Bulb type for Map Lights

[31337]

Does anybody know what bulb is used for the map lights?

[o6spdracer]

Its a 194. Or you can go with some LED's. Look here for notes: Superbrightleds.com - Important Car Bulb Information

[31337]

Originally Posted by o6spdracer

Its a 194. Or you can go with some LED's. Look here for notes: Superbrightleds.com - Important Car Bulb Information

That is exactly what I'm doing. I just wanted to make sure before I placed my order. so far I changed my gauges over to red as well as my key ring and ash tray.

[eckoman_pdx]

Do you mean the map lights/dome light? A 194 is a push in wedge based bulb. The interior dome/map lights in the MKII are not a wedge bulb, and are not a 194. They have a twist in base. They look similar to the bulb below.



There are several types that look like they'd work, but I have not seem a number for the actual bulb type. I just bought a replacement at the dealership.

If you want to try to find a bulb, it looks like it could be an 81, 82, 87, 88, 209 or 210. All looked like they have the same base as the OEM bulb type, and it looked like base would fit (though I opted not to try it). They all have slightly different sized glass housings than the OEM bulb though, either a little smaller or little bigger.

[Ben]

They are BA9s. I got some BA9 LEDs and they are really weak. The stock bulbs were brighter, surprisingly....

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by Ben

They are BA9s. I got some BA9 LEDs and they are really weak. The stock bulbs were brighter, surprisingly....

Ah, it that the bulb type? I couldn't find it the type anywhere, even the stock bulb didn't list the type on it as some bulbs do. I know I didn't see a BA9 on any autoparts stores when I replaced mine. I brought the stock bulb in and looked at everything they had (went to several places too). No one had a 100% matching bulb, though the base on several looked like it would fit.

I didn't feel like being a guinea pig testing the wrong bulb types though, so I just ordered one from the local dealership I have a wholesale account at (it didn't cost too much). Where did you find BA9 bulbs at (besides the dealership)? I'll have to keep my eyes pealed and see if any auto parts places have them and I missed them. Then again, maybe they are a special order item (as some odd type bulbs are).

[31337]

Originally Posted by Ben

They are BA9s. I got some BA9 LEDs and they are really weak. The stock bulbs were brighter, surprisingly....

Mine work fine, I just wanted to convert to LED's. I was wondering what style did you get? I found some that might work Super Bright LEDs - BA9S LED Bulbs I am looking at the BA9s-WHP6 model. What do you think?

[Ben]

Those high power BA9s are probably going to be a lot better than the plain BA9s I got from SBL. The one with the exposed circuit board has surface mount LEDs which are very bright. Those are new and weren't available when I ordered mine.

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by 31337

Mine work fine, I just wanted to convert to LED's. I was wondering what style did you get? I found some that might work Super Bright LEDs - BA9S LED Bulbs I am looking at the BA9s-WHP6 model. What do you think?

If you get the BA9s-WHP6 model BA9s Bulbs with High Power LEDs, let us know how they work out!! I'm interested to see if they are brighter than regular BA9's, and by how much.

BTW, Ben...thanks for shedding some light on the bulb type!!! Much appreicated

[31337]

Originally Posted by eckoman_pdx

If you get the BA9s-WHP6 model BA9s Bulbs with High Power LEDs, let us know how they work out!! I'm interested to see if they are brighter than regular BA9's, and by how much.

BTW, Ben...thanks for shedding some light on the bulb type!!! Much appreicated

Well the verdict is in, they are very very bright! Almost blindingly bright. However the UV LEDs behind the dash leave much to be desired. They look cool (a nice shade of purple) and the needles appear to be a nice shade of orange, but they are just not bright enough to be practical. I imagine if the numbers on the gauges were reactive to the UV it would work out great. I'll post a list of what LED's I've used and for what.