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Topic: License Plate Lights - Original Installation (Read 7 times) previous topic - next topic
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License Plate Lights - Original Installation
Yahoo Message Number: 58108
Some may remember my earlier posting on the problems I had with our 2001 LD license plate lights quitting their Edison assignment because of rusty sockets.

Well, a few weeks ago, the LED license plate lights arrived that I had ordered and have now been installed.

What I found when I removed the mothership installation was disappointing.

To be kind, the original light sockets were poorly installed.
 The ground wiring was attached to the base of the light socket with a hose clamp.  A section of the wire insulation had been removed where it went under the hose clamp on the outboard light socket vase and where the wire ended under the other hose clamp on the inboard light socket base.  Both light socket bases, hose clamps and part of the wiring were then totally covered individually with a large pile of sealant, which was the only thing holding the light socket to the fiberglass wall of the license plate recess on the LD.  Rust had progressed up inside the light socket base under the sealant and corrosion had started on the wire under the hose clamp. The latter was, at least, stainless.

I cannot believe that this wiring and installation would satisfy either Ford approved secondary manufacturer requirements or RVIA criteria to which our LD is supposed to comply.
 This type of installation does not belong on a Lazy Daze, especially ours! What's above your rear license plate?

Don McG 2001 LD MB
Re: License Plate Lights - Original Installation
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58122
Quote
Well, a few weeks ago, the LED license plate lights arrived that I had ordered and have now been installed.

Don McG 2001 LD MB
Don,
 I've been searching for some time for led replacements for the license plate lights. Please tell what you found and where, as well as the details of how they were installed. Thanks.

Ray
2001MB
Re: License Plate Lights - Original Installation
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58161
Quote
Well, a few weeks ago, the LED license plate lights arrived that I had ordered and have now been installed.
Don McG  2001 LD MB

Don, I've been searching for some time for led replacements for the license plate lights. Please tell what you found and where, as well as the details of how they were installed. Thanks.
Ray  2001MB
Hello Ray, Source: Vehiclelight.com 1141 Cerro Largo Drive Solana Beach, CA 92075 Email address:

Light (2 req'd):  White LED License Plate / Courtesy Lights, Chrome plated ABS, Sleepy Eye Design, attached dual wire pigtails, two external screw attachment.

Cost: $4.99 each.
Shipping to Bellevue, WA: $8.53 UPS Ground.

My comments:  There is a LED external license plate light assy available that has a sealed stainless steel housing - a much better design than the Chrome plated ABS plastic.  However, it would have required sealing the two large holes mothership put in for the original lights.  I've suggested it to Steve for new LD builds.
 I note that the lights I bought are on the slightly blue light side of the white spectrum......
Replacement of the original lights requires removal of the external caps using a pair of pliers, removal of the aft panel in the aft LH upper storage compartment (several nice philips head brass screws), cutting the wires and digging / prying out the sealant covered light bases / hose clamps / wire ends.  The new lights install with two screws each.  I replaced the screws that came with the lights with stainless steel screws (#6 x 3/4" pan head, as I remember) and ussed a template marked from the new screws on tape to drill the four holes for the new light's attachment screws.  The day before installing the new lights, I used a clear (non Silicone) polyurethane sealant to seal the complete inner surfaces of the new lights to make them waterproof and to form an integral gasket.  Installation required connection of the black coach wire to the white LED light wire for each light on our LD.  (Nice to have uniform wiring standards, isn't it.) After the lights were in and tested, I added polyurethane sealant from the inside to fill up the original factory light holes and seal the raw edges of the large holes through the fiberglass.  Vacuum the floor and reinstall the aft compartment panel to complete the job.
 Final note:  If you remove your original License plate caps and find no rust, suggest you face the mothership direction and just reinstall the caps.  No need to do unnecessary work, right?  the power required for these lights essentially make no difference in battery draw down unless all the running and parking lights are converted to LED.

'Best, Don McG  2001 LD MB
 
Re: License Plate Lights - Original Installation
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58164
Quote
Source: Vehiclelight.com 1141 Cerro Largo Drive Solana Beach, CA 92075 Email address: Sales@v...
Don, Thanks for the quick reply. I had found these lights some time ago, but couldn't determine the size of them. I had previously examined my existing lights and found them also rusty inside. I'll provide comments about the method used by the factory to connect the ground wires after I install the leds.

Ray
2001MB