2nd Gen Dome Light Woes

[Tatohead]

I think all, or at least most, of us owners have had problems with the dome lights in these Camrys.

I have tried numerous junkyard replacements, sanding and grinding contacts, etc, without total success. Sometimes the "door" position works; sometimes the "on" position works. Sometimes they both work but are extremely dim.

2 questions:

1. Are there any aftermarket suppliers making new replacements?

2. If not, anyone know if the dealer has them, and are they too expensive to really consider?

3. I have a base model. Can I cut a hole in my headliner and put in the map lights from an LE? In other words, with the screw holes and wire lead already be there?

THANKS!

['88 All-Trac]

You might try an ES250 dome light. I snagged one and the contacts feel to be of much higher quality than the stock Camry ones... Not to mention it casts a broader, more even spread of light.

[auto_robotics]

I was having a similar problem and bought a new dome light from Toyota. I think it was around $30.

I recently bought a used LE map light and will try to add it to my DX. I'm not certain if the mounting holes will be under there or not.

The roof wiring harness is different depending on the model so I'm going to have to upgrade that first before it'll plug in. I hope to find it in a junkyard.

LE roof harnesses came with connectors for the vanity mirror lights and the map light. Models with the moon roof had yet another harness that supported the moon roof motor and switch. Toyota was apparently big into saving money by not giving you any more than you needed!

- Craig

[Guido Anchovy]

I solved the dim bulb problem by replacing the actual bulb with a drop-in LED replacement from superbrightleds.com. Now it's always bright, door mode or full on. Specifically, this bulb: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b..._3022-xHP4.htm

(3022-WWHP4)

If you want to do some slight modding, they make an even brighter kit here:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...base_specs.htm

The first one is plenty bright, though, compared to the dim original.

[seng]

the lexus es250 are a rare gem to find in junk yards. so, i pulled a dome light off of a es300 as a experiment, because these cars are everywhere. it fits! all of the holes line up and plugs right into the factory camry harness. i now have great lighting in my camry. when you open the door at night, it's like day inside the car it's soo bright.

now, the es300 dome light is larger than the camry and it sits flat up against the ceiling panel. so, you will need to trim the ceiling panel for the dome light to sit flush. i just left mine alone without trimming for now. it's not noticable. i don't have any pics, but can take 'em if anyone would like to see it.

to the op, getting a new dome light is really the only option you have. you can buy a new one from toyota for about $30 or you can go to the junk yard and pull one off of a es250 or es300. and from what i've read from a thread on this site, the corolla of the early 90's dome light will work too.

[Tatohead]

Hey, that's great news about the ES300. I'm going to start looking for one.

So, it's working now, but only because I pulled 4 from the junkyard, and tested each one until I found one that worked. Only one of the 4 worked. THe junkyard let me put the others back, and only purchase one.

I also answered my own question about the map lights from an LE. They don't screw into anything. They're held in place with spring clips into a hole in the headliner. So, unless I upgrade to an LE headliner (or carefully cut a hole?), no go.

Thanks!

[seng]

i'm glad to hear you have light now.