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Dodge CaravanThe Dodge Caravan is the best selling mini van from Dodge. How many Dodge Caravan owners here at DodgeForum.com would agree? Discuss it now!
Can anyone explain what the deal is with these reading lamps? I've gone to all the parts stores around me and it's unavailable. According to the Dodge parts department they have been replaced with a new part, but I have to replace the entire bezel (at my expense) before I can use the new part.
Can anyone confirm this and explain why.
This is my third Caravan, but I've had more trouble with this one than my previous two combined. To be honest with everyone, this may be the last Dodge I ever buy, if this is what I can expect from them in the future.
I have a 07 grand caravan sxt and I found the bulbs at O'Riely auto. Gave them the number and they looked them up. They had them on hand but must not sell a lot. The guy behind the counter asked what they were for. As for being a frustrating vehicle I know your pain. mine has less then 50,000 miles and burns 2-3 quarts of oil every 1500-2000 miles. and looks like I will be replacing tie rod ends every couple years. I don't think I will be buying another.
I've check the Checkers/O'Riely's, two AutoZone's, Napa & Big A as well as the dealership.
The parts stores all said they did not carry the part and could not order it either.
The dealership pointed me to L000PC579, but informed me that the new part was incompatible with the stock bezel. To use the new part I would have to replace the bezel at my own expense. Something I'm not willing to do.
As for ordering the part from E-bay, or the like, I've fried 1 bulb in 5 years. I don't see much point in buying more than 2. I'll probably be done with it before the other one goes out.
Can anyone explain what the deal is with these reading lamps? I've gone to all the parts stores around me and it's unavailable. According to the Dodge parts department they have been replaced with a new part, but I have to replace the entire bezel (at my expense) before I can use the new part.
Can anyone confirm this and explain why.
This is my third Caravan, but I've had more trouble with this one than my previous two combined. To be honest with everyone, this may be the last Dodge I ever buy, if this is what I can expect from them in the future.
Greetings and I feel your pain, but think I may be able to help someone searching this issue in the future.
The 579 replacement bulbs are available at some auto parts stores as a direct replacement..... but you still will have the excessive heat issue.
I have the PC579's in 2 of our mini-vans and this is what I know about them.
The PC579 is a twist-in carrier mounted bulb for our map lights and is used in other Chrysler vehicles as well....in MHO, it is a poorly engineered light, at least in the mini vans.... the light shines up and is partially reflected down and also partially blocked by the light assy..... the 578-festoon type is much better.
My solution to find a brighter light that runs cooler, see many cases of scorched PC579 sockets, is to use a short LED T10 assy. One that is tall will hit the top of the dome. Check the o.a. height.
I have mounted short LED's that have 6 pcs of 5630 SMD's, 2 on the top and 4 around that produce around 220 lumens of light while using only 3 watts of power. The replacement LED's must have the 2 contact wires....explained later.
This is better than the 113 lumens of the standard bulbs, while using 1/3 the power.....3 watts vs. 10.2 watts. The LED's should run much cooler.
---> One little trick anytime you change this PC579 bulb...The assembly is removed by a simple 1/4 turn and pull straight down and then when you look at the bottom of the assembly with the bulb in it, there will be 2 small silver metal wire retainer crimps. Now it is much easier to remove the bulb by straightening the 2 contact wires from the crimps on the bottom sides before removing. Reverse to install as those 2 wires need to go inside the crimps to work.
Also, the LED may be polarized, meaning if it does not work when you first install it, you may need to rotate the carrier 180 degrees for proper contact.
Hope this can help someone.....
LED Light bulb replacement for PC579 front dome/map light
I replaced my front dome map lights that used those PC579 bulbs. I hated how hot they would get and wanted that "new" feel with LED lighting giving it some better crisp lighting.
I found a pair of PC579 LEDs that are a perfect fit. These are super bright and have been working fine for over a year now. These only cost me about $20 and free shipping
You can find them online here
Last edited by railroadconductor; Dec 8, 2020 at 08:14 PM.
An update on the PC579 'headache'.
An avoidance of the excessive heat & burn from the original PC579 caused me to do this.
I have purchased a pair of these T10 replacements:
which use the new Samsung 3030 LED's and produce around 280 lumens. They are a bit on the "Blue" side for my taste but they are the best I have found for the transformation.
You need to do the wire-removal and swap the bulbs, but for less than $5 per light you get almost twice the light for 1/2 the power & your passenger will be impressed.
2007 Caravan Overhead Reading Lamp PC579
