Just did this on my 17 CTS and this video was super helpful. I had to jack up the rear end to get enough room to reach the reverse lights. And you absolutely need a tool to unscrew them. A 12mm wrench works well. Cheap and relatively easy job.
I spent like a week on how to upgrade my plate and reverse lights (as you said, they don't match with the rest of the car) until I found this video! wonderful and very useful links, thanks !!
I just did my plate and reverse light today it’s really not hard once u get started and it’s worth it. Also Thanks for the great content plus great ideas and tutorials
Finally did this mod to my ‘17 ATS-V after having the LED bulbs for months. Getting to the bulb on the right was way harder than I thought it would be. I made sure to test functionality before reinstalling each bulb housing.
It's really awful how GM cheaps out on small things like this, same on the ATS and CT6, they'll add in HIDs on the CT6 and corner LEDs with 6000k interior lights (forced to on a 70k car) but forget the license plate, reverse light interior visor lights, gotta save 2 pennies over there hopefully no one will notice lol
Bro I'm so glad I found your channel! I changed my license plate lights out as soon as I bought my CTS last year but was very disappointed because I couldn't find a video to show how to install upgraded reverse tail lights UNTIL NOW! I watched this video and went to AutoZone to buy the bulbs. Within 30 mins the new bulbs were installed!! Again great video and AWESOME channel!! Now I'm debating on what to do next LOL!!
I swapped all my interior, backup and license plate bulbs on my 2017 V3 with led bulbs from Lasfit. They don’t flicker and they are all Canbus error free bulbs. Highly recommend them.
@@daveharmon8674 Nope! It ran like a champ but I just sold it about 2 weeks ago. Moving up to a C7 Corvette! What engine did you get in your CTS? 3.6L? 3.6L twin turbo? Or the 4cyl turbo?
2.0 Turbo. The car has 50,000 miles and is falwless and is the Champagne Silver Metallic Color that I really wanted. Two tone leather. $17 out the door. I'm 54 and it's basically mine and my Wife's date night car. It will stay in the garage on rainy days and winter months.
Just ordered tag and reverse bulbs from Dynamic Diode. By far the brightest you can buy. Expensive but the visibility when reversing is worth 3 times the cost of the bulbs. Tag lights are just to look good. No point in making my tag visible from 2 miles behind me lol.
The ATS (2013 at least) reverse lights are actually waaayyy easier than the CTS. As soon as you lay down under the car they're right in front of your face without removing anything. No tools or jacks required either.
These specific lights have not been shown to work with the XTS. You may need to find other lights that are compatible with the CANBUS. I’m not sure why there’s a difference in operation
Thanks for the video, it was very helpful (I too had to use a wrench to gently pry the socket loose). A lot easier if the car is lifted about 6". I installed these JDM ASAR LEDs in the backup lights, and after about a month, one failed. So I have just installed a replacement, hopefully the one that failed was just defective. Anyone have suggestions for different LEDs, perhaps better quality?
Shifter lights are LED's built into the piano black plastic. There's a plug to it that may have become disconnected or damaged. You can access the plug by pulling the clipped on panels next to the driver's hip/leg.
I upgraded my reverse/tag lights to led, easy transition thanks to this guy. However, the reverse lights appear to be on even when the car is off. Should I worry about my battery dying?
Sorry to hear that! Very strange that they work in some cars and not others. I’ll delete the link and find something else. Thanks for the feedback and sorry for the inconvenience
Is there a conversion for the reverse light into a brake/reverse light giving it the red look. I see mustang can do it and it has a similar reverse light.
So I put leds in and they are on dim all the time. I put the remaining bulbs back in. Did I just purchase a cheap pair of leds? I have the Sylvania bulbs ordered, hopefully they will work correctly.
@Jet fuel only Hey buddy love your videos since I just bought a 2013 ats luxury edition. After watching your tag light replacement video I went out and bought some white led tag lights because the right one was not working and now even after replacement the right still does not work. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Hey Jeff, I purchased the same reverse light bulbs put them in and the're not working. They're in properly just wondering what's the deal? Could it be that I handling the lights with my bare hands?
Kind of? If there’s a video that can made from it! Overall I don’t like working on other people’s cars in case something goes wrong. I’m only a RUclips certified mechanic you know! Lol
Did this on my 2014 Cadillac XTS but when the car is off the reverse light gets very dim and stays on. License plate lights are fine without the resistors and the reverse light looks great when the car is on but I really want it to completely turn off when the car is off. Does anyone have a solution as my reverse lights did not come with a resistor?
