HOW-TO: The Penultimate Climate Control LED mod!!!
05-08-2006, 04:50 PM
#1
HOW-TO: The Penultimate Climate Control LED mod!!!
Good luck!
(1) Take your climate control out. If I need to explain to you how this is done, STOP READING.
(2) The climate control can be dissasembled by removing all of the screws you see. There will be six in total. Then just pry the clips off.
(3) Pull the circutboard out VERY CAREFULLY. Take your time with this step. You run the risk of permanently ruining your CC if you mess this up. As you pull, you will see the buttons press in. Pull them out as you go along. Disconnect the slider wires from the board.
(4) With the board exposed, all you need to do is cut off the old LEDs, and solder new ones on for the buttons. Just cut the LEDs to match the SAME TOTAL HEIGHT (bulb + leads). 5mm LEDs will fit with NO ISSUES.
(5) Now, pull the plastic light diffuser out. Cut the first square off. You will know what I mean when you see it. You will then need to notch the left and right side to allow for the Superflux LEDs to fit. Put a small drop of glue to attach the LED to the acrylic.
(6) Cut leads for the LEDs into the acrylic. You will be wiring (+) to (-), so cut and wire accordingly. I did an array of 4, then 2, then 2.
(7) For the switch, cut the head off of a 5mm LED and stick it in. Glue it in.
(8) Cut off the acrylic diffuser for the ****, and use a router to cut out the protective cover.
(9) Bend the LED leads and wire it. Don't forget a resistor.
(10) Put the diffusers back in and test. The buttons SHOULD NOT BE EFFECTED BY THE LEDS!!! Put electrical tape all around the diffusers or wire it such that no leads are exposed.
Put everything back together and wire it up. ENJOY!
(1) Take your climate control out. If I need to explain to you how this is done, STOP READING.
(2) The climate control can be dissasembled by removing all of the screws you see. There will be six in total. Then just pry the clips off.
(3) Pull the circutboard out VERY CAREFULLY. Take your time with this step. You run the risk of permanently ruining your CC if you mess this up. As you pull, you will see the buttons press in. Pull them out as you go along. Disconnect the slider wires from the board.
(4) With the board exposed, all you need to do is cut off the old LEDs, and solder new ones on for the buttons. Just cut the LEDs to match the SAME TOTAL HEIGHT (bulb + leads). 5mm LEDs will fit with NO ISSUES.
(5) Now, pull the plastic light diffuser out. Cut the first square off. You will know what I mean when you see it. You will then need to notch the left and right side to allow for the Superflux LEDs to fit. Put a small drop of glue to attach the LED to the acrylic.
(6) Cut leads for the LEDs into the acrylic. You will be wiring (+) to (-), so cut and wire accordingly. I did an array of 4, then 2, then 2.
(7) For the switch, cut the head off of a 5mm LED and stick it in. Glue it in.
(8) Cut off the acrylic diffuser for the ****, and use a router to cut out the protective cover.
(9) Bend the LED leads and wire it. Don't forget a resistor.
(10) Put the diffusers back in and test. The buttons SHOULD NOT BE EFFECTED BY THE LEDS!!! Put electrical tape all around the diffusers or wire it such that no leads are exposed.
Put everything back together and wire it up. ENJOY!
05-08-2006, 05:37 PM
#5
Hey metal have you ever thought of using SMD's Surface mount Diodes.
Notice Actual size on left side.
http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/smd-0603/
Notice Actual size on left side.
http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/smd-0603/
05-08-2006, 05:54 PM
#6
why did you go through all that trouble? i did the same thing using standard mounts and equipment. But i have one question, what year is your car? i didnt have anything that looked like that optics piece, and i didnt have LEDs to begin with. the face looks the same, but the internals look COMPLETELY different. if this is a 5.5 gen, ill be more than happy to add the 5.0 gen how to on this, cause it is TOTALLY DIFFERENT
05-08-2006, 06:01 PM
#7
Originally Posted by Matt_01SE_20th
why did you go through all that trouble? i did the same thing using standard mounts and equipment. But i have one question, what year is your car? i didnt have anything that looked like that optics piece, and i didnt have LEDs to begin with. the face looks the same, but the internals look COMPLETELY different. if this is a 5.5 gen, ill be more than happy to add the 5.0 gen how to on this, cause it is TOTALLY DIFFERENT
05-08-2006, 06:17 PM
#9
Originally Posted by Metal Maxima
Josh...this was SO not easy, dude. I would not recommend this to ANYONE whom has even a modicum of sanity.
