License Plate Lights
04-09-2007, 06:42 PM
#1
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License Plate Lights
After putting the the red/clears and clear bumper lights this weekend, i noticed that one of my license plate bulbs is out. I went to unscrew the screw, and due to 8 long winters, the bolt began to crumble.
I was able to stop so that the light housing is still there but I want to replace the bulb. I know its an 194 bulb and i was wondering if anyone knew what size the screws are so that I can get new screws before attempting this project.
I remember a post a few months ago about someone with the same problem...I think that I will be able to save getting a new bracket because I only need the screws. Anyone who knows what size they are thanks a ton!
I was able to stop so that the light housing is still there but I want to replace the bulb. I know its an 194 bulb and i was wondering if anyone knew what size the screws are so that I can get new screws before attempting this project.
I remember a post a few months ago about someone with the same problem...I think that I will be able to save getting a new bracket because I only need the screws. Anyone who knows what size they are thanks a ton!
04-09-2007, 07:26 PM
#5
Originally Posted by magic_max
make sure you buy stainless steal if you want them to last. Cres 304 should last almost forever.
It's stainless steel, not steal as in thief...lol
I used self tapping screws to secure mine...
tho
04-09-2007, 07:36 PM
#7
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Originally Posted by Neo Raven456
If no one replies, take out the other one, go to a shop, buy two new screws.
04-09-2007, 07:40 PM
#8
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Originally Posted by tbombs32
i had the whole plate corrode out. my mechanic got one for about $20 w/ new screws not sure from where tho.
04-10-2007, 07:12 AM
#9
http://designengineering.com/products.asp?m=sc&cid=5
DEI "lite-N-botz"
Sorry no night pic, still working on getting a digi.
These took me about 10 minutes to install and are great. I bought the domed ones. They look good, work well, and eliminated that whole bracket that rusted off. They provide plenty of light to the plate and I have had no problems.I will be replacing the whole rear imp. bar this summer. Mine is rusted out bad from 9 years of Ohio winters. The license light bracket was just a stepping stone for the corrosion. These helped buy some time instead of replacing the light bracket and the bar.
DEI "lite-N-botz"
Sorry no night pic, still working on getting a digi.
These took me about 10 minutes to install and are great. I bought the domed ones. They look good, work well, and eliminated that whole bracket that rusted off. They provide plenty of light to the plate and I have had no problems.I will be replacing the whole rear imp. bar this summer. Mine is rusted out bad from 9 years of Ohio winters. The license light bracket was just a stepping stone for the corrosion. These helped buy some time instead of replacing the light bracket and the bar.
04-10-2007, 07:19 AM
#10
I posted about the same issue a few months ago, except I had the screws and the entire bracket crumble in my hands. Gotta love winters in the NE!
I ended up buying a few extra harnesses w/ bulb holders from local JY's and did some experimenting.
For a temporary solution, I dremeled the bulb holders open, replaced both bulbs and used some silicone to reseal them. I then wedged the bulb holders sideways in between the plate and the bumper. While it was not attractive in the slightest, it did it's job and got me through the winter.
While I was using that one, I played around with another one of my spare harnesses. I ordered a 9" flexible white LED strip from here. I then cut off the bulb holders and soldered the leads from the LED strip to the harness (with a 12v voltage regulator in between for good measure).
For mounting, I used some double sided tape on the LED strip and mounted it to the inside of the bumper cover, angled down towards the license plate. So far it's working great. Now it's making me realize I need HID's though; after looking at the light produced by the LED's it makes my headlights look Big Bird yellow. haha
You can't actually see the light strip, my camera just doesn't know what the F to do with reflections. It was kind of a stupid little mod, but ah well. Got some practice with the soldering iron!
I ended up buying a few extra harnesses w/ bulb holders from local JY's and did some experimenting.
For a temporary solution, I dremeled the bulb holders open, replaced both bulbs and used some silicone to reseal them. I then wedged the bulb holders sideways in between the plate and the bumper. While it was not attractive in the slightest, it did it's job and got me through the winter.
While I was using that one, I played around with another one of my spare harnesses. I ordered a 9" flexible white LED strip from here. I then cut off the bulb holders and soldered the leads from the LED strip to the harness (with a 12v voltage regulator in between for good measure).
For mounting, I used some double sided tape on the LED strip and mounted it to the inside of the bumper cover, angled down towards the license plate. So far it's working great. Now it's making me realize I need HID's though; after looking at the light produced by the LED's it makes my headlights look Big Bird yellow. haha
You can't actually see the light strip, my camera just doesn't know what the F to do with reflections. It was kind of a stupid little mod, but ah well. Got some practice with the soldering iron!
04-10-2007, 09:20 AM
#11
I went to change the lights too, and the screws were so rusted that they just stripped as soon as I tried turning them. I actually ended up taking my dremel's cutting bit and going straight through the center of the screw, essentially making it a flathead....grabbed a screwdriver and it came right out, since the metal underneath was still fine. The salt on the surface must have murdered it.
