I am trying to replace the cargo lamp in my 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. There's an entire alphabet soup of lamps used nowadays and none of them seem to match up to each other. It looks like what I need is either a 211-2 or a 578 bulb. Whatever the case, what's in there looks like this Sylvania 578 bulb:
which you'll note has little wires sticking out of the ends, and it hooks onto the blades of the socket to hold it in place and to provide solid electrical and physical connection. I ordered some LED replacements from Amazon, they are listed as being the entire alphabet soup all at once somehow, "569 578 211-2 212-2 DE3423 DE3425" is in the title and description. They came and the ends look like this:
Which you'll note does not have the wires. I tried it just to be sure, and no it doesn't fit. I tried google image searching for 211-2 bulb and 578 bulb and I'm finding both types listed extensively. What do I have, how can I be sure to get the right bulb?
As a side note, I tried putting this LED bulb in the center dome light position and it worked but would blink. It would blink because the bulb it's expecting has a slighly larger diameter barrel. So there's yet another incompatibility with an "almost right" bulb. I miss the old style bulbs.
It isn’t just interior lights either....
OK, maybe I figured something out. It seems like the auto parts stores have the part listed wrong, and what I need is a "561" bulb, based on the info here:
https://paulstravelpictures.com/2008-2014-Dodge-Grand-Caravan-Cargo-Area-Light-Bulb-Replacement-Guide/index.html
those bulbs all have the wire loop to hook the socket. So I went ahead and ordered a 561 bulb. I can return my incorrect bulbs but at $8 for 4 I wish I could just use them on something.
My Subaru's gauges have light bulbs that are apparently only available from Subaru. They do give a bulb number but the only incandescent bulbs you can find from other retailers have MUCH higher wattage specs. Or you can take your chances with probably dubious quality LEDs which, if they actually fit, will probably blind you. So yeah I bought some from Subaru.
Superbrightleds usually gives you good info. May not be as cheap as the bottom barrel ebay or amazon sellers, but throwing away the wrong set of bulbs isn’t cheap either.
Keith Tanner said:
Superbrightleds usually gives you good info. May not be as cheap as the bottom barrel ebay or amazon sellers, but throwing away the wrong set of bulbs isn’t cheap either.
Interestingly, they list both. Apparently there's more than one bulb socket type on these cars. Great! Well, they do list the 561 as an option so I think that's probably correct.
I had contacted the seller on the Amazon listing. They apologized, said they don't have the right bulb, and refunded my money letting me keep the bulbs. So that's pretty nice of them.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
+1 their data base and quality are well worth giving them my money.
In reply to jukilik :
We had that in the UK. There were only so many Lucas lights available, so you would find the same taillights on a Land Rover or an MG or an Austin Healey. And headlights? 7" round. Lots of gorgeous cars made with those parts, and none of this one-year-only light nonsense that only drives up prices for replacement parts with no benefit.
The worst offender is the Jeep Wrangler. Protruding taillights that will definitely get damaged during offroading. All the style of a generic trailer light but a "new" design for the latest model so replacements are a couple of hundred bucks.
I will acknowledge that 7" round headlights are not ideal for aero.
Funny this popped up again, the tailgate lamp I bought back in 2019 has failed, it flickers a bunch now. I need to order a replacement, and I'm glad I had this refresher.
Keith Tanner said:
I will acknowledge that 7" round headlights are not ideal for aero.
They weren't all that great at lighting up the road either. :)
codrus (Forum Supporter) said:
Keith Tanner said:
I will acknowledge that 7" round headlights are not ideal for aero.
They weren't all that great at lighting up the road either. :)
I disagree. All else being equal, bigger reflectors are better reflectors and round reflectors are always better. Don't judge 7" rounds by the pathetic light output of US-mandated sealed beams.
I think that standardized LED taillights and turn signals make sense - make three shapes, one round, one rectangular, one strip. Headlights can and should be unique.
Keith Tanner said:
Superbrightleds usually gives you good info. May not be as cheap as the bottom barrel ebay or amazon sellers, but throwing away the wrong set of bulbs isn’t cheap either.
Buying replacement LEDs because the cheap LEDs burned out after a few months isn't cheap either. I learned long ago to spend the money on top-shelf LEDs and be done with it.
