DIY: Interior LED swap (cluster, HVAC, switches, window, *steering wheel)

[mizak82]

The lighting on the HVAC and the dash cluster are just frustrating. Barely readable either way and always way too dark. I wish I had better soldering skills


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I think you build up to it in the process.. Half is plug ins.. but in order to get better at it each one will be a smaller version of the same project..

do the door first, its one bulb.. you remove the first LED by heating the back side solder and prying it out of the two holes then insert new LED and solder back on.. that will lead you up to the HVAC indicator dials.. Which is the same process middle dial has 2 bulbs, other two i think 4 or 5 .. Then do the steering wheel it is 3 small leds, which at first looks tougher than it is being they are so small.. but you almost just scrape them of the board once the solder holding them on melts.. (re tin the pads on the board), heat up one side and place the led down, then heat up the other side of the led w solder.. If that works, you are now ready for the instrument cluster.. be careful taking apart.. but this process is the same as the steering wheel.. and by the time you are there you have already got at least decent with a solder gun..

The Instrument cluster is a must, knowing what I know today.. But good luck

 

[magert54]

Purchase UPDATE*****************

I just received the Neo3 and Neo4 from the website suggested. They work great, as mentioned on previous posts you may have to shave, sand or cut the acrylic tips of the LED's to ensure they fit inside some of the switches.

http://www.wardenjp.com/stores/neowedge.html

for 10 USD ill take the chance. Ill let you know the results.

 

[mizak82]

I did the 12v mod for neo4 hp bulbs.

Pretty simple. Separate the positives on the LEDs. Solder wire to them. Run to a 12 volt source. I chose my accessory wire on my head units wiring harness. I used a male/female connector so I could remove it easier.

I originally tapped into the hvac wiring harness but wasn't sure which wire. (Always thought red or yellow was 12v) but I wasn't getting anything. So I moved to the wiring harness where I knew the 12v was coming from. I ended up getting the pos/neg backwards on the led like a dope. So when I had it wired it wasn't doing anything. Swapped the sides of the LEDs and viola.

In hindsight, a Multi meter would of probably helped.

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[S p a r k y]

I just received the Neo3 and Neo4 from the website suggested. They work great, as mentioned on previous posts you may have to shave, sand or cut the acrylic tips of the LED's to ensure they fit inside some of the switches.

Neo Wedge

Obviously you ordered and used the ones with acrylic tips, why not the ones without tips? Are they 12v? Or?

 

[magert54]

They are the 6v ones just like stock. no mod needed

 

[Cisco Kid]

For you guys that are doing the reverse polarizing film on the HVAC screen, has anyone tried one of the COB led modules? Something like this.

White 2X12V LED COB Strip Daytime Running Fog Light Driving Lamp DRL Waterproof | eBay

These are too long for the screen but a shorter module could probably be found. These would eliminate the hot spots with individual leds.

 

[mizak82]

Can anyone tell me why the lights on my steering wheel control is so light? I replaced the LEDs with the same ones from the instrument cluster. It's only bright if I hold the mode button down. Other than that you can barely see them.


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[CookieRoe]

Can anyone tell me why the lights on my steering wheel control is so light? I replaced the LEDs with the same ones from the instrument cluster. It's only bright if I hold the mode button down. Other than that you can barely see them.


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Happened to me too. I hate it. BUT, i believe if you change the resistor on the LED, you CAN make it brighter. I'd love for mine to be brighter orange.

 

[hrjaw]

I just received the Neo3 and Neo4 from the website suggested. They work great, as mentioned on previous posts you may have to shave, sand or cut the acrylic tips of the LED's to ensure they fit inside some of the switches.

Neo Wedge

which ones did you order? i want to do this to my 07 sport.
thanks,
Roger

 

[magert54]

2pcs T3/T5 Neo Wedge LED bulbs (White)

 

[magert54]

Update!

Thanks to [MENTION=30225]yosh2000[/MENTION] for this awesome product. All I had to do was paint the needles blue and plug everything back in.

 

[CookieRoe]

Thanks to [MENTION=30225]yosh2000[/MENTION] for this awesome product. All I had to do was paint the needles blue and plug everything back in.

NIce! very clean!

 

[emelianenkov]

Neo4 bulbs will swap right in. the Neo4HP bulbs require modification to work. still waiting for [MENTION=63211]emelianenkov[/MENTION] to help everyone out and post how to do "his" 12v mod...not holding my breath though...

Trade secret, why share?

 

[yosh2000]

Trade secret, why share?

trade secret on a 4runner electrical mod...c'mon man, were not sending stuff to the moon here...

i thought this forum is about sharing info and helping each other out, guess if you want to tight hole everyone, shows your true character.

 

[USMCEngineer]

12V Mod

I was able to get mine to work behind the HVAC by tapping into a wire on the loom that goes high when I turned on my headlights. I used a meter to find it. It was awhile ago so I don't remember which one. I used a Positap to tap the wire and run to the two LEDS. I pulled the positive leads of the LEDs out so it didn't contact the circuit board anymore and soldered it to a wire and then connected that wire to the positap. You have to leave the ground wire connected to the circuit board. It has something to do with the way the electronics work, a little over my head if I remember correctly.

 

[USMCEngineer]

here it is

This might help.

I used this method to get the Neo 4 HP white bulbs in my info display and it worked great. I ended up using the green wire with silver striping for my 12V source. The wire is on the top row, second wire from the passenger side with the white connector oriented the way it is when it is connected to the HVAC. I have a 04 sport and the inner contacts were also the positive side of the board. I just soldered wires to the positive lead on the LEDs, and then taped up the exposed area. I then used a posi-tap to tap into the 12V wire. I feel this is better than using a regular inline tap or soldering since they just screw together and can be unscrewed and screwed back together as many times as you like. I'll post another picture when I get a chance of the 12V wire I used.

http://www.amazon.com/Posi-tap-Connector-20-22-Gauge-Wire/dp/B00389UT3I
http://www.amazon.com/Partsam-White-Climate-Heater-Switch/dp/B00KVXTSEK

 

[USMCEngineer]

Trade secret, why share?

Neener Neener Neeeeeeener!

 

[yosh2000]

I was able to get mine to work behind the HVAC by tapping into a wire on the loom that goes high when I turned on my headlights. I used a meter to find it. It was awhile ago so I don't remember which one. I used a Positap to tap the wire and run to the two LEDS. I pulled the positive leads of the LEDs out so it didn't contact the circuit board anymore and soldered it to a wire and then connected that wire to the positap. You have to leave the ground wire connected to the circuit board. It has something to do with the way the electronics work, a little over my head if I remember correctly.

i think it has to do with something with the toyotas being negatively switched? i remember on my '98 tacoma, on a signal mod, i had to mess with the grounds in order for it to get to work. search toyota negative switch and it may shed more light

thanks for sharing with everyone!!

 

[vastano]

I just received the Neo3 and Neo4 from the website suggested. They work great, as mentioned on previous posts you may have to shave, sand or cut the acrylic tips of the LED's to ensure they fit inside some of the switches.

Neo Wedge

So the T4s from this site worked fine in the HVAC display?

 

[S p a r k y]

So the T4s from this site worked fine in the HVAC display?

Yes, worked great for me, [MENTION=63543]CrimsonCountry[/MENTION] has them as well. I suggest a different color than white. White looks more brown in the hvac