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Size of interior cabin light bulbs?

18519 Views 28 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  GregBrew
Anyone know the size of the interior light bulbs? They are incandescent (yuck), so I want to swap them out with LED replacements. That's what I did with my 2012 Volt (2017 Volt came from the factory with LED interior light bulbs). Pretty sure I need to swap out the hatch light too. Thanks in advance.
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It's not listed in the owner's manual so you may have to ask your dealership. All I could find was the bulb numbers for the exterior lamps like Back-Up Lamps, License Plate Lamp, etc.
I suspect they are incandescent because the interior courtesy lights often have a dimming feature when they turn on and off automatically. To dim LEDs, you need a special dimmer that uses pulse width modulation and to mimic the smooth dimming curve of an incandescent, you need a pretty good one. GM went incandescent to save money and frankly, to increase reliability.

I suspect if you swap out the bulbs with LED, you will lose the dimming feature if that matters to you.
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I suspect they are incandescent because the interior courtesy lights often have a dimming feature when they turn on and off automatically. To dim LEDs, you need a special dimmer that uses pulse width modulation and to mimic the smooth dimming curve of an incandescent, you need a pretty good one. GM went incandescent to save money and frankly, to increase reliability.

I suspect if you swap out the bulbs with LED, you will lose the dimming feature if that matters to you.
Dimming doesn't really matter. The Gen 2 Volt has LED interior cabin lights, and they are just fine.

I wonder if they are the same size....only 1 way to find out I guess.
Dimming doesn't really matter. The Gen 2 Volt has LED interior cabin lights, and they are just fine.

I wonder if they are the same size....only 1 way to find out I guess.
I'm sure you can swap the bulbs. Take out the OEM bulbs, see what they say on them and then go to superbrightleds.com for a drop in replacement. Not sure what will happen when the car's dimmer kicks in, I doubt there will be any dimming, but I wonder long term about the electronics in the bulbs and in the dimmer. Sometimes this stuff fights each other and over time the weaker one fails.
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I'm sure you can swap the bulbs. Take out the OEM bulbs, see what they say on them and then go to superbrightleds.com for a drop in replacement. Not sure what will happen when the car's dimmer kicks in, I doubt there will be any dimming, but I wonder long term about the electronics in the bulbs and in the dimmer. Sometimes this stuff fights each other and over time the weaker one fails.
In my Volts, they dim maybe halfway, then just turn off. One drawback to LEDs, but I'll take it. That pale, yellow color of incandescents.....yuck.
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In my Volts, they dim maybe halfway, then just turn off. One drawback to LEDs, but I'll take it. That pale, yellow color of incandescents.....yuck.
You know if it's just the color temperature you don't like, you can stick a little piece of Full Color Temperature Blue gel (commonly called CTB) in there and it will shift the light blue. You will lose a some intensity though. Cheap fix because I can send you some full CTB for free.
Dimming doesn't really matter. The Gen 2 Volt has LED interior cabin lights, and they are just fine.

I wonder if they are the same size....only 1 way to find out I guess.
An easy way to find out is to call up your local Chevy dealer and ask to speak with the parts department. Those guys should be able to provide you with the part numbers and maybe go a step further to describe it. Always easier to make a phone call ;)
Hatch light replaced. Same size as the Volt's hatch light.

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Is it brighter and whiter? Like it better? Planning to do the dome light in the cabin?
Is it brighter and whiter? Like it better? Planning to do the dome light in the cabin?
MUCH brighter. Light is 5k white.
What are the specs on the LED bulb.. I was disappointed in how low and dull the stock light was in the back.
What are the specs on the LED bulb.. I was disappointed in how low and dull the stock light was in the back.
Here's the Bolt's stock hatch bulb, and what LED replacement would fit. Needs to be a T10 base.

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So I yanked off the cover for the rear dome lights...seems the bulbs are the same as the hatch bulb (T10 base). Unlike the hatch bulb, you'll need LEDs that shoot the light downwards versus off to the side like with the hatch LED bulb.

I'm still not 100% sure how to take off the covers for the front dome lights. I may just swing by my local dealer, go "Hey guys, want to check out the car you won't be getting for another few weeks?? btw, can you tell me how to remove the front dome light cover?"

These would definitely fit the rear light housing:

http://www.vleds.com/194-4-ll.html
Assuming the front bulbs are the same, they should work for those too. Bit pricey though at $10/bulb. That'd be 5 total bulbs to replace all dome lights + the hatch.
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I "gently" pried the map light cover off...was very afraid was going to break it, but fortunately did not. The regular bulbs look like they may be difficult to remove easily unless you have some needle nose pliers. And if you break the clips on the cover, you may be out of luck until you can get a replacement from GM. So I again "gently put the cover back and left it alone for now. There are no instructions in the user manual for exactly what is the best way to remove those tricky little covers without damage.
Interior LED lights installed

:)I replaced the four cabin interior lights and the one light in the hatch with these LED lights made by Pilot and sold by Wal*Mart. They come two to a pack for a little over nine dollars. You will need three packs if you do the hatch light. You have to remove the front overhead panel above the driver. Make sure the overhead light switch is off. Panel is held in place with four clips. Take your two hands and grasp the rear section of the panel, gently pulling down while pushing forward with your two thumbs. You should be able to lower the back section and then pull towards you releasing the front. No need to remove the electrical connector or speaker wire. You'll see the two factory bulbs. They are almost impossible to pull out with your fingers. I used a small pair of needle nose pliers. Once the original bulbs are out, install the new ones, firming pushing then into place. Test to ensure that both LEDs light prior to reinstalling the overhead panel. The rear overhead light cover come off from the light assembly. Grasp the rear section and gently pull it down and loose and remove the cover. You'll have access to the two factory bulbs. Make sure the front overhead light switch is off. Replace with the LEDs, test, and reinstall the cover. The rear hatch light is easy. Take a small flat tip screwdriver and remove the clear lens. The electrical connector can be removed by pushing the tab on the side. Replace the factory light with the LED and reinstall.

Several notes, most automotive stores as well as Wal*Mart sells all types of LED replacement lights. you're looking for 194, also fits 168 & 2825. Key number is 194. The lights I chose are 5 LEDs per light, which is small enough to fit with the lens cover back on. LEDs are bright, too many LED per light and the inside of the car will be too bright. I'm happy with the beautiful, bright, pure white light these LEDs provide. Biggest positive, the LEDs turn on and off like the factory lights, dim to full brightness and the reverse when shutting off. I'm very pleased.

I had problems posting multiple pictures, so I've only included the pic of the LED package for reference.

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There are plenty of options for LED bulb replacement: You can get brighter and warm to cool white color as well as smooth dimming options, just make sure you do your homework, here are a couple of good online resources:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/
http://www.autolumination.com/
How many LED's do I need to do the interior. Has anyone changed out the license plate bulbs?
How many LED's do I need to do the interior. Has anyone changed out the license plate bulbs?
:)Four interior (2 lights x2), rear hatch light x1
:)Four interior (2 lights x2), rear hatch light x1

I was talking about the license plate bulbs?
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