[justjeepin]

I just bought a 2019 Forester Sport a week ago and noticed that the led glove box light is really dim (almost useless) and yellow in color. I was hoping that I could replace it but I don’t see how. Has anyone tried or figured it out?


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[Brian Call]

My 2019 Forester Premium doesn't even have a glove box light, so I'd consider yourself lucky that you have one at all. From what I've seen around the forums and elsewhere, it seems that not even the higher model 2019 Forester's have a glove box light. Since the Sport has the additional trunk light, maybe they also added a glove box light.

Whatever the case, I think it's really weird that they left out a glove box light.

I found a diagram that shows the glove box with light, but nothing that really helps you with getting it out to replace the bulb. Parts departments (like this one - found via a search) seem to have bits and pieces of the the service manual available to help you figure out what part you need.

Well... ignore my last comment. Turns out I do have a glove box light... unlike most cars were the glove box light turns on whether or not the car is on, the glove box light on the Forester seems to only turn on when the engine is running (and presumably in ACC mode - I haven't tested). I'm not thrilled by their choice for when the light turns on. It's also wayyyy too dim. I'm going to see if I can swap it out, too.

Edit: Added photos of glove box light.

 

[bbottomley]

This is the first year in the history of the Forester that there has been a light in the glove box! I guess they're still on the learning curve.

Back in the 2003-2008 SG series, we shared the same glove box with the Impreza. Impreza had a light; all we had was the holes. Fortunately the Impreza light was a stock item, so it wasn't too hard a job to install one.

 

[rville]

Wow, until I read this thread I didn’t know my 2019 Touring even had a glove box light!
Yes, had to push start button and yes the light that came on was very dim.

 

[bbottomley]

I fear that it’s probably controlled from deep within some inscrutable module of unspecified logic and current drive capacity. The only way to change this sort of thing is to totally bypass it and do it your way.

 

[trainedmonkey]

Before anyone bothers tearing anything out I believe this is a 66237sa010 which makes it a light pocket assembly and not simply a bulb. Same one is used on several other subaru's. I am not sure there is any plug in replacement.

 

[denissh]

yes , its white LED with UMBER plastic lens over it ...

also
66237AJ05A WHIE
66237AJ07A BLUE

 

[Brian Call]

I'm sure most folks figured this out already, but to correct one of my previous comments about when the glove gox light turns on....

It turns on when any of the exterior lighting systems are active, for example:

1) Headlights set to manually on (ignition can be OFF/ACC/ON)
2) Parking lights set to manually (ignition can be OFF/ACC/ON)
3) Headlight switch in the "Auto" position and the vehicle is in a mode where the exterior lights would turn on (e.g. ignition is in ACC/ON mode and it's dark enough that the car turns them on)

I emailed Subaru to ask about replacing the glove box light with a brighter light. They responded with:

"There is no way to alter the glove box light in the vehicle."

I wonder if PN 66237AJ05 is any brighter than the "umber" light.

 

[bbottomley]

With that much involvement with other systems in the car, I definitely fear that it's controlled from deep within a module. They are great if you love what they do, but they're a modder's nightmare.

There was a thread here that described a from-scratch installation in earlier year Foresters that used a switch from one of the big autoparts distributors, and easy-to-find LED lamps. I'll try to locate it.

If you don't mind a bit of butchering, you could probably use the existing switch, and totally cut it out of the original wiring. Lots easier than finding a new one and cutting the appropriate hole.

 

[bbottomley]

Here's the post I was referring to:

('14-'18) - 2014 - How To: DIY - Glove Box...

The 2014 has a mount for a glove box light but no light and no harness connector. Winter days are short in the Northwest and any light helps. I wanted to power from the dome lights. I could have powered from the 12V outlet in the center stack, but that would make it work only when the key is...

www.subaruforester.org

I have plans to do this on our 2 SJs, but the project is still shelfware. I procured some white LED panel lights on eBay, but now I'm leaning more toward a stick-on LED strip for ease of mounting. Maybe some day I'll do it.