🔴 LED interior lighting swap. No more blinding white reflective light in cockpit at night.

[CasualSpec]

PSA

ive had issues in my g37 with led map light. it would cause parasitic draw and the car battery would die faster then normal. the led light would cause parasitic draw because it would not "completely turn off". i guess when it dims to off. something in the led keeps it "on".

i put back the old incandescent bulbs and no more parasitic draw. im assuming the new z has the same thing. we'll need an update, if someone would reply in the future. if your car battery died early.

 

[Thefunk]

As much as I like the mood of red light, imagine you're somewhere very dark at night and need to find something in the car. Better have a flashlight stashed in the car.

 

[Mr. Mac]

PSA

ive had issues in my g37 with led map light. it would cause parasitic draw and the car battery would die faster then normal. the led light would cause parasitic draw because it would not "completely turn off". i guess when it dims to off. something in the led keeps it "on".

i put back the old incandescent bulbs and no more parasitic draw. im assuming the new z has the same thing. we'll need an update, if someone would reply in the future. if your car battery died early.

Can't speak for others of course, but after nearly a year now I've noticed no such draw/drainage.

 

[Mr. Mac]

As much as I like the mood of red light, imagine you're somewhere very dark at night and need to find something in the car. Better have a flashlight stashed in the car.

Yep, absolutely. I actually keep two flashlights stashed. A small one in center console for rooting around in dark car if ever needed, and a larger one in kit bag stored in back incase of roadside emergencies at night. Thankfully neither one has been needed to date, but yeah, always kept on hand.

 

[Thefunk]

Actually now that I'm thinking ab

Yep, absolutely. I actually keep two flashlights stashed. A small one in center console for rooting around in dark car if ever needed, and a larger one in kit bag stored in back incase of roadside emergencies at night. Thankfully neither one has been needed to date, but yeah, always kept on hand.

Now that I think about it, a headlamp is probably the best thing to have in the car. Rooting around with two hands is better than one.

 

[Mr. Mac]

Actually now that I'm thinking ab

Now that I think about it, a headlamp is probably the best thing to have in the car. Rooting around with two hands is better than one.

Funny you should mention that because I just bought a few of these silicon headlamps off Amazon last week. Super bright, compact, lightweight, USB-C rechargeable, and inexpensive too.

PS: Here's link for anyone interested. Currently just $36 for a 5-pack.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DG27JCCG

 

[Z4Ace]

I bought the exact ones. No luck, maybe received a bad batch.

 

[RZ34Steven]

ThankS Bro

This looks

ThankS Bro

this looks really good did you get the ones Mac suggested just in blue?

 

[Mr. Mac]

UPDATE: Homogenous red LED strip has also been mounted hidden underneath the rear strut support brace that provides just the right amount of indirect ambient interior lighting at night without being distracting (it has a hidden dimmer control as well to dial in the desired brightness level).

 

[JonnyG]

This looks

this looks really good did you get the ones Mac suggested just in blue?

Yes - Amazon - sorry cant find part#

 

[Leroy819]

Can't speak for others of course, but after nearly a year now I've noticed no such draw/drainage.

I just confirmed this issue after installing the White Sylvania bulbs. If you have the ON-DOOR-OFF selector in the DOOR position and let the lights all turn off, they will stay super dim and eventually flicker a bit. I noticed the two green LEDs on the S.O.S. button also flickering. They stay dim while driving as well.

I replaced just one of the Sylvania LEDs with the regular 194 halogen and they started working normally so it obviously needs a load on the circuit (looked weird with one yellow and one white bulb). I replaced the Sylvania with a cheap LUYED 194 CanBus bulb and it's working correctly again. Unfortunately the Sylvania one doesn't have a proper setup for CanBus circuits.

I used the sylvania bulb in the hatch and didn't notice any issues yet. I will advise if I notice anything.

These bulbs have mixed reviews but I used them for over 8 years in another car and had no issues. I'm gonna put two of these in and see if I have any issues.

 

[Leroy819]

I just confirmed this issue after installing the White Sylvania bulbs. If you have the ON-DOOR-OFF selector in the DOOR position and let the lights all turn off, they will stay super dim and eventually flicker a bit. I noticed the two green LEDs on the S.O.S. button also flickering. They stay dim while driving as well.

I replaced just one of the Sylvania LEDs with the regular 194 halogen and they started working normally so it obviously needs a load on the circuit (looked weird with one yellow and one white bulb). I replaced the Sylvania with a cheap LUYED 194 CanBus bulb and it's working correctly again. Unfortunately the Sylvania one doesn't have a proper setup for CanBus circuits.

I used the sylvania bulb in the hatch and didn't notice any issues yet. I will advise if I notice anything.

These bulbs have mixed reviews but I used them for over 8 years in another car and had no issues. I'm gonna put two of these in and see if I have any issues.

The LED I put in the hatch area is also staying on while driving. Swapped it for the Halogen bulb. Waiting on some new CANbus LEDs.