LED light replacements are basically just LED versions of regular lights. Find out what bulbs you have and swap in LED versions. They are likely to be same ones as the CTS.
For the CTS it requires removing the door panel and cutting larger holes. Unfortunately it’s not easy like the ATS. I won’t be doing this modification :(
Question guys, has anyone who has installed led’s in the reverse light ever seen them flicker or low flash while the car was off? Just seen another video install and they mention that issue. Not sure if that was the brand of LED or is this a common issue with CTS model.
I have a 2012 CTS does anyone know which fuse goes to the tag lights I've put in 2 new sets of bulbs in and they are still not working I'm hoping it is only a fuse
I don’t see it specifically stated but I would check the position lamp and side marker lamp fuses in the rear fuse block. Link to owners manual: my.cadillac.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/dynamic/manuals/2012/cadillac/cts_sedan/2012_cadillac_cts_owners.pdf
I haven’t gotten into the stereo but I believe it’s in the shelf above the trunk with the speakers. Supposedly easy to get to. If not check behind the right side also carpet.
Great how to! Ordered some led bulbs, thanks! Should of came with led out the dealer 😕
Just did this on my 17 CTS and this video was super helpful. I had to jack up the rear end to get enough room to reach the reverse lights. And you absolutely need a tool to unscrew them. A 12mm wrench works well. Cheap and relatively easy job.
"Make sure not to use those recalled Harbor Freight jack stands" Love that you mentioned that. lol
Such a simple upgrade and you managed to make the best DIY video I’ve ever seen. Well done!!
I spent like a week on how to upgrade my plate and reverse lights (as you said, they don't match with the rest of the car) until I found this video! wonderful and very useful links, thanks !!
LED upgrades complete. Thanks!!
I just did my plate and reverse light today it’s really not hard once u get started and it’s worth it.
Also Thanks for the great content plus great ideas and tutorials
did you jack your car up. I'm going to buy a 2014 CTS on Monday and I usually swap out every halogen bulb that exists on the car.
@@vernonpaigejr.1517 Nah i just laid under the car it was a tight squeeze but not to bad wasn’t to difficult at all tbh
Finally did this mod to my ‘17 ATS-V after having the LED bulbs for months.
Getting to the bulb on the right was way harder than I thought it would be.
I made sure to test functionality before reinstalling each bulb housing.
It's really awful how GM cheaps out on small things like this, same on the ATS and CT6, they'll add in HIDs on the CT6 and corner LEDs with 6000k interior lights (forced to on a 70k car) but forget the license plate, reverse light interior visor lights, gotta save 2 pennies over there hopefully no one will notice lol
I just bought the european reverse light with the red LED fog light in the middle. excited to hook it up when it arrives
Bro I'm so glad I found your channel! I changed my license plate lights out as soon as I bought my CTS last year but was very disappointed because I couldn't find a video to show how to install upgraded reverse tail lights UNTIL NOW! I watched this video and went to AutoZone to buy the bulbs. Within 30 mins the new bulbs were installed!! Again great video and AWESOME channel!! Now I'm debating on what to do next LOL!!
Another one! I will be doing this over the weekend. Thanks as always!
I swapped all my interior, backup and license plate bulbs on my 2017 V3 with led bulbs from Lasfit. They don’t flicker and they are all Canbus error free bulbs. Highly recommend them.
Thanks for the video! Great help. Replaced mine on my 2014 ELR. Worked great. Thanks again!
Ordering them now. As always great vid.
I did this on my CTS 2014. Thanks for the advice and video. Awesome.
I just bought a CTS 14. Any problems with it yet? I'm switching all of my Differentials Transmission and Motor oil over to Aims oil.
@@daveharmon8674 Nope! It ran like a champ but I just sold it about 2 weeks ago. Moving up to a C7 Corvette! What engine did you get in your CTS? 3.6L? 3.6L twin turbo? Or the 4cyl turbo?
2.0 Turbo. The car has 50,000 miles and is falwless and is the Champagne Silver Metallic Color that I really wanted. Two tone leather. $17 out the door. I'm 54 and it's basically mine and my Wife's date night car. It will stay in the garage on rainy days and winter months.
@@daveharmon8674 enjoy! Happy for you. I’m getting a 2019 C7 ZO6 in Yellow! But I loved my CTS
That's an Amazing Car enjoy. I Love Yellow.
