DIY Interior Lights Install MKV Golf ***PICTURE INTENSIVE****

[CSR]

SO, my first attempt at writing up a DIY. Thought i'd do something for the community that's helped me out immensely over the last few months.

Note, there are LOTS of pictures for absolute fool-proof instructions, if I can do it, you DEFINATELY can.

I bought a set of 10 interior LED lights from Tunerdomes for my MKV R32 Golf:
http://www.tunerdomes.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=70
You can get these lights in different colours as per their website but I thought i'd go for the white one for practicality and also because I have a euro car and not a jap car, and blue / red neon looking lighting inside my car isn't ideal unless this was a bangbus.
Lights came in convenient packaging labelled for each section of the car it replaces.
No instructions so I thought I would wing it, shouldn't be too hard.

Given that I was doing this at 10PM at night, it was a very awkward process getting to each of the lights and replacing them whilst taking pictures of every step.

What you will need:
1. Plastic card (don't use your credit card you WILL bend it). Use an old membership card for something, we all have them.
2. A torch if working at night :D
3. Lots of patience..
4. A plier to get some of the nasty lights out when they're being stubborn and/or gloves to not burn yourself.

Here we go.

First few pictures are of the car with the standard yellow lights.
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1007.jpg
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1005.jpg
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1006.jpg
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1004.jpg


My first job was the hatch light.

BEFORE
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1017.jpg

There's only one light in the hatch, located on the driver's side. I did this with the hatch closed because I didn't have pliers nor gloves and didn't want to burn my hand, so my access was from the backseat.

First step was unclipping the dome from the right side with the card. Just lever it and it should pop out fairly easy.
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1013.jpg
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1014.jpg
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1015.jpg

Now pop out the old light.

Side by side comparison of the two lights. (Left is LED, Right is OEM).
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1018-1.jpg

Before putting the light in, open the hatch to trigger the switch and make sure that the polarity is correct. This'll save you time in case it needs to be rotated. Just touch the connectors, if it lights up stick it in if not reverse it. Obviously make sure the light is facing downward on the dome (instead of upward into its cave of nothingness). Do this with all of the lights.

AFTER
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1023.jpg

Moving onto the rear map lights, there are three.

BEFORE
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1024.jpg

Unclip the plastic cover by sliding the plastic card around until you find an entry point. Just lever it around until it unclips.
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1026.jpg

Once you've done that, do the same for the plastic surround. At first I thought it was stuck onto the roof because it wouldn't budge but just take your time and it'll come.
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1028.jpg
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1029.jpg

Side by side comparison (Left is LED, Right is OEM).
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1030.jpg

Led VS Oem
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1032.jpg

AFTER
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1033.jpg
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1035.jpg

Moving on, next thing to tackle are the visor lights.

BEFORE
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1036.jpg

This is very easy and same principle as the hatch light. Use the plastic card to unclip the dome, take out the light and put the LED back in.
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1038.jpg
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1039.jpg

Side by side comparison (Top is LED, Bottom is OEM).
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1040.jpg

AFTER
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1041.jpg

Next up are the front map lights.

This one was a bit tricky as the plastic dome cover has more clips. Again, find the point where your card will slip in and start levering. A bit of force is required, you shouldn't break the clips they are quite small and strong.
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1043.jpg

Again, like for the rear map lights, a secondary plastic cover needs to be taken off. This again is a bit tricky but patience is key.
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1044.jpg

DURING
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1045.jpg

My clever torch positioning, wedged between the dash trim and the shift knob.
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1046.jpg


This light actually gave me SO MUCH TROUBLE. It is inserted into two very tight connectors at an awkward angle and the OEM light fits in perfectly but the thicker LED needs some force to go in.
It took me 10 minutes for each light (also awkward positioning didn't help) and actually I never did the left side light.
This is because I pushed so much one of the connectors got pushed back.
I got a bulldog clip and started trying to lever it back forward and ended up snapping it off. I don't know how i'm going to fix that, will talk to my hands-on colleague at work tomorrow to see if he can maybe solder a connection or something. Kind of pissed me off because I was doing so well.

The only lights left now are the footwells.

BEFORE
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1050.jpg

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1049.jpg

The dome on this actually doesn't want to come off. You will notice however that there is a hole where you can put your fingers through and push the dome out from the back. I got the dome out but there was some kind of cover on the actual light which I still haven't figured out how to take off (didn't take a picture yet). I almost broke another clip by forcing it too much so will give it a rest for the night. DIY should hopefully be completed tomorrow morning.