I went the other route, where the LEDs are actually inserted INSIDE the clear plastic grid by drilling holes for them and then securing them with silicone....what a pain!! This way at least looks a LITTLE safer. With the drilling, one small slip and you get a ruined plastic grid piece 
05-08-2006, 07:00 PM
#13
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...881_1_full.jpg
give that a shot
P.S. im an idiot and thought the second post was a continuation of the first. WOOPS. Irish has an auto CC metal has a manual, i still did it differently than irish though. I didnt drill anything. ill take it apart and get a pic in the next few days
give that a shot
P.S. im an idiot and thought the second post was a continuation of the first. WOOPS. Irish has an auto CC metal has a manual, i still did it differently than irish though. I didnt drill anything. ill take it apart and get a pic in the next few days
05-08-2006, 07:03 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,860
Correct me if Im wrong, but that looks like the "regular" CC and not the ACC.
Looks really good though Metal. What kind of LED's you use? They look REALLY bright. Id like to do this, but maybe not quite so bright. Also have to look at the set-up behind the ACC screen.
Looks really good though Metal. What kind of LED's you use? They look REALLY bright. Id like to do this, but maybe not quite so bright. Also have to look at the set-up behind the ACC screen.
05-08-2006, 07:26 PM
#15
IRISH, how did you get the red to go down the bottom(shift boot area)? Ive been trying to think of a way to get the bulb below to convert to an LED (not too hard mind you), but if you dont mind giving up your trade secret id like to know. the resistor in series without cutting the wire is my trouble
05-08-2006, 07:32 PM
#16
Originally Posted by Matt_01SE_20th
IRISH, how did you get the red to go down the bottom(shift boot area)? Ive been trying to think of a way to get the bulb below to convert to an LED (not too hard mind you), but if you dont mind giving up your trade secret id like to know. the resistor in series without cutting the wire is my trouble
05-08-2006, 07:34 PM
#17
Originally Posted by irish44j
same way I did the other part....there are 4 led's inserted "into" the clear plastic grid shining downward (the light bulb is gone, but the wiring for it is what lights up the led's now)....
and also, that optics piece looks different than mine, is that something you made?
05-08-2006, 07:39 PM
#18
Originally Posted by Matt_01SE_20th
where are the resistors?
and also, that optics piece looks different than mine, is that something you made?
and also, that optics piece looks different than mine, is that something you made?
But if I did have to use them, I would have simply put them in-line behind the fascia someplace. Truthfully, I did it so long ago that I don't really remember. I'm not nearly the LED pro that Metal is....I just dabble and experiment occasionally. I blow up as many LEDs and fuses as I use!
05-08-2006, 08:08 PM
#20
Originally Posted by Matt_01SE_20th
12V @ 0.7 per LED = 18
i dont need that many
or is that a 5 volt circuit?
P.S. it is still recomended that you use a resistor.
i dont need that many
or is that a 5 volt circuit?
P.S. it is still recomended that you use a resistor.
05-10-2006, 01:51 PM
#23
Sorry for posting in this thread
MetalMax since you 5th gen cluster guru can you tell me if 2k1's stock gauge faces are swapable? I mean If I can use donor SE cluster in order to replace SE faces over my stock ones. I'd get the whole cluster but don't want to deal with reprogramming miles and stuff. BTW do you know if 2000 cluster carrys the same faces as 2k1?
Thanks. BTW where's pics of brighten 5.5 cluster located.
Thanks. BTW where's pics of brighten 5.5 cluster located.
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