replacing interior car lights with leds

hows it going? im new around here, i looked through the past post and used the search feature, i found some old threads with a similar question, but it was actually answered and has been inactive for about 9 months.....

Im replacing all of my wedge light bulbs (194) with LEDs, in a 2005 Supercharged Chevy monte carlo. I bought them off ebay for dirt cheap from Japan. But the ones that shine on my floor boards and the ones for the map lights keep on burning out. I only suspect that this happens because they are cheap EBAY leds. So are there any recommendations on what i should be looking for so i can get good quality, very bright 194 led replacements? im just looking for a bright white

weizie wrote:

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hows it going? im new around here, i looked through the past post and used the search feature, i found some old threads with a similar question, but it was actually answered and has been inactive for about 9 months.....

Im replacing all of my wedge light bulbs (194) with LEDs, in a 2005 Supercharged Chevy monte carlo. I bought them off ebay for dirt cheap from Japan. But the ones that shine on my floor boards and the ones for the map lights keep on burning out. I only suspect that this happens because they are cheap EBAY leds. So are there any recommendations on what i should be looking for so i can get good quality, very bright 194 led replacements? im just looking for a bright white

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i just realized i had a typo, the question WASN'T actually answered

Strange - I read it as "unanswered"....

It could be LED quality though I doubt it (esp Japan?).

Then again, I can't think what would cause them to blow except for over voltage.

Try adding a series diode...

oldspark wrote:

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Strange - I read it as "unanswered"....

It could be LED quality though I doubt it (esp Japan?).

Then again, I can't think what would cause them to blow except for over voltage.

Try adding a series diode...

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Thanx for the reply. I don't even know what a "series diode" is. I know, i know "what a newb". I am also looking for much brighter LEDS. the current ones just don't seem to light the interior well at all and that's with 2 map lights, 2 floor lights, and a big dome light. I was thinking about getting 194 bases and buying some "good quality" leds and making my own. Any suggestions?

Search. It's been done before.


A series diode is merely a LED that doesn't light that is connected in line with the LEDs. I suggested it for a slight voltage drop and better reverse voltage protection.

yeah i have been looking around the forum and i cant seem to find anything like that. Then again im probably looking in the wrong place. any idea where i can find this information?

i honestly don't know where to even buy the stuff i would need to pull this off. and i know im going to need to make around 10 194 leds.....i need the LEDs to cover wide areas and be very bright at the same time. Should i be looking for high MCD, high LM, or both?

I meant google etc.

EG - first for 194 wedge leds superbrightleds.com Fmini-wedge

got ya, i have been looking around google for days. i appreciate the link, but a guy i work with buys from superbright, and to me they just dont look bright enough. thats why i was thinking about just making my own with some very bright leds

You can do that too, but it's difficult fabricating into bases.
Easiest for wedgies is probably on a PCB - there were kits somewhere (Jaycar?).

Otherwise bypass the lot - maybe use SMD LEDs or LED strings etc.   


I agree though about lack of LED brightness in general, yet IMO they are "too intense" as front parking lights. (I await regulatory changes when they become more common.)

here is a great sight to buy all leds i would normally make them my self to make sure i can get the correct brightness i want

www.autolumination.com