Gen IV Bulb replacement

[ChrisGT]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me how to access the bulb(s) in the centre high mount stop light and also the license plate bulbs-for a GEN IV sedan.

cheers
Chris

[Ric]

I guess you looked on pages 11-62 and 11-65, where it says:

It may be difficult to replace the bulbs. We recommend that you have your Subaru dealer replace the bulbs if necessry

[tangcla]

License plate bulbs are 2x T10

Highmount is 1x T20

I have an interesting idea for the highmount stop lamp, with two (or maybe more) LED strips...

nah, just gonna get an LED globe. Too much hard work.

[ChrisGT]

Ric,

thanks for that, yes I did read that in the manual but I thought I'd have a go if someone could point me in the right direction

tangcla,

Yeah going for the led changeover.

[tangcla]

The license plate lights are a nuisance because you have to take the trim off first.

The highmount is easy, just push

[gumbyy]

Has anybody here changed their license plate lights to LED? I have and the light output is astoundingly CRAP! is it just me? I've noticed it is because of 2 factors:

1. The bulb direction is diagonal and the full light beam doesn't shine directly onto the plate
2. The license plate cover is made of frosted plastic, as opposed to clear, so not all of the light is shined through.

Here is a pic of what I want it to look like. Anybody else's LED's look like this?

[tangcla]

That's normal. No matter how 'wide angle' LED globes are, they still have a very tight light beam. Incandescent globes are true omnidirectional.

[ChrisGT]

I've now changed out the license plate lights with LED units. I used the SMT type from autolumination. The result is as in gumbyy's post. I found the best way to get to these is to remove plastic clips along the rear of the boot lid lining-closest to window and the clips that run along the sides. No need to do the front ones, you can reach in easily enough and remove/install the globe. Those clips need a bit of persuasion to remove but hand force only should suffice.

http://autolumination.com/194.htm

Found the SMT type led replacements are the only ones that get close to the brightness of the OEM filament globes.

[tangcla]

The unevenness is the reason that the rear license plate lights are the only white exterior globes I have which are not LED.

Indicators are also not LED due to the fact that a) it will throw out the relay, and b) be inconsistent in light.

LED brake lights are hot

[ChrisGT]

While I was fitting the brake leds, I mucked around with the indicator circuit. I think this circuit is set up to see a certain amount of electrical resistance so you can tell if a globe blows. With an LED replacement installed, the indicator flashes real quick. Maybe some sort of dummy load in parallel with the indicator might get it to flash at a normal rate unless the LED equivalent comes with one installed, I was just using the brake LED to test. I'm leaving the indicators for the time being.
The OEM reversing lamps are more effective for their purpose but don't look as good as the LEDs.
Changed the parking globes to LEDs. Driver's side, just remove the air intake(2 plastic screws), remove the rear cover of the main beam projector and you should be able to get access to the parking globe. Passenger side, released the battery stay and moved the battery aside a few inches, removed the cover of the main projector and go to the globe. Tight squeeze though. Took about 5 minutes.
(Jan 2008) Super Autobacs Tokyo Bay had an led indicator kit for roughly A$170, included a load to get the flash rate right.

[tangcla]

While I was fitting the brake leds, I mucked around with the indicator circuit. I think this circuit is set up to see a certain amount of electrical resistance so you can tell if a globe blows. With an LED replacement installed, the indicator flashes real quick. Maybe some sort of dummy load in parallel with the indicator might get it to flash at a normal rate unless the LED equivalent comes with one installed, I was just using the brake LED to test. I'm leaving the indicators for the time being.
The OEM reversing lamps are more effective for their purpose but don't look as good as the LEDs

This is normal for almost all cars, LED indicators will need a load resistor for the indicators not to blink fast.

Reverse lights, yes, they don't make T15 LED globes that are multidirectional.