Just ordered tag and reverse bulbs from Dynamic Diode. By far the brightest you can buy. Expensive but the visibility when reversing is worth 3 times the cost of the bulbs. Tag lights are just to look good. No point in making my tag visible from 2 miles behind me lol.
Its easy to pre-check polarity before fastening everything up.
The ATS (2013 at least) reverse lights are actually waaayyy easier than the CTS. As soon as you lay down under the car they're right in front of your face without removing anything. No tools or jacks required either.
Awesome, thank u! I was watching for my 2015 Cadillac ATS 2.0L Turbo & the Zevo 921's I got.
I changed my reverse bulbs on my 2014 XTS but know they stay on all the time. Did I do something wrong?
These specific lights have not been shown to work with the XTS. You may need to find other lights that are compatible with the CANBUS. I’m not sure why there’s a difference in operation
Hello...thanks for sharing your information....Did you find a compatible LED bulb. Do you have or can provide installation instructions...Thanks
Mine did the same. I ordered the Sylvania bulbs, hopefully they will work correctly.
Thanks for the video, it was very helpful (I too had to use a wrench to gently pry the socket loose). A lot easier if the car is lifted about 6". I installed these JDM ASAR LEDs in the backup lights, and after about a month, one failed. So I have just installed a replacement, hopefully the one that failed was just defective. Anyone have suggestions for different LEDs, perhaps better quality?
Thank you for this👊🏽 What about the shifter lights? Mine went out can you help with that please
Shifter lights are LED's built into the piano black plastic. There's a plug to it that may have become disconnected or damaged. You can access the plug by pulling the clipped on panels next to the driver's hip/leg.
I upgraded my reverse/tag lights to led, easy transition thanks to this guy. However, the reverse lights appear to be on even when the car is off. Should I worry about my battery dying?
That's not right, so they stay on indefinitely? You may need different bulbs.
Jay Maserati i had same issue did you get it resolved
@@rosgarcia7822 I just put the stock lights back in tbh
Thanks I think I'm gonna have to do the same ,they made my rear power shade stop working weird...
So I have started down this rabbit hole and it appears that you need a resistor installes
Bought the lights in your link( back up) Installed . They won't turn off. They only dim down.
Sorry to hear that! Very strange that they work in some cars and not others. I’ll delete the link and find something else. Thanks for the feedback and sorry for the inconvenience
Can you confirm your year and make and model that you installed the lights on?
@@JetFuelOnly 2017 XTS.
@@Defender_of_Faith ok thank you. Seems like the XTS doesn’t like those lights. No one has reported CTS issues. You might try another brand
@@JetFuelOnly found a Cadillac forum about it. One comment stated you have to a resistor.
Same.. zevo Sylvania LED s lights watching your channel to replace black up lights stopped my rear view mirror stop auto dimming 🤦🏾♂️
Lol 12 seconds in I’m on it lmao
I hope I ordered the right size L.E.D's . they didn't look like yours. I'm about to check out your vid on rear diffuser
Any 194 bulb/ led will fit the sockets. reverse and plate lights
You should have one for the front light thinking about changing the light in the front to led lights
I think the way they are designed it will be problematic and take a lot of work. Like unsoldering each diode or something. But anything is possible!
Is there a conversion for the reverse light into a brake/reverse light giving it the red look. I see mustang can do it and it has a similar reverse light.
So I put leds in and they are on dim all the time. I put the remaining bulbs back in. Did I just purchase a cheap pair of leds? I have the Sylvania bulbs ordered, hopefully they will work correctly.
Gotta be CANBUS compatible. Is this on a 3rd gen CTS?
@Jet fuel only Hey buddy love your videos since I just bought a 2013 ats luxury edition. After watching your tag light replacement video I went out and bought some white led tag lights because the right one was not working and now even after replacement the right still does not work. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Hmm sounds like it has to be wiring? Unless there’s something in the housing bad but I doubt it.
Hey Jeff, I purchased the same reverse light bulbs put them in and the're not working. They're in properly just wondering what's the deal? Could it be that I handling the lights with my bare hands?
That’s u likely with the LEDs. Did you try turning them 180 degrees from install position?
@@JetFuelOnly, Thanks Jeff, I got them to work and it looks good.... Thanks again Bro!
tight. thanks
why isn't your 3rd break light running, isn't supposed to be running on like the left and right break lights. Great video
Only comes on when you hit the brakes.
This might be a dumb question but do these bulbs for for a Cadillac ATS 2014 😅😅😅
Yup should be mostly the same
Great video bro did you get rid of the old side splitters you had on?