Every time I DIY something I break SOMETHING which is often tiny but leaves you that nagging thought for ages. The lights are so bright I could live without the left side map light but that's not the way to think!!!.

A few after shots (keep in mind the left front map light is not on because the connector won't work).
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1053.jpg
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1054.jpg
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1055.jpg

The difference is literally night and day, I'm very happy with this purchase and at $73.80 US it's a steal. I haven't checked yet whether any error codes come up but will do so once I replace the rest of the lights tomorrow (footwell, left front map light).

That's it y'all...Come back when it's finished :)

Edit:
OK, back on the footwells, it's actually quite easy to get to the lights inside these. The bulb is housed in a metal box which has 4 tabs to the plastic dome, simply use a small flathead screwdriver to pry the metal housing tabs away from the plastic and lift up the box.

The thing I found hardest about these is actually getting the footwell lights OUT. The driver's side in particular took me 15 minutes and a lot of swear words as I didn't have the same access behind the dome to push the light out. By far the hardest light to get to but well worth it. I didn't take anymore pictures as you can tell what a difference it makes.

Overall, it's a great mod imo, cleans up the car very nicely at night and now the lights are actually useful for something. The dimming features still work but you do sometimes get a shock when you pull out the key from the ignition at night time as your world turns bright white.

[Steve]

Nice work Clemente.

Putting this on my "to-do" list for .:R32 and the the Polo

[mk5]

well done clemente, love it,

[zz2]

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l596/CSRR32/Tunerdomes%20Interior%20Light%20DIY/DSCF1041.jpg


nice 'stache!


btw how you finding the colour? im resisting doing this mod myself because i dont like cold white colours for interior lighting. has it affected the 'mood' of the interior? do the lights still dim in and out when you open and close the doors?

[CSR]

Everything still works in the same way.

Haven't really had any real time to look at them other than taking pictures, will let you know what I think of them over the coming days.

To be honest though it looks good, the pale yellow lighting is not very helpful and I think is going to be going the way of the carburetor soon :)

[xc17ed]

Great write up, I've done this mod as well and I'm happy with it. It does make everything alot brighter in the cabin and less moody, but I prefer being able to see better.

[markwid]

Pics are terrible though. :-)

[morph]

yea something on my to do list when i'm bored eventually

These LED's all have resistors on it? No error codes?

[CSR]

Update - No error codes on the dash as of yet, the bulbs specifically said they were "error-cancelling LED's". Will run a VAG-COM scan tonight and see if any fault codes are thrown up in the scan.

Will also finish the DIY with the footwells.

P.S. I managed to grab a twig and stuff it in between the connector and the new LED light, it's tight enough so it won't rattle and with the cover back on it's not moving anywhere anytime soon.

[stephen8512]

Looks good Clemente! U should also do the glovebox light as the bulb is the same T10 wedge for the footwells.

And the rear licence plate lights shouldnt throw any errors out at all.

[CSR]

The R32 doesn't come with a glovebox light.

I did the rear LED lights and no errors.


btw how you finding the colour? im resisting doing this mod myself because i dont like cold white colours for interior lighting. has it affected the 'mood' of the interior? do the lights still dim in and out when you open and close the doors?

Mate I got home today from work (and it was dark) and as I took the key out of the ignition the world went bright white. So yeah to answer your question - it is a bit of a mood killer in that aspect, as the light really IS bright, however when you think about it, what do you use the interior lights for? Usually for finding stuff / reading stuff.
WELL, this will fix any vision problems you may have had before and looks 200% better imo - Also helps find your car in a parking lot at night :D

[OraQube]

Hey Clemente, nice write up :)

I also changed a few of my interior lights a while back, and in case you were wondering, both the front and rear map lights aren't monitored (surprisingly). This means that even if you install normal leds in them, they won't throw any error codes. The footwell lights however, are monitored.

Secondly, with the front map lights, I too had a lot of trouble trying to remove the plastic cover. It just wouldn't budge so in the end I gave up and found another way around it. You can actually remove the entire panel including the light compartment, buttons, sunroof control by popping open the plastic flap at the opposite end of the lights. From memory, there are screws hidden underneath the two covers with the hole-like surface. Once undone, the whole panel can be removed and taken down, exposing the back of the globe holders, making it much easier to replace the globes!

[shakespeare]

Great write up, thanks for the DIY :)

One question, do you need to disconnect your battery?

Thanks
Chris

[xc17ed]

Great write up, thanks for the DIY :)

One question, do you need to disconnect your battery?

Thanks
Chris

No you don't, most of the lights can be switched off while you're working on them, for the others they'll just pop on straight away.