04-10-2007, 05:36 PM
#13
Originally Posted by nearthisbridge
While I was using that one, I played around with another one of my spare harnesses. I ordered a 9" flexible white LED strip from here. I then cut off the bulb holders and soldered the leads from the LED strip to the harness (with a 12v voltage regulator in between for good measure).
For mounting, I used some double sided tape on the LED strip and mounted it to the inside of the bumper cover, angled down towards the license plate. So far it's working great. Now it's making me realize I need HID's though; after looking at the light produced by the LED's it makes my headlights look Big Bird yellow. haha
You can't actually see the light strip, my camera just doesn't know what the F to do with reflections. It was kind of a stupid little mod, but ah well. Got some practice with the soldering iron!
For mounting, I used some double sided tape on the LED strip and mounted it to the inside of the bumper cover, angled down towards the license plate. So far it's working great. Now it's making me realize I need HID's though; after looking at the light produced by the LED's it makes my headlights look Big Bird yellow. haha
You can't actually see the light strip, my camera just doesn't know what the F to do with reflections. It was kind of a stupid little mod, but ah well. Got some practice with the soldering iron!
Oh yeah, for anyone considering buying a new OEM bracket, don't. I paid about $30 from a discount online Nissan parts dealer (would cost more at your local dealer) and that only included the flimsy metal bracket, none of the attached pieces! Complete waste of money and time.
04-10-2007, 05:41 PM
#14
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Originally Posted by VQuick
Wow, thanks for posting! What you did with the Oznium LED strip is exactly what I've had in mind for a few months now. It's good to hear that someone's done it successfully. Do you have any other tips/photos for the install or a writeup?
Oh yeah, for anyone considering buying a new OEM bracket, don't. I paid about $30 from a discount online Nissan parts dealer (would cost more at your local dealer) and that only included the flimsy metal bracket, none of the attached pieces! Complete waste of money and time.
Oh yeah, for anyone considering buying a new OEM bracket, don't. I paid about $30 from a discount online Nissan parts dealer (would cost more at your local dealer) and that only included the flimsy metal bracket, none of the attached pieces! Complete waste of money and time.
on what parts dealer did u go online i need this part
04-10-2007, 05:57 PM
#17
Originally Posted by VQuick
Wow, thanks for posting! What you did with the Oznium LED strip is exactly what I've had in mind for a few months now. It's good to hear that someone's done it successfully. Do you have any other tips/photos for the install or a writeup?
Oh yeah, for anyone considering buying a new OEM bracket, don't. I paid about $30 from a discount online Nissan parts dealer (would cost more at your local dealer) and that only included the flimsy metal bracket, none of the attached pieces! Complete waste of money and time.
Oh yeah, for anyone considering buying a new OEM bracket, don't. I paid about $30 from a discount online Nissan parts dealer (would cost more at your local dealer) and that only included the flimsy metal bracket, none of the attached pieces! Complete waste of money and time.
I didn't really think to document the process, I do still have a spare harness I could use though...give me a day or two to work out my starting problem (let's hope it's the magical grounding issue!) and I'll whip something up.
04-10-2007, 06:03 PM
#18
Ah, I thought that might have been you. Well thanks anyway, now I just need to find time to do it myself. No worries, you gave a pretty good description already. A couple of close of photos would be great, if you have time.
Can you buy the 12V voltage regulator at RadioShack or where?
Can you buy the 12V voltage regulator at RadioShack or where?
04-11-2007, 05:29 AM
#19
I had the same problem, but my wires and bulb housings were good, so i just made a new one at work while running my machine, drill and tapped some holes, used some other screws to hold the lights in and put it all in place by lunch. It wasn't the prettiest setup outside the car, but the second i put it back in It looked stock.
I'll draw a diagram up for those of you that want to make some, or if someone has a perfectly good working one that would like to photograph and measure for all of us, that would be much appreciated.
I'll draw a diagram up for those of you that want to make some, or if someone has a perfectly good working one that would like to photograph and measure for all of us, that would be much appreciated.
04-14-2007, 05:28 PM
#21
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Not yet...I went to the dealer yesterday to get the part number...and I am in the process of finding the right size. I may just take the screw out and bring the remnants of the screw to the hardware store and get a new one.
I would like to do a LED strip or some "ultra-white" light for the license plate lights, its just I have no other LED's or HIDs on my car so it would look odd.
I was hoping to do it sometime this week (spring break week) but its friggin rain for the next 6 days in Boston.
I'll prob just pull it into the garage and do it in there tho along with putting in my new intake
I would like to do a LED strip or some "ultra-white" light for the license plate lights, its just I have no other LED's or HIDs on my car so it would look odd.
I was hoping to do it sometime this week (spring break week) but its friggin rain for the next 6 days in Boston.
I'll prob just pull it into the garage and do it in there tho along with putting in my new intake
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