds

[spike blue]

where online?? Im interested to do the same as you!!! Looks awesome good job cx7 kid

[offset_98]

Copper Red calipers would look good on a Copper Red CX-7. Black is nice on a black car.

[cx7 kid]

http://autolumination.com/7443_7440.htm is where i got all the bulbs i needed

[mixmasterlove]

Remember that LED and incadesent bulbs draw different voltage so you would need some type of inline voltage regulator.
I thought they were just like regular plug in bulbs....what is this "inline voltage regulator" about?

[Kansei]

I thought they were just like regular plug in bulbs....what is this "inline voltage regulator" about?

You don't have to worry about it at all unless the CX-7 has a "bulb out" indicator or if you are dealing with turn signals. For the license plate lights it should be a direct swap, no problem. I think I have some 194 LED bulbs laying around, I should see if they are white and if so put them in for my license plate lighting.

[mixmasterlove]

I am actually gonna get the 2 front map, and middle AND rear overhead lights (3022 4LED festoon).

[mixmasterlove]

I got off the license plate bulb covers, but my fingers were to BIG, so I had a hard time grabbing the bulb and I just couldn't pull it out.

[papaalex]

the bulbs were easy to change just pop off the 2 covers on the license plate the are covering the 2 bulbs and they just pull right out after that. i bought them online they are a 194 bulb and i bought super white leds.
1 pic are the lic plate lights
2 are the taillights and plate lights
3,4,5 are the front led blinkers also super white leds


Those are awesome! was just wondering though are all those street legal? (just wanna make sure) :)

[Kansei]

^^ not at all.

[papaalex]

I got off the license plate bulb covers, but my fingers were to BIG, so I had a hard time grabbing the bulb and I just couldn't pull it out.

hi mixmaster.. were you able to place the 194 bulbs on your license plate lights? just wanna know what 194 bulb type you got, coz there were many choices available on the website.. thanks

[mixmasterlove]

I ordered the 4WLED, I still haven't gotten them. I will let you know then. I ordered mine from www.superbrightleds.com

[papaalex]

I ordered the 4WLED, I still haven't gotten them. I will let you know then. I ordered mine from www.superbrightleds.com

ok, thanks:)

[hectik1]

Just ordered the LED bulbs for the license plate.

www.superbrightleds.com

(first)

[giddyup]

i put 194 leds in the front map lights and 3022 9led bulbs in the back and cargo overhead lights. The interior lights up nice and bright at night. I also put 194 leds in the license plate. Looks much better then the stock bulbs. I havent tried the parking or tail lights yet. ordered mine from www.superbrightleds.com also

[mixmasterlove]

i put 194 leds in the front map lights and 3022 9led bulbs in the back and cargo overhead lights. The interior lights up nice and bright at night. I also put 194 leds in the license plate. Looks much better then the stock bulbs. I havent tried the parking or tail lights yet. ordered mine from www.superbrightleds.com also
Did the 9s fit? which bulbs did you use for the map and license plate? 1,4,6 ?

[mixmasterlove]

i put 194 leds in the front map lights and 3022 9led bulbs in the back and cargo overhead lights. The interior lights up nice and bright at night. I also put 194 leds in the license plate. Looks much better then the stock bulbs. I havent tried the parking or tail lights yet. ordered mine from www.superbrightleds.com also
Whats up I just finished installing my 4LED in the front map & license plate, and festoon 4s in the middle & rear........BUT I HAD 2 TAKE THEM OUT BECAUSE WHEN I SHUT OFF THE CAR THE MAP AND MIDDLE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON, BUT LIKE IN A DIMMED MODE. WHEN I WENT TO PUT THE STOCK BULBS BACK (I reinstalled all the OEM bulbs) IN I PUT 1 MAP BACK AND THE DIMMING WENT AWAY. Take a look at yours and tell me if yours stay on in a DIMMED MODE. Thanks

[meanstreak]

