The Headlight, Fog Light, and Tail Light LED Bulb Replacement Thread

[RB-Reyns]

I have modded all of my interior lights with LED bulbs and they look great! Yesterday I did my license plate lights and they look amazing, but those are the first exterior lights I've done. I have combed through the board looking for what led bulbs to use for the rest of the exterior lighting but there is conflicting information and most of the threads are outdated.

I want to compile a list of what type of bulbs need to go where, what needs load resistors, ect. Any help is appreciated. Having all this information in one thread would be a big help for anyone try to figure this out.

Headlights​

1. High and low beams

Don't have much info for this aside from this thread http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/exterior-modifications/15651-led-headlight-install.html

These particular bulbs are pretty expensive, wondering if anyone else has an alternative bulb for these? Also wondering if you need load resistors on these to prevent codes or any anomalies with the lights?

2. Turn Signal

There is a very good thread for these bulbs http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/exterior-modifications/6386-led-turn-signal-bulb.html

Looks like 7444 of whatever brand will work. Switchbacks seems like a nice option (Stay white when not using turn signal, flash amber when turn signal is activated)

These will require a load resistor to prevent the no bulb detected code and extremely fast flashing.

3. Parking lights

Here is a good instructional video on how to change the parking light bulbs. Parking Light Change 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT 1.8L 4 Cyl. Sedan

As far as what bulbs to purchase I can't find much information. Would these be the same as the high/low and fog?

Fog Lights​

Assuming these are identical bulbs to what the high and low beams take?

This thread has instructions on changing the bulbs and mentions H11 bulbs. Tried googling those and didn't get many results for H11 led.
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/do-yourself-articles/877-fog-light-bulb-replacement.html

Tail Lights​

These bulbs are simple to get to and replace. Open the trunk and you will see two screws holding the taillight assembly on. Unscrew them and pull the entire assembly towards you, it should come right out and give you plenty of room to swap bulbs.

1. Brake lights

This is one of the only threads I can find on this http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/pictures-videos/6546-new-led-spider-tail-light-bulbs.html

Those bulbs are an acquired taste, not sure what regular led bulb would replace those and whether or not they would need load resistors.

2. Turn Signals

Identical bulbs and setup to the front turn signals. 7444 bulbs that will require load resistors.

3.Back up/ reverse lights

This thread is the best I could find, has the important info http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/exterior-modifications/8950-led-reverse-lights.html

Looks like 3157 bulbs are the answer here, but I can't say whether they will fit or if they need load resistors. Here's the 3157's superbrightleds.com have available https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/tail-brake-turn/filter/Cross_Reference_Number,3157,21,199:

License Plate Lights​

I did these myself yesterday. The led bulbs you need are 2825's. I went to O'Reilly's and picked up a $13 pair and they look great.

To change them you get a flathead screwdriver and pry out the rectangular plastic piece on the bottom of the chrome trunk trim piece. One side is spring loaded and should pop right out, mine both happened to be on the right side, but it depends on how they were installed. If one side doesn't work just try the other.

This is the thread I used to figure it out http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...6116-removing-sedan-license-plate-lights.html


Please post if you have some of the information I am missing and I will update the main post. I will post pics of the lights I do. License plate light pics will be posted tonight

 

[JackGSonic]

Only the blinkers need the load resistors, oddly. Though for me the 'bulb out' code and hyperblink don't really bother me much. I've done front blinkers (switchbacks), rear blinkers, and reverse lights. Interior lights are LED as well.

Would be cool to figure out the rewiring needed to get the rear blinkers (hatchback) to function as a red/amber switchback. Giving full circle red running lights in the back. There are red/amber switchback bulbs, so that part is easy.

 

[RB-Reyns]

Only the blinkers need the load resistors, oddly. Though for me the 'bulb out' code and hyperblink don't really bother me much. I've done front blinkers (switchbacks), rear blinkers, and reverse lights. Interior lights are LED as well.

Would be cool to figure out the rewiring needed to get the rear blinkers (hatchback) to function as a red/amber switchback. Giving full circle red running lights in the back. There are red/amber switchback bulbs, so that part is easy.

Which bulbs did you use for reverse lights?

 

[JackGSonic]

I used the PlaZma 400 Lumen bulbs from here.
Lumen® - Chevy Sonic 2012-2015 Back-up/Reverse Light LED Bulbs
Also used the 50 Lumen bulbs from the same link for the front interior domes, though they just BARELY fit. I would recommend the 40 Lumen model for the dome lights.

 

[blutrotsonic]

This may be of use here.... Lamp Replacement Guide View All Bulbs

 

[mja]

Anyone know the bulb size of the smaller tail light? There's the normal size lamp bulb/brake lamp, then two tiny ones (hatchback)

 

[carsNskis]

http://www.lightbulbs4cars.com/chevrolet bulb guide

 

[mja]

Thanks carsnskis, the link doesn't have the tail lamp marker bulb listed. The one that was in the car when I bought it was an LED one, called VLED's and they gave me a wrong size replacement bulb. Can't seem to find the size anywhere.

 

[AshesToArmor]

Mysterious driver's side high beam problem

Let me just start off with a few of these...

NOTE: I've replaced all of the halogens in my 2013 Sonic with LEDs (except the fog lights)

So, the last few weeks, I've noticed that whenever I switch on the high beams -- whether flashing them or turning on full-time -- only the passenger side bulb turns on the FIRST time they're switched on. If I flash the highs and flash them a second time, both bulbs turn on. Same if I turn them on, off, then back on again.

I've checked the connections and nothing seems to be off. I reversed the bulb to make sure it wasn't a polarity issue and the same thing happened. Now I'm stumped :sadbanana:

Anyone experience anything like this with LED high beams? If so, got any suggestions what I can do to fix it?

 

[mja]

This same thing happens with my HID low beams, but not every time. I turn em off and back on and both come on. Before one of my LED fog lights (H11 LED headlights) bit the dust, it was also acting up like this. I replaced the bulb with a newer model VLED micro led, no more issues.