CLICK HERE TO REMOVE THESE ADVERTISEMENTS FOR FREE!
Cadillac
 

Cadillac Forums | Help Us Help You | Advertise | Cadillac Parts | Cadillac Images | Cadillac Store | Cadillac Classifieds

Cadillac Technical Archive | Cadillac Dealers | Cadillac Reviews | Cadillac Dealer Reviews | Cadillac Vendors | Home

Cadillac Owners Group  

Go Back   Cadillac Owners Group > Past Cadillac Vehicle Discussion > Cadillac Catera and Cimarron Forum

Cadillac Catera and Cimarron Forum Forum for discussions regarding the Catera and Cimarron.

Cadillac Forums: LED Bulb Conversion
Reply
 
LinkBack Cadillac Discussion Tools
  #16 (permalink)  
Old 04-01-08, 03:00 PM
Army_MP_From_MO's Avatar
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 1999 Cadillac Catera
View Army_MP_From_MO's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ft Bliss, Texas
Age: 37
Casino Cash: $5975
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

Remove this ad
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cadi Cat View Post
I got these from ebay. They really do illimunate the entire housing. It really looks awesome. You can also see the top layer leds in a circle but that even looks sweet. I only bought one to try it out because I was skeptical but I'm definatly buying one for the other side. I also have them in the reverse lights. Those are also really bright. I tried to take a piture but it's nothing but blur. Weird thing is though the brakelight led only works when the bulb it NOT anchored. So I gotta figure out how to keep it from vibrating out.


ARMY this may be your case. Try just setting the bulb in the socket not anchoring it in and see if it works. I just realized this out myself tonight by playing with it.
He's right they do look sweet!

I'm going to give that a try. It's a single connector so that sould be the correct bulb.

I just rewired it back to the original configuration, the original bulb lights up now. It sounded a little off the wall, but I gave it a try. (Mark that on off the list, doesn't work) I wonder if they changed the flasher in the 2000 from the one in 1999. I got mine off of Ebay too. The 57 LED was the largest I could find that I thought would fit. I eyed a spiderlite but I don't think it would fit the brake light housing.

Last edited by Army_MP_From_MO; 04-01-08 at 03:08 PM.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #17 (permalink)  
Old 04-01-08, 03:06 PM
Army_MP_From_MO's Avatar
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 1999 Cadillac Catera
View Army_MP_From_MO's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ft Bliss, Texas
Age: 37
Casino Cash: $5975
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cadi Cat View Post
Weird thing is though the brakelight led only works when the bulb it NOT anchored. So I gotta figure out how to keep it from vibrating out.
Rubber cement around the top of the socket?
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #18 (permalink)  
Old 04-01-08, 06:25 PM
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 2000 Catera
View Cadi Cat's Photo Album
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Michigan
Age: 25
Casino Cash: $4767
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

Quote:
Originally Posted by MichBiz View Post
Cadi Cat, what color did you buy? Some sites I see recommend the Red bulb and some recommend White. With Red I feel as if it might not be bright with the Red Tail Light lense but with White I think it might turn the color purple due to the bluish tint of the while LED. I might be crazy... HAHA!
I thought I read somewhere that they recommend which ever color your lens is. I bought red for the brakelights. They are just as bright as the regular bulbs but the color is much more vibrant. It really brings out that candy red color! For my reverse lights I bought the super high powered leds because they are smaller and the regular white led bulb was too large to fit in the housing. They are definatly high powered! They are brighter than the factory. Nice when I'm backing in the dark.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
SPONSORED CADILLAC ADVERTISEMENTS: (Supporting Members don't see these ads):
  #19 (permalink)  
Old 04-01-08, 07:07 PM
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 2000 Catera
View Cadi Cat's Photo Album
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Michigan
Age: 25
Casino Cash: $4767
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

Well here are some photos. It's the best I can come up with. But at least you can see that they really light up the entire housing.

Brakelight:



Running light:


The running light on the trunk lid is still a filiment bulb. I can't find an led to fit. But that doesn't really matter since it's just a running light. You can tell that there is less glare with the led.

Reverse Light:



How do I fix this? It's stays on while the car is on.