Whats up I just finished installing my 4LED in the front map & license plate, and festoon 4s in the middle & rear........BUT I HAD 2 TAKE THEM OUT BECAUSE WHEN I SHUT OFF THE CAR THE MAP AND MIDDLE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON, BUT LIKE IN A DIMMED MODE. WHEN I WENT TO PUT THE STOCK BULBS BACK (I reinstalled all the OEM bulbs) IN I PUT 1 MAP BACK AND THE DIMMING WENT AWAY. Take a look at yours and tell me if yours stay on in a DIMMED MODE. Thanks

Just a guess but perhaps there must be some current flowing through the circuit for some reason as part of some logic circuit but not enough to light up regular bulbs.

[mixmasterlove]

Just a guess but perhaps there must be some current flowing through the circuit for some reason as part of some logic circuit but not enough to light up regular bulbs.
I sent them back, they are gonna check them when they get there and call me to tell me what is up? It is just weird !!!!!!!

[mixmasterlove]

I sent them back, they are gonna check them when they get there and call me to tell me what is up? It is just weird !!!!!!!
They refunded my $ for the bulbs, siting "voltage leak" causing the DIMMED MODE. Has anyone else checked their interior lights for this? If you don't have the problem, who did you get yours from? I bought mine from www.superledlights.com

[spike blue]

ok i just spent 67.00 on leds bulbs for my baby LOL soon i will post pictures of them when i get them and install them!!!

[Arkcx7]

hey cx7 kid, what kind of bulbs are used in the rear turn signals lights. I have to get rid of that annoying amber color bulb.

[CJS525]

hey cx7 kid, what kind of bulbs are used in the rear turn signals lights. I have to get rid of that annoying amber color bulb.

And the parking/driving lights, those look awesome!

[GNsPR5]

This might be thread jacking, but I am thinking of putting one of these on my MS3 so I can let folks behind me know what I really feel. ( I can think of a number of phrases to program in already)

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/lights/8dde/

Now back to the license plate light mod...

[AWmustang]

i put 194 leds in the front map lights and 3022 9led bulbs in the back and cargo overhead lights. The interior lights up nice and bright at night. I also put 194 leds in the license plate. Looks much better then the stock bulbs. I havent tried the parking or tail lights yet. ordered mine from www.superbrightleds.com also

I found the 194 bulbs on this page: http://www.superbrightleds.com/mini-wedge.html

Which did you get? Single wedge? 4 led? 6 led?

Also I can't find the 3022 9leds you talk about.

[CJS525]

For the 194s - 4 LED will fit, 6 might but I'm not sure.

And the 3022s - http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=CAR&keywords=&cart_id=7281249.10465&next=50
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/cjs525/Untitled-1-1.jpg

Still don't know what bulbs to use for the parking lights and the rear turn signals.

[AWmustang]

Thanks!!!!

[5280_CX-7]

Remember that LED and incadesent bulbs draw different voltage so you would need some type of inline voltage regulator.

LED's are diodes, they don't care about "Voltage" it's current that they are sensitive to. Too little and they are dim, too much and they explode!
If you are replacing your bulbs with aftermarket LED bulbs you shouldn't have any problems.
If you want to make your own custom installation you need a current limiting resistor. LED's like about 20 mA of current. So you need to know a couple of things: your cars voltage and the voltage drop across the LED you want to use so you can figure out what value resistor to use.
I wrote a little website on how to figure it out: http://www.ineedawebsite.com/BlazingCopperZX3/Auto%20LEDs.html
I used a couple of green LED's to light up the cup holders in my Ford Focus, my wife won't let me mess with her CX-7.

[CJS525]

Finally decided to go LED...

ON
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/cjs525/DSC04658.jpg

OFF
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/cjs525/DSC04656.jpg

Got the normal 194s in for the front map lights and license plate, and 9 led festoon bulbs for the back lights. I also frosted the outside plastic for the light on all the dome lights.

I'll post more later tonight after it gets a bit darker.

[jamesjoo]

anyone changed dash board led ?personally, i dont like the red ones,,,wanna change it to blue.