[frazza]

Nice work, makes me wanna do it :D

[swalee]

Really nice write up there Clemente, I thought these guys refused to ship internationally, maybe Im wrong.

[CSR]

Don't know >.> I got it sent to me through our company's American suppliers :D

P.S. For whoever asked before, yes it still does dim when going off so the ambience is still there..just a very bright ambience :D

[frazza]

So does anyone have a full list off all the LED's we would need for an R

Also has anyone changed the indicator bulbs with LEDs

[onpole01]

Nice DIY write-up mate and looks great!

[CSR]

So does anyone have a full list off all the LED's we would need for an R

Also has anyone changed the indicator bulbs with LEDs

I think by law indicator bulbs have to be amber colour...I guess you could get amber LED's but what's the point?

[frazza]

I think by law indicator bulbs have to be amber colour...I guess you could get amber LED's but what's the point?

Yeah they would need to be amber, but on the R the stock bulbs are a bit dull, be nice to have them clearer and brighter, maybe :)

[CSR]

Footwell updated into OP - What a bitch of a thing to remove..

[Neo-Orpheus]

Nice write up. I've ordered the SMD LED lights from Germany and they are in transit. Can't wait to install them in.

[tylerjames]

I'm not sure if I want to try replacing the interior lights of my new Golf.
the last 2 cars I've had, it's been the first thing I've done.

But after having my golf for over 3 weeks now, I'm still not sure if I want to changeout all the lights

I have a Black MKV golf with the tan/beige leather
I think the yellow lights on the leather almost make it look nicer...

[i-vtec]

Anyone know if the lights from superbrightleds.com are error cancelling ?
or do the interior front and rear map lights don't give out any error ?

[Jaw Racing]

Just a quick note. Jaycar Electronics do these T10 and festoon LED's at a very reasonable price. Page 266 of their 2011 catalogue has a 15 pack of T10's in white/red or yellow for $24.95. Buy individually from $1.95. Festoon start at $12.95. I always put these in my cars and bikes. Might be a cheaper option than getting from O/S. All the best.! (www.jaycar.com.au) and NO, I don't work for them, just a nutter for LED's.... =O)

[mrplow]

This is my next DIY. Is there another site you can order a whole set + number plate kit which ships to Australia?

[markwid]

I'm not sure if I want to try replacing the interior lights of my new Golf.
I think the yellow lights on the leather almost make it look nicer...
+1. Same.

Inside the car, in the evening, the LEDs would just be too harsh and take away the soft/soothing ambience.

[mrplow]

These are the same as R right? http://www.tunerdomes.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=88&added=1

Also, why are these bulbs coming up as the rear license plate bulbs: http://www.tunerdomes.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=143

[dopey]

Looks good! Thanks for the review.

From your pictures it looks like these replacement LED bulbs provide a strong and even light which is something you don't see in all LED replacement bulbs. These ones seem to spray light all over the place which is awesome.

Might have to invest in a set I think :)

With regards to the regular globes providing better ambience - I agree with you guys, however, being able to see properly when I turn the interior light on to attend to something is more important to me. The standard lights do ok but the LED's are way stronger. Will make cleaning the interior while in the garage much easier too I hope.

[tylerjames]

Looks good! Thanks for the review.

With regards to the regular globes providing better ambience - I agree with you guys, however, being able to see properly when I turn the interior light on to attend to something is more important to me. The standard lights do ok but the LED's are way stronger. Will make cleaning the interior while in the garage much easier too I hope.

I think i prefer the ambience of the OEM lights which I see everyday as opposed to the brightness I'd need when cleaning the interior which I do once every 2-3 weeks. (maybe get a torch) lol
BUT - In saying this, I may think different if I had dark interior colours..

[mrplow]

Okay I'm going crazy here searching for a complete bulb list. Everywhere I look I get slightly different answers/sizes.

Can anyone help me out?

Glovebox = 194?
Footwells = 194?
Visors = 37mm festoon?
Front Map = 194?
Rear Map = 194?
Mid Dome = 194?
Trunk = 43mm festoon?
Rear License Plate = T10?

[benough]

I went down the path of using Phillips Bluevision wedge bulbs for my interior.

It's a much whiter light but with out the intensity of LEDs. I reckon you'd dig that Mark/ZZ2.

Care to comment John?

[benough]

The loose change in my pocket says it's awesome or I punch you in the dick.

[CSR]

Respect. Punch for what you believe in.

[dopey]

If anyone else wants to order these globes let me know, Tunerdomes will only ship internationally if the order is above $100 and the globes I need aren't quite up to that amount. If anyone is interested in getting an order together send me a PM.