Hope this helps. This is the type of thing I enjoy doing so any questions I'm here to help. I put leds in the side markers too:

Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #20 (permalink)  
Old 04-01-08, 10:54 PM
Army_MP_From_MO's Avatar
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 1999 Cadillac Catera
View Army_MP_From_MO's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ft Bliss, Texas
Age: 37
Casino Cash: $5975
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

which brand side markers did you pick up?
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #21 (permalink)  
Old 04-02-08, 02:15 AM
Cadillac Owners Member
View kmcatera00's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Casino Cash: $785
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

Thanks for the pictures! They look like they match the high mount stop bar nicely. I am all bout making it look as close to a factory job as possible. I had thought about looking into having some LED pannels made for the brake/tail lights (like the turn signals) - but have no idea where to look, how much $$, who to go to, or if it is even possible.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #22 (permalink)  
Old 04-02-08, 08:34 PM
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 2000 Catera
View Cadi Cat's Photo Album
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Michigan
Age: 25
Casino Cash: $4767
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Army_MP_From_MO View Post
which brand side markers did you pick up?
I forget but they have them at autozone. That's where I picked them up at. They have Red and Amber
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #23 (permalink)  
Old 04-02-08, 08:37 PM
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 2000 Catera
View Cadi Cat's Photo Album
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Michigan
Age: 25
Casino Cash: $4767
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

Quote:
Originally Posted by kmcatera00 View Post
Thanks for the pictures! They look like they match the high mount stop bar nicely. I am all bout making it look as close to a factory job as possible. I had thought about looking into having some LED pannels made for the brake/tail lights (like the turn signals) - but have no idea where to look, how much $$, who to go to, or if it is even possible.
Yeah, I've been looking for those panels too. I've come up with nothing.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #24 (permalink)  
Old 04-03-08, 04:16 PM
eastsidercaddy's Avatar
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): '97 Black Catera
View eastsidercaddy's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Jacksonville NC
Age: 20
Casino Cash: $2980
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

I LOVE the LED conversion, especially since I changed the look of my rear tail lights a bit. I love hi-tech stuff that's cheap especially the LED. I got my LED Bulbs off of a chineses manufacturer that sells them at a decent price for ultra white 30 some odd LED bubls. I got 2 for around 32 dollars on eBay. Here's a pic of them just on RUNNING LIGHTS. It looks like brake lights.



also, depending on the number of LED's your red housing may look a little pinkinsh like mine since the LED's are around 1.5 times brighter on running mode. AND INSANELY bright when braking around 2 times brighter than filament. NEVER get the RED LED's they sell at autozone or advance auto. These are actually darker if you put them in your RED brake housing. RED+RED = DARK RED. ALWAYS get the ultra brite WHITE LEDS

Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #25 (permalink)  
Old 04-03-08, 09:19 PM
elvin315's Avatar
Cadillac Owners Enthusiast
Cadillac(s): Platinum 2001 Cadillac Catera Sport
View elvin315's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Catskill, NY
Age: 55
Casino Cash: $12126
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

Personally, I'll stay with incandescents. Those LEDs look too bright. I know I hate following a car that has a cracked tail light lens or the brake light switch shorted. Why do I want to antagonize the drivers behind me or attract unnecessary attention from the police?

Elvin

Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #26 (permalink)  
Old 04-04-08, 03:14 PM
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 1997 Catera
View lakesidepark's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Nashville TN
Casino Cash: $2747
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

well...you asked...the answer? cause police and other drivers are antagonized when a light doesn't work, and the incandescents fail on a regular basis. The LED will probably last the life of the car. And you don't HAVE to get the ultrabrights, you can get those that are just a bit brighter than incandescents. They also last the life of the car. If you do match the housing color, then a cracked lens wouldn't be an issue either.

My $0.02.

