Can you replace map lights in the rear view mirror?

NickarendPDX

NickarendPDX

Member
Hey all, looking to see if anyone has successfully replaced the 2 LED's that are soldered to to circuit board found inside the rear view mirror. I've replaced all the lights in my JK as well as added some to the footwell and under rear seats. Everything is a nice crisp 5500k white, except for the 2 lights shining down from the rear view.

I've attempted to swap these out, but I think I overheated the circuit board. Taking the circuit board out is the easy part. Then you have to break off the black cover which is the chrome directional housing plate for those lights. Once I had full access to the lights, I simply assumed I could use my Solder gun to heat up the solder and take the old off, replace with the new. Looks like the lights might be welded on and not just soldered, I'm not sure. What I do know is my impatience got the better of me and I ended up scraping the LED off the circuit board. This at least took off the light and whatever was holding it in place because I could now see the 2 contact points. I soldered one on, but no luck. Thought maybe I had negative and positive wrong so I flipped it. After plugging the circuit back in to test, neither the old LED (left, untouched side) or the new one would turn on. Which is why I think I overheated everything.

I called a computer repair shop to see if it's something they would work on, but he said it's most likely welded and therefore not replaceable.

I've just purchased a used rear view mirror to replace the broken circuit and thinking perhaps it's just a no go. But wanted to see if anyone has had success with replacing these 2 little buggers.
 
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The ones on the bottom? Do you use them that much to need them to match? It’s not easy I left mine alone and just replaced everything else. I have used those lights exactly never in 13 years of owning JK’s.
 
They are map lights. They aren't supposed to be bright or white. If you must replace them, it can be done, but it's not a job for a novice.
 
OverlanderJK said:
The ones on the bottom? Do you use them that much to need them to match? It’s not easy I left mine alone and just replaced everything else. I have used those lights exactly never in 13 years of owning JK’s.
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I don't use them much, however when I unlock the doors with the Key fob, they turn on automatically and it's the first thing I see. everything else in the vehicle is a 6000k light color and those two map lights stick out, and I hate it. I have changed out the map lights in every one of my vehicles, so not being able to do these is bothering me.
 
Spazbyt said:
They are map lights. They aren't supposed to be bright or white. If you must replace them, it can be done, but it's not a job for a novice.
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I understand that and realize that changing them is hardly necessary. But it is something I really want to do. I've changed out the map lights in all my other vehicles. The Jeep has all other interior lights changed out, so I'd really like to figure out a way to make this happen.
 
NickarendPDX said:
I don't use them much, however when I unlock the doors with the Key fob, they turn on automatically and it's the first thing I see. everything else in the vehicle is a 6000k light color and those two map lights stick out, and I hate it. I have changed out the map lights in every one of my vehicles, so not being able to do these is bothering me.
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I’d put more effort into other items than lights… shouldn’t be that big of a deal unless you’re in the lighting business
 
NickarendPDX said:
I don't use them much, however when I unlock the doors with the Key fob, they turn on automatically and it's the first thing I see. everything else in the vehicle is a 6000k light color and those two map lights stick out, and I hate it. I have changed out the map lights in every one of my vehicles, so not being able to do these is bothering me.
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Stick a piece of electrical tape over them.
 
Jsouder53 said:
I’d put more effort into other items than lights… shouldn’t be that big of a deal unless you’re in the lighting business
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My Jeep is essentially done up with all the things I would want to do to it. It's not that big of deal and I'm aware it isn't necessary, but it is something I'd still like to do.
 
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