Topic: Gauge cluster is done, quick question on other lights...

[saintmaniac]

I have the gauge cluster done, nice blue leds!!

I plan on doing the rest of the switches.  AC/Heater controls, light controls, window/door locks. 

QUESTION.  I have plenty of 5mm LEDs and 470 resistors.  Can I use the same size LEDS or will I need to get smaller LEDS and resistors to complete the install??

[MonstaMonsta]

I've done all my lights with those 5mm LEDs except the gauge cluster.  I've got 2002 Avy and saw somewhere that the bulbs are replaceable in the 02s. So I left hat till I can figure it out.

I used 5mm LEDs for the led controls and the switches and everything...  I wanted white light.. The AC controls sticker is tinted blued...   :( So my AC controls are a strange shade of turquoise. You can do everything using the 5mm LEDs but I dont recommend it.  They're large and hard to fit, plus they don't disperse the light in the right directions they only shoot it straight foward, I sanded down the rounded tips bt am not sure if it helped any.  my rear window switches are Extremely bright at night. The only things in the car that are tinted blue like the AC controls are the AC controls and the 4wd selector. The headlight switch is white for some reason. Also, be warned, they leds dont seem to respond to the dimmer wheel... they will dim but not a whole lot... kinda like a on off thing.

[saintmaniac]

I've done all my lights with those 5mm LEDs except the gauge cluster.  I've got 2002 Avy and saw somewhere that the bulbs are replaceable in the 02s. So I left hat till I can figure it out.

I used 5mm LEDs for the led controls and the switches and everything...  I wanted white light.. The AC controls sticker is tinted blued...   :( So my AC controls are a strange shade of turquoise. You can do everything using the 5mm LEDs but I dont recommend it.  They're large and hard to fit, plus they don't disperse the light in the right directions they only shoot it straight foward, I sanded down the rounded tips bt am not sure if it helped any.  my rear window switches are Extremely bright at night. The only things in the car that are tinted blue like the AC controls are the AC controls and the 4wd selector. The headlight switch is white for some reason. Also, be warned, they leds dont seem to respond to the dimmer wheel... they will dim but not a whole lot... kinda like a on off thing.

Awesome info, much appreciated!  How did you figure the + and -?  Did you use 470 resistors?

They do point straight forward in the gauge also.  I have to move 2 of the lights slightly as I have bright spots.  As long as they are positioned right, it disperses good.  I am assuming same thing for a/c controls.

I want to do the steering wheel lights in led, but no way will 5mm led fit in there.

[saintmaniac]

I've done all my lights with those 5mm LEDs except the gauge cluster.  I've got 2002 Avy and saw somewhere that the bulbs are replaceable in the 02s. So I left hat till I can figure it out.

I used 5mm LEDs for the led controls and the switches and everything...  I wanted white light.. The AC controls sticker is tinted blued...   :( So my AC controls are a strange shade of turquoise. You can do everything using the 5mm LEDs but I dont recommend it.  They're large and hard to fit, plus they don't disperse the light in the right directions they only shoot it straight foward, I sanded down the rounded tips bt am not sure if it helped any.  my rear window switches are Extremely bright at night. The only things in the car that are tinted blue like the AC controls are the AC controls and the 4wd selector. The headlight switch is white for some reason. Also, be warned, they leds dont seem to respond to the dimmer wheel... they will dim but not a whole lot... kinda like a on off thing.

How did you get the old bulbs off and new ones on?

[MonstaMonsta]

Sorry SaintManiac just noticed your post.

I dont know what resistors were used. I bought them pre-wired.  I'll try to take a picture of the resistor if it helps. I'm not 100% sure they even need the resistor - I cant be sure, I have only read on other boards that there should be a resistor.  I'm sure someone else with better knowledge ont he subject will chime in here on this.

I figured out the + and - by taking the part i was working on and touching the two LED wires until the thing lit...  and once back in the house... if I forgot which is which... I'd have to go back...    yea not exactly very smart-way of doing it but I got em all done eventually.

Before you start, I recommend you use a different LED then the 5mm.  You will have A LOT of trouble with the front window switches. Theyre very tight. If I wasnt so hard headed and parts were easier for me to come acrross I wouldve looked into the "Surface mount" LEDs the much smaller flat ones that are much brighter AND disperse the light more.

I ended up just crushing the old little lights off at first then after realizing I could use the solder gun to remove them I'd use the solder gun and remove them without ruining them.  Though I doubt I'll ever go back to filament bulbs.

[saintmaniac]

I think I will order the flat mount LEDs for the windows.  Now, I started on the AC controls...and I am stuck.  All of a sudden, only 2 of the lights work.  I tried a 2nd LED but nothing happened.  I'm thinking I messed up something...so only 2 lights work.  I didn't even try to mess with the rest of the lights until I figured what is going on.