[CSR]

If anyone else wants to order these globes let me know, Tunerdomes will only ship internationally if the order is above $100 and the globes I need aren't quite up to that amount. If anyone is interested in getting an order together send me a PM.

I actually e-mailed them over the weekend to see if we can organise a group buy...Will let you know if they reply!

[mrplow]

Mine just arrived from tunerdomes. Was dealing with David, very very helpful. Helped me out with full interior and rear plate LEDs. All arrived labelled for each section. Hopefully get round to installing this week.

[stefans]

Anyone had the issue that when you changed the two map lights up front, you get no light?

When the LED is pushed in on my car, it lights up when pushed in maybe one quarter of the way, once its pushed in all the way, no dice :S really doesnt make sense to me...

[CSR]

Map lights up front were an absolute bitch from memory, have to be installed at a really funny angle.

Just make sure that when it's pushed in all the way the connectors are still touching the conductive strip and not just bare.
I can have a look at it on Friday if you haven't sorted it out yet.

[stefans]

ok wicked, ill have another fiddle today but that could be really helpful, thanks mate!

[Neo-Orpheus]

I had the same problem with the map lights also, you just need to adjust it by pulling in and out of the socket to get the right contact. My bulbs go in 3/4 the way into the socket and if I push all the way in then it turns off or flickers.

[Neo-Orpheus]

Can you advise if the license plate lights produce a bulb error?

[MiLos]

Liam, going by the group order thread the TunderDomes plate LED's do throw an error.

[stefans]

Ohh thanks mate, may go try that then. problem is, when mine actually work, its not in enough to hold the globe haha. if i let them go they fall out. Shattered

[stefans]

all done, thanks guys. Just try time and time again, until by some chance the wires line up haha, then it works. got a headache from staring at the leds now haha

[CSR]

Liam, going by the group order thread the TunderDomes plate LED's do throw an error.

Only for MK6, not MK5. Then again, even OEM ones throw a code so maybe just install them, go to your dealer and get them to switch it off? Or maybe can be programmed via VCDS..

[MiLos]

yeah i saw he had a MK6 so i was too lazy to write it works for MK5 :P

[MiLos]

just in the process of installing my LED's. hoping someone can shed an observation - once the rear dome light (center rear) is installed and the plastic clipped back in, has anyone noticed that the LED seems to sit pretty much right up against the clear plastic? could this prove to be a problem - i.e. heat melting the plastic etc. i know LED's emit low levels of heat, however my clear plastic goes right up against the LED it seems.

oh and.. trying to figure out how to get the front map light surrounding plastic off.. ideas? Clem's surrounding plastic is different setup to mine, his being MKV :|

[CSR]

I also noticed my led's sit right up against the plastic dome for the centre dome bulbs. So far no problems here..

[Adamolee]

I got all my LED's from here - http://www.virtualvillage.co.uk/car/led-car-bulbs/interior-lights.html?limit=28

Trendy colours etc - http://www.virtualvillage.co.uk/assorted-pack-of-blue-interior-lights-for-golfs-002510-156.html

For all i know my VADGECOM could be throwin up all sorts of errors but they all work,

I never knew about error cancelling ones before now,

Am I frying circuits or have i just installed budget leds in my car?

[CSR]

You should be right bro. Interior lights don't have sensors to throw up codes...any led will be fine..

[MiLos]

Ok guys I managed to install the complete interior kit from TunerDomes. Happy to say I didn't break anything! :D Here's some untouched photos of the finished product in total darkness. They are bright! The photos are pretty close to the real look. If anyone wants any tips feel free to ask.

Maybe these should be in another thread?

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/221/img2488x.jpg

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3299/img2498o.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9073/img2500xq.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2622/img2502j.jpg

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2663/img2508q.jpg

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/2990/img2512r.jpg

[CSR]

I just want tips on how to get clear photos of lights in total darkness...as you can see I wasn't very successful ;D

[MiLos]

Haha these were taken with a Cannon PowerShot SX210IS - pretty good results for a point & shoot, albeit an expensive point & shoot lol. Basically a tripod is a must and you have to play around with the manual settings to get a near real result.

[DOM337]

Just followed this guide to install my lights! Very very useful - thank you. Took away heaps of the mistakes I probably would have made.

Just a note with the drivers footwell; take the panel out using a T20 torx bit. It'll save you heaps of time and shit loads of frustration lol

[tuz]

those leds look HECTIK!!! cant wait to get mine and install them

[Scottyd]

That looks awesome! I will definitely be doing this on the weekend :)
Thanks for all the pics and write ups guys!