Saab 900 Map Light Bulb Size

The Saab 900 map light requires bulb sizes 12961 and DE3423 for proper installation within the interior lighting housing. Available information covers the specific time range from 1995 through 1998.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
1995-1998	12961 (Center)
1995-1998	DE3423 (Passenger and Driver Side)

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V.	DE3423

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Saab 900 map light system across 1995-1998 uses two distinct bulb types depending on position: a 12961 for the center location and a DE3423 for both the passenger and driver side locations.
The 12961 is a Philips part number designation for a T10 miniature wedge bulb, which uses a W2.1x9.5d base and operates at 12V with a 5W rating.
The T10 wedge form factor means the 12961 bulb is retained by friction fit within its socket rather than by a bayonet or screw mechanism, which is a common trait of low-wattage interior lighting applications.
The DE3423 is an ANSI-standardized designation recognized across the United States and Canada, identifying a festoon-style bulb with a 41mm length and end-cap contacts that bridge two metal terminals within the housing.
Festoon bulbs such as the DE3423 are not interchangeable with wedge-base bulbs like the 12961, as the two types use fundamentally different socket designs and contact methods.
The DE3423 operates at 12V, consistent with standard automotive electrical systems, and its ANSI classification means equivalent bulbs from multiple manufacturers are available under the same designation.
The 41mm length of the DE3423 is a critical fitment factor, as festoon bulbs of differing lengths, such as 36mm or 44mm variants, will not seat correctly in a housing sized for a 41mm bulb.
The center map light position on the Saab 900 (1995-1998) requires the wedge-base 12961, while the outboard passenger and driver side positions require the festoon-style DE3423, meaning a single replacement bulb type does not serve all three map light sockets.