I30 Active standard tail lights --> N line LED tail lights

NOV4K · **April 17, 2020, 09:14:28**

Hi guys I'm new on here but I've had my i30 for about a year.
I wanted to see if it's possible to replace the standard tail lights on the newer i30's to the N line LED tail lights design? They are basically the same car just different features and exteriors. Mine is a Active GDi i30 2017.
But if it is a thing, does a mechanic have to replace it or is there a DIY eBay way of doing it to save some money?

The Gonz · **Reply #1: April 17, 2020, 09:16:19**

Novak.
I'd have to see a side-by-side comparison but if they look the same in shape, I'd say it's something you can swap out without fear.

NOV4K · **Reply #2: April 17, 2020, 09:32:26**

They are quite similar I think it's just replacing the halogen lights with the LED but I feel like there is a difference in technical connection but I guess we don't know until opening the actual tail light and seeing how it's set up

The Gonz · **Reply #3: April 17, 2020, 09:54:38**

If you can at least get a look at one, even from as dealer, cast a good eye over the connectors. In any case, we're talking delivery of 12VDC, and simple splicing will get you there under the worst of circumstances.

Dazzler · **Reply #4: April 17, 2020, 10:07:57**

Welcome NovakWA,

I'm sure a couple of our members have sourced LED tail light from the PD SR (predecessor to the N-Line) second hand online or via wrecker's yards. They are prohibitively expensive retail from a dealer (over $1000 a pair I suspect)

Now I'm not sure whether the tail lights got changed much, if at all between the SR and N-line but I suspect they would still be the same dimensions.

Pretty sure they are plug and play too (so easy DIY mod if you can find some at the right price) As Gonz says says worst case scenario a bit of splicing would sort it anyway..

I really liked the look of my SR tail lights!

CraigB · **Reply #5: April 17, 2020, 12:13:37**

They'll be plug and play just the same as the GD model swap, as Dazz mentioned they're expensive...retail at about 3K.

eBay has a Korean seller KDM

OEM Genuine N Line LED Tail Lights Lamp LH+RH 4Pcs For Hyundai i30 | eBay at a $1035 for a full new set that's good value.

You might find some at a wreckers, they tend to sell them at around $200 per piece x 4 = $800

NOV4K · **Reply #6: April 18, 2020, 01:27:04**

Thanks so much guys! I found a wrecker in QLD with a SR. They are offering $600 for the full set of 4 tail lights so might take up that offer as it's such a good bargain!

I just need to be sure that these tail lights will fit and operate in my car before I purchase them and get them sent over via delivery.

Dazzler · **Reply #7: April 18, 2020, 03:33:28**

Quote from: NovakWA on April 18, 2020, 01:27:04

Thanks so much guys! I found a wrecker in QLD with a SR. They are offering $600 for the full set of 4 tail lights so might take up that offer as it's such a good bargain!

I just need to be sure that these tail lights will fit and operate in my car before I purchase them and get them sent over via delivery.

Great! I'm 95 % certain, but don't sue me if I'm wrong. Hopefully he packs them really well.

CraigB · **Reply #8: April 18, 2020, 03:41:50**

@NovakWA if you can pop one of the lights off to take a photo of the plug, or get the wrecker to send you a photo to confirm...I’m 99% positive they’ll be the same connection as they’re still half halogen like the previous GD model.

Great price too

NOV4K · **Reply #9: April 18, 2020, 04:30:53**

Yeah definitely! I'll pop a piece open and see what it looks like. I did take a look at the i30 owner's manual on how to get them off and it's got both the halogen and LED instructions and its basically the same! The images look super similar I'll post the images below and see if you guys see any discrepancies (maybe I'm blind haha)

CraigB · **Reply #10: April 18, 2020, 06:53:45**

Unfortunately those pictures don’t show the harness connection plug.

The wrecker will have some standard lights there as well I’d assume, ask him to confirm if the plug socket on the back of the light housing is the same as the LED type, I’m sure they will be.

NOV4K · **Reply #11: April 18, 2020, 08:19:45**

True! I'll ask him and see

NOV4K · **Reply #12: April 20, 2020, 09:45:48**

UPDATE: So just sent the pictures to the wrecker of my tail lights. It looks like the plug in is the same but need to make sure he's got the same plug in. Can anyone confirm just by looking at the pictures? I didn't end up opening the plugs (safety reasons), I normally get my lights replaced by a professional (I know how to do it, I just don't trust myself to handle things like that)

The Gonz · **Reply #13: April 20, 2020, 10:26:45**

If that's a comparison of incandescent and LED, they look the same.

NOV4K · **Reply #14: April 20, 2020, 10:32:26**

Haha no the pictures are my halogen tail lights. I don't know what LED light plug ins look like. The wrecker hasn't check in with me yet.

Dazzler · **Reply #15: April 20, 2020, 10:46:18**

I'm sure they will be fine.. mind you I'll eat my words if they are Novak'in good..

CraigB · **Reply #16: April 20, 2020, 10:53:59**

The plug that needs to be compared is where the harness goes through that grommet in the body panel behind the large rear side light (first picture), pull the grommet out to access the main plug.

The setup looks exactly like the GD design so I'm fairly confident they'll be a simple plug and play

NOV4K · **Reply #17: April 20, 2020, 11:37:50**

Ah ok! So I pull the plug out of the body so the tail light detaches? I'm not touching the actual tail light plugs just the one plug that connects the tail light to the car. Just making sure I'm doing this right sorry just need clarification!

I used to own a very old car and it was so much simpler haha I was able to access tail lights from inside the actual trunk so all this is so new to me

NOV4K · **Reply #18: April 20, 2020, 11:39:03**

@Dazzler haha nice my car's name is Novak haha after the tennis player

CraigB · **Reply #19: April 20, 2020, 12:08:51**

Quote from: NovakWA on April 20, 2020, 11:37:50

Ah ok! So I pull the plug out of the body so the tail light detaches? I'm not touching the actual tail light plugs just the one plug that connects the tail light to the car. Just making sure I'm

Correct, you'll detach the harness from behind that grommet, the bulbs and attached cabling on your OEM halogen housings don't get used in the swap over.

The new LED lights will have there own plug - cable and grommet to simply replace what you've removed

Dazzler · **Reply #20: April 20, 2020, 12:56:18**

Quote from: NovakWA on April 20, 2020, 11:39:03

@Dazzler haha nice my car's name is Novak haha after the tennis player

Sorry, I couldn't resist.. glad you got the humour.. I like the Joker, amazing player and seems like a good guy.

NOV4K · **Reply #21: April 21, 2020, 06:43:48**

Alright so I have the main plugs pictured down below! It's a very simple plug in so I'm praying the LED plug fits into the body

The Gonz · **Reply #22: April 21, 2020, 08:08:11**

Now make sure that bit of loom is included when you get them from the wreckers!

NOV4K · **Reply #23: April 21, 2020, 08:33:02**

Yes definitely! I'm making sure the wrecker sends me pictures of the plugs and make sure it's all intact before shipping off

CraigB · **Reply #24: April 21, 2020, 12:42:07**

Yes, they're still the same connection used like the earlier model so new LED's will plug straight in, the wiring loom should be pre-attached making a simple plug and play upgrade

shanesimmo · **Reply #25: April 23, 2020, 12:42:14**

Same connection as my PD i30 SR Premium so I assume will plug straight in.