(maybe I should get back to work....)
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #27 (permalink)  
Old 04-18-08, 11:51 PM
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 2000 Catera
View Cadi Cat's Photo Album
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Michigan
Age: 25
Casino Cash: $4767
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

Quote:
Originally Posted by kmcatera00 View Post
Thanks for the pictures! They look like they match the high mount stop bar nicely. I am all bout making it look as close to a factory job as possible. I had thought about looking into having some LED pannels made for the brake/tail lights (like the turn signals) - but have no idea where to look, how much $$, who to go to, or if it is even possible.
Here, I found something you might be interested in. But you would have to tear apart the housing and glue them in or something. Nothing I want to do but the cord simply plugs into the factory socket so at least you won't have to rewire anything.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-RED...6473QQtcZphoto
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #28 (permalink)  
Old 04-21-08, 01:26 PM
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 1997 Catera
View lakesidepark's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Nashville TN
Casino Cash: $2747
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

Ok, I decided to try some LED bulbs for my brake / parking lights and my turn signals this weekend. On 97 Catera, it has this one plastic bulb mount for both bulbs in each lens. There is total of 4 wires running to the bulb mount: park, brake, turn, ground. This is what I found:
Brake / Park are the correct polarity in the socket. Plug and play (I think). More later on that.
Turn is OPPOSITE polarity in the socket. The common of the brake / park bulb (the shell) goes to the single pole of the turn bulb.
Since this is a solid piece of metal, the only way I see to properly reverse polarity is to cut the metal and solder the correct connections (simply swapping wires cannot work as the shell of one bulb and the center post of another bulb are using the same piece of metal??)

My third brake LED is not working. However I did not notice if it was working before I started. I did swap back to the original bulbs to eliminate the possibility that the LED bulb was causing a problem.

I have more investigation to do. SInce I didn't see anyone mention this, then...that is what i see, and if anyone else noted this problem with the socket polarity - can you enlighten me on how you corrected it? (97 thru 99 I assume, I didn't note any 2000 and newer having any issue).
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #29 (permalink)  
Old 04-21-08, 08:47 PM
Army_MP_From_MO's Avatar
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 1999 Cadillac Catera
View Army_MP_From_MO's Photo Album
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ft Bliss, Texas
Age: 37
Casino Cash: $5975
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

I got the same problems when I took advice to rewire the socket. That won't work. I've got a pair of resistors on the way that I've been informed will fix the problem. I'll keep ya updated. Wish me luck!
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #30 (permalink)  
Old 04-24-08, 12:23 AM
Cadillac Owners Fanatic
Cadillac(s): 2000 Catera
View Cadi Cat's Photo Album
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Michigan
Age: 25
Casino Cash: $4767
iTrader: (0)
Re: LED Bulb Conversion

In case anyone plans on putting leds in the instrument panel. Don't waste your time or money. they don't work. I'm guessing because of the dimmer switch. I couldn't get them to light.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply
Tags: , , ,


Bookmarks

Tags
bulb, conversion, led
SPONSORED CADILLAC ADVERTISEMENTS: (Supporting Members don't see these ads):


Cadillac Discussion Tools

Cadillac Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off
Censor is ON


» Cadillac Ads
My pledge to the Cadillac Owners community
strutmasters - the suspension experts
cadillac aftermarket products
cadillac aftermarket products
Superior Cadillac - Buy a Cadillac
Lindsay Cadillac
cadillac v-series
automotive concepts
Cadillac Tony
cadillac hid headlights
leather cleaner by leatherique
cadillac shop service manuals
cadillac amsoil
andys auto sport



remove this ad


Registered members do not see this advertisement. Registration is free. Click here to register and remove this advertisement.
cadillac magazine

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:46 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.3.2
cadillacforums.com and cadillacowners.com recognizes that "Cadillac", it's logos and various model names and numbers are registered trademarks of the General Motors Corporation. These terms are used for identification purposes only. cadillacforums.com and cadillacowners.com is not affiliated in any way with the General Motors Corporation, Cadillac or any other company listed herein. All information on this site is the opinion of its members and not the opinion of the site itself. ©2008 Madison Ross Media Group. All rights reserved. Content published on CadillacOwners.com or CadillacForums.com requires permission for reprint. Copyright information


One of the largest message boards on the web !
MADISON ROSS MEDIA GROUP MARKETPLACE
Need products for your Cadillac? Check out your options at the links below:

cadillac performance mufflers | cadillac performance exhaust systems | racing seats | cadillac euro tail lights | cadillac air intakes | cadillac projector headlights | cadillac ground effects | cadillac floor mats | cadillac escalade body kits, hoods and lambo doors | cadillac body kits | cadillac carbon fiber hoods | air suspension kits | air suspension parts | air ride suspension | hyundai genesis forum