Yeah they are gone.
Man I was going to ask if you wanted to sale them
Using same LED lights for reverse lights in up stoping,my auto dimming rear view had too switched back to factory bulbs..😢
What car did you install on?
@@JetFuelOnly 2017 cadillac xts4 take same bulbs listed at advanced auto
i put back factory bulbs and auto dimmer start working again
thanks for led side markers works fine ppls been asking me about them i just say they came with my car lol
Does anyone know where I can buy an illuminated front grille led emblem light for a 2019 ct6 cadillac
Daniel, are you working on other people's V-Sports?
Kind of? If there’s a video that can made from it! Overall I don’t like working on other people’s cars in case something goes wrong. I’m only a RUclips certified mechanic you know! Lol
Did this on my 2014 Cadillac XTS but when the car is off the reverse light gets very dim and stays on. License plate lights are fine without the resistors and the reverse light looks great when the car is on but I really want it to completely turn off when the car is off. Does anyone have a solution as my reverse lights did not come with a resistor?
Would this work for the ATS as well?
LED light replacements are basically just LED versions of regular lights. Find out what bulbs you have and swap in LED versions. They are likely to be same ones as the CTS.
Can you do a video on under doors lights with Cadillac logo
For the CTS it requires removing the door panel and cutting larger holes. Unfortunately it’s not easy like the ATS. I won’t be doing this modification :(
Make sense...thanks
Do they fit a 2013 ats as well?
Not sure on that one. Just get proper LED lights that fit the socket type. (Probably in your manual). Get the kind with CANBUS compatibility
Hi i put the licence plate lights that u recommenden but in getting a error message on the dash. Can you please help me?
Did you get the ones that I linked in the description?
@@JetFuelOnly yes i got Those
That’s odd. Some lights aren’t compatible. They need to be canbus compatible but I’m running the ones in the description. Are they lighting at all?
@@JetFuelOnly yes they work just the error message
Sorry about that. You may need to find a different bulb. Like this one may work: www.amazon.com/AUXITO-Bright-Chipsets-Courtesy-License/dp/B072JLWGQX
Is this the same set up for xt5?
Unfortunately I don’t know about the XT5
Question guys, has anyone who has installed led’s in the reverse light ever seen them flicker or low flash while the car was off? Just seen another video install and they mention that issue. Not sure if that was the brand of LED or is this a common issue with CTS model.
I'm going to bet brand issue. Make sure they are CAN Bus lights. www.superbrightleds.com/blog/can-bus-led-bulbs/293/
One of first things I did when I got mine...vleds
Can I do this on the ct6 ? Are they the same bulbs? Does anyone know
All you gotta do is look! See if the covers come off the same and pull the bulb. Bulb type may be listed in the manual.
The XT5 must be the same?
Not sure! Just go to Phillips or sylvania website and find out which bulb type. Then if they don’t have LED version find one that’s high quality
@JetFuelOnly I know what bulb type..I mean do u have to take the bottom piece off lol
Oh. Haha, well I’m sorry I’ve only been within 5’ of an XT5 once and it was many years ago.
@@JetFuelOnly lol ok I'm guessing it is..the lights look the same
I have a 2012 CTS does anyone know which fuse goes to the tag lights I've put in 2 new sets of bulbs in and they are still not working I'm hoping it is only a fuse
I don’t see it specifically stated but I would check the position lamp and side marker lamp fuses in the rear fuse block. Link to owners manual: my.cadillac.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/dynamic/manuals/2012/cadillac/cts_sedan/2012_cadillac_cts_owners.pdf
I would just unhook the License Plate Lights. Been doing that for 40 yrs and have only been jacked up by the Gestapo twice
You would think the reverse lights would be really accessible. Like put a removable cover
cool
Hoping your jack stands aren't from Harbor Freight
I’m guessing the lights would be the same on the ATS? Guess we shall find out lol
I think the install is same but I believe base ATS has smaller lights. The ATS-V has different connectir
Do you know where the stock amplifier is located ?
I haven’t gotten into the stereo but I believe it’s in the shelf above the trunk with the speakers. Supposedly easy to get to. If not check behind the right side also carpet.
His talks about harbor freight tower but used a harbor freigh aluminun jack 😂😂😂
He is specifically referring to not using the stands that HF recalled due to the welds failing and metal tearing.
no error message?!
Not if you get the right LEDs. Use the links in the description.
Ramps
Safety first! You really should be wearing some kind of eye protection. Nothing like a piece of rust in the eye to ruin your day.