Hey guys & gals. I have two questions. Anyone ever changed the factory switch for the interior lights [dealer installed ]. I didn't actually request the lights, but after waiting 3 mo. for my box and seeing that they were installed, I said to hell with it. I would like to but a better switch in, but have never done anything like that. If anyone has a DIY on that. I would greatly appreciate it. I have an idea on how to do it, but would like reassurance. Also, does anyone know if they sell different colored bulbs for the OEM cold cathode kit? I have blue, but would like to be able to change it in the future it it's possible.

Thanks for the help!

 

i havnt replaced any switches but i would like to get some of the factory switches...so if you do a swap let me know...i could use them...as for the cathodes i do not think that the bulbs can be changed...you have to buy a whole new kit...somebody correct me if i'm wrong

 

If/when I change the switch, I'll let you know. Just curious, what would you want the factory switch for?

 

OK 2 things here:

First, yes you can change the switch. It's just a boring switch, no different from what you'd get with some computer cathodes. I believe randode has a switch that fits into the space under the ashtray.

However, I beleive the dealer drills a hole in the center console to install the switch, so you might not want to go changing it. It's up to you.

Second, the factory illumination is LED, not cold cathode. They're not even good LED tubes. Good LED tubes have about 12-15 LEDs in them, the stock ones have 2. Cold cathodes are like flourescent lights and are much brighter than the dealer option lights.

 

Thank you for clearing up my light confussion. I didn't even want the damn lights, but they shipped my car to me with them. I wanted randode's cold cathodes. Whole lot cheaper and better looking. I plan on putting a better switch where the existing one is. I realize there is a hole there and plan to just cut a bigger whole. I'm just unsure of the wiring. Do you know anything about that? Also, since you seem to know enough about the stock lights, can their color be changed easily, or should I sell the crap and buy randode's kit?

 

It's actually REALLY easy to change that switch, I did it in my xA a few weeks ago.

I don't know how it works in the xB but in the xA you have to remove the screw in the bottom of the rear cupholder, remove the plastic cover under the parking brake and the pull up on the front of the cup holders to remove 2 tabs connecting it to the floor. Then the whole thing lifts up and you can replace the switch.

The switch is just a standard rocker interupting the positive line from the cigarette lighter.

I didn't make the hole any bigger, I just found a nicer switch that was the same size.

Hope that helps, sorry I don't have any pic's.

 

Awesome! So it's just a feed from the cig lighter. Sounds easy enough. I just didn't want to pull it apart and find something I couldn't do underneath there. I plan on putting one of those jet fighter looking switches down there. I don't know what they are called. Thanks for the tip. Does anyone know about changing the stock floor lighting color?

 

that would be a safety switch.

i just changed out my lights. i left the factory stuff there just replaced the bulbs to ccl.
the old (led) set up sent 12v to the bulb so i just put the ccl inverter next to the bulb.

 

Sorry, not to be a moron, but I'm not sure what you mean. Please speak tardaneese so I can understand you. I'm not a big techie on the auto stuff. Trying to learn.

 

if you plan on putting in new lights (cold cathode lighting ...ccl), they have a little box(inverter, changes the voltage from 12v to about 650 volts).

because the option lights you got were L.E.D.'s and use 12 volts, you can just tap-in the ccl light inverter where the L.E.D bulbs are. then take out the L.E.D. bulbs and put the ccl lights in their place.

you do not need to rewire the whole thing to upgrade the lighting.

 

Do you have or know where to get instructions (with pics if possible) on how to do this? I want ccl, and have found a site discussed on this forum to get the stuff pretty cheap. I just don't really know how to do all that.