Blue LED Dash Conversion

[myberlina]

Yeah I filed the tops down and still got some hot spots although azman has an interesting idea to fix that! Was thinkin of fileing the sides of the LED so it looks much like a triangular shape on top rather than flat. It might put more light out the sides by doing that. Mine has some slight hot spoting but the photo taken makes it look 10x worse. Its actually not as bad as it looks.

When I get my hands on some more LEDs I will tackle the climate control. I have no idea what to expect when I take it apart but when I do get around to it I know it will look awesome.

and spyper... i'm not showing off ... your just jeoulous mine is better than yours!

 

[myberlina]

well i god the LCD screens going blue, looks unreal.

My berlina, have you tried changing the lights for the buttons on the climate control? I've done the LCD and it looks great, but the buttons don't seem to want to work for me.

What exactly is wrong with the buttons?
They dont light up at all or the light isn't coming thru properly?

I put only one in my mode button assembly and it does the job fine.

 

[Kickars2]

hey i like the pics for how to do it.
can i get a list of how many capactors i need and how many led's i need
and what type of capictors i need and what colour?
cause i want to do this mod after i get my car back.
cause i picked a fight with a gum tree and lost the other day so its getting fixed.
how much did it all cost?

 

[Spyper]

Kickars2, to do the cluster you'll need:
5x 5000-8000mcd (brightness) Blue 5mm LED's
5x 540ohm Resistors

Then you'll need 1 or 3 more LED's and resistors to do the trip computers, depending how many you have. You have an executive? So that'd be one trip computer.

6 LEDs (6 x $4 - $7 - From dicksmith or Jaycar) Total: $24 - $42
6 Resistors ($1 ?)
The LEDs MIGHT be a bit hard to find as they seem to be popular.. so might have to visit a few before you get what you need. Good luck.

That's just for the dash. If you need any help, read through this post, then ask ya question.

 

[azman]

What exactly is wrong with the buttons?
They dont light up at all or the light isn't coming thru properly?

I put only one in my mode button assembly and it does the job fine.

myberlina, yeah i've done my Mode button and it came up great. The problem i've found with the Climate control button is the lights dont point right at the lens' of the buttons. Also, they have long green stalks coming out of the buttons themselves. The bulbs fit into this clear casing that appears to difuse the light to the buttons.

When you pull it apart you'll see what I mean.

 

[myberlina]

Oh I just knew it wasn't gonna be easy! Haven't done it yet but when I do it will look great I hope.

How did you go with the climate controls... any pics?

 

[Zharklm]

Ok, I have been skimming back and forth on this thread and I have not seen too much info in taking the aircon controls out (sorry If I have missed it, having to service the techincally inept as well as reading here)

I am not after a conversion but I do need to replace globes behind aircon controls. Can you just pop it out if that is the only place you are going or do you need to take other things off first?

Cheers.

 

[Spyper]

Ok if you're just going to be replacing globes, the job will be easy enough. The hard part is taking the white backing (that the globes and controls fit to) off, because you need to disconnect plugs and gears.

Ok, as for taking apart the AC controls.. easy job.
Disconnect the battery (negative terminal will do).

Take off the dash starting by removing the CD player (Edit: This does not need to be done - sorry). This is done by inserting cut/bent coathanger into the 4 holes, 2 on either side, then pulling the cd player out.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/skylout1169/dash/removecd.JPG


Undo 2 screws, 1 either side of the lighter socket, underneath the compartment/ashtray. Then lift up the plastic surround of the gear stick. There are a few clips that hold it in, use a flatblade screw driver to lever them out a little. MUCH easier with two people.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/skylout1169/dash/removecnt.JPG
http://members.optusnet.com.au/skylout1169/dash/cntremoved.JPG

Not sure if the compartment needs removing, but this is how.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/skylout1169/dash/compartment.JPG

Take 2 screws out at the top of the cluster.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/skylout1169/dash/dash.JPG

Flip down the fuse panel directly under the steering wheel, its held in by a few clips. Undo the 2 screws on the right, and 1 screw on the left.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/skylout1169/dash/fusepanel1.JPG
http://members.optusnet.com.au/skylout1169/dash/fusepanel2.JPG


The dash should pull out from there, but there are a few cables connecting it, so disconnect the cables.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/skylout1169/dash/dashface.JPG

To take apart the AC controls, pull the dials/switches off the face. You may also need to undo one screw each side.. I forget.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/skylout1169/dash/ac.JPG
http://members.optusnet.com.au/skylout1169/dash/removeac.JPG

Just unscrew the globe holders, they twist half a turn from the back. Screw the new ones in. Reverse the procedure to put it all back together. If you need anything else, just ask =)

 

[azman]

Take off the dash starting by removing the CD player (I'm actually not sure if this needs to be removed, clarify someone?). This is done by inserting cut/bent coathanger into the 4 holes, 2 on either side, then pulling the cd player out.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/skylout1169/dash/removecd.JPG

I didn't take the stereo out when I took the panel off, and it clipped out easily enough.

Second time round I did -installed a new head deck- and it was a little easier to pull off so up to you if you want to pull the stereo out or not

 

[myberlina]

Even if you have to take the head unit out, it isn't too hard if you have the right part.

Coat hanger works nicely when shaped properly