How to Change Front Map Lights.

You did not say if you have the moonroof or not. I have the 3, ATP, moonroof. Moonroof maplight assembly is different than non-moonroof, and you must remove the bezel first, then the clear plastic lenses. After that, the old bulbs pull straight out. Be careful not to twist the socket, or it will pull through the assembly. Just be careful when prying bezel and lenses, and go slowly. The final result is worth the effort. White LED's look so much better than the stock incandescent, are more energy efficient, and they run cool.

 

Aftermarket Prius fog light kit

 

I have moon roof. It looked like the whole assembly comes out, based on the picture on page one of this thread of the 4 with moon roof. I can have another go at it if you say just the bezel comes off then lenses. Is socket going to stay where it is when I put new bulb in? I think you had mentioned the prospect of it flying up into the headliner.

 

I tried, but I could not get the entire assembly out in one piece, which would have been easier. So, the bezel pried off first, then the lenses. The sockets will stay in place unless you twist them 1/4 turn when pulling the original bulb out. The socket has a "bayonet" base that secures it to the map light assembly. Just pull the bulbs straight out without twisting the base and you'll be fine. The bulbs are held pretty tightly in the sockets, and they were slippery, making them hard to grasp with my fingers. I put on a neoprene surgical glove, which gave me a better grip that allowed me to easily pull out the bulbs and insert the new LEDs.

 

Is this just a "cool factor" thing, or do you you guys really use those lights that often?

I think I've actually used my "map lights" about 2 times, in the last 20 years. Maybe to look for french fries I dropped. And the stock lights are bright enough.

 

Coolness factor, existing map lights are adequate in my opinion, but its very low effort easy thing to do.

The glove box light I also changed I think is functional, the existing single orange led isn't bright enough.

 

I love the LED upgrades. Have not done the glove compartment though.

 

Is there a light in the glove box??? Do the little mice need a light or something to go to the bathroom? LOL

Forget the little map lights and interior lights. I want BIGGER and brighter BRAKE lights!

 

It makes a huge difference in the trunk. What kills me is why they didn't put a switch on the tailgate to turn the light on when you open it. Having to press the switch to turn it on is pretty low tech.

 

Not sure what your asking for.... if you leave the trunk light on the on position it will auto turn off and on when u close and open the trunk.

 

Thanks, I did not know that. Don't know why it has the on off switch if it's triggered by opening the hatchback.

 

...to give you the option of not having the light come on when you're unloading the body from the trunk.

 

Last car I had when I was buying I told the salesman "trunk is huge, I bet you could put a body in there." Then I asked him if he'd mine hopping in for me. He was speechless, to say the least. Great way to derail their scripted game plan for selling you a car.

 

I wish I had seen these pictures first, I definitely recommend getting some plastic car pry bars, I had some dinky ones from cell phone repair kits which did not work as they didn't give enough leverage.

I also believe toyota's official instructions are to pop them via the clips and not trying to get the bezels off.

 

Intact is the easy way.

 

My finger tips wish their owner knew this earlier...

 

Tried it the other day, still not sure what I'm doing wrong. Rather than fubar the headliner I'll see what the dealer charges and if they'd put my bulbs in.

 

Website said 200 but who paid for the shipping. Thx

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

A special thanks to tahlpaul for his excellent photos and explanation on how to change the map lights on a Gen 4 FOUR. Allowed me to replace the map lights in my 2016 FOUR, which without these photos I probably would not have attempted.

I wanted LED lamps that are white, but not blue-ish white, and I found these lamps from Amazon to be just right for me:
Zone Tech LED 194 Warm White 12V DC/AC 1407WW

 

Any chance of getting a link to those photos please? They are exactly what I'm looking for, but they appear to have been removed. Mine show us with big red Xs. Thanks for any help you can give.