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

[emelianenkov]

Awesome. Alex, you're the best.

Well aware thanks bud

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Yeah, will be sure to disconnect the battery if I decide to take off the audio controls.

You guys that have taken out the gauge cluster, is it necessary to remove the lower part of the dash first to remove the trim around the cluster?

Yep, just follow the guide on the first page of this thread

 

[emelianenkov]

Yep, just follow the guide on the first page of this thread

Already explained it to him

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Already explained it to him

Chill dude, just pointing out the fact that there's a diy guide in this thread with pictures

 

[emelianenkov]

Chill dude, just pointing out the fact that there's a diy guide in this thread with pictures

Not coping an attitude. Just stating that if you hadn't seen it.... Jeeze

 

[00328]

Thanks guys.
Been quite some time since I've looked at P.1 and when I did I didn't really pay a whole lot of attention to it because at the time I wasn't planning on changing anything.
But yeah, all the info is there.

 

[mako88sb]

Just to give you an idea, you can set an airbag off with two AA batteries. That's how little power they need to go BOOM! So always disconnect the battery before performing electrical work, particularly near airbag systems. Luckily for you, the 4Runner is not like a Mercedes where the steering lock is electronic and you NEED to keep the car connected just to get the wheel turned to access the torx bolts securing the airbag when you replace a clock spring on them!

I was trying to find out some info about what causes accidental airbag deployment and it seems the most common reason is installation of aftermarket equipment. Of course as you pointed out, disconnecting the battery eliminates the problem. I also found a couple different sites where they mention prolonged exposure to very dusty or very wet conditions can accidentally set airbags off. Just wondering if you heard anything about that? I tried to find more specific info but no luck.

 

[emelianenkov]

I was trying to find out some info about what causes accidental airbag deployment and it seems the most common reason is installation of aftermarket equipment. Of course as you pointed out, disconnecting the battery eliminates the problem. I also found a couple different sites where they mention prolonged exposure to very dusty or very wet conditions can accidentally set airbags off. Just wondering if you heard anything about that? I tried to find more specific info but no luck.

Water makes sense because it is a conductor. Not too sure about dust.

 

[mako88sb]

Water makes sense because it is a conductor. Not too sure about dust.

I'm not sure about the dust either but is it possible under windy conditions for the chance of a static electricity discharge? I was just curious how many instances of accidental deployment occurred for both conditions. Surely there must be stats for that somewhere.

What I was mainly looking for is if there was any recorded instances of an airbag going off from simply removing the center cluster to replace the 2 lights for the clock, MPG & temp readout. My Haynes manual has the dire warning about disabling the airbag but the searches I done here seem to indicate it's not really necessary. They all describe it as a 10 min job with no one mentioning they disabled the airbag. I understand it's probably just a safety precaution but if there have been instances of the airbag going off doing this simple fix, I would like to know about them.

 

[CookieRoe]

I'm not sure about the dust either but is it possible under windy conditions for the chance of a static electricity discharge? I was just curious how many instances of accidental deployment occurred for both conditions. Surely there must be stats for that somewhere.

What I was mainly looking for is if there was any recorded instances of an airbag going off from simply removing the center cluster to replace the 2 lights for the clock, MPG & temp readout. My Haynes manual has the dire warning about disabling the airbag but the searches I done here seem to indicate it's not really necessary. They all describe it as a 10 min job with no one mentioning they disabled the airbag. I understand it's probably just a safety precaution but if there have been instances of the airbag going off doing this simple fix, I would like to know about them.

Huh?? I would say 0. Airbags just don't go off due to atmospheric conditions. If so, they simply wouldn't work. Regarding Haynes, No, just them (lawyers) protecting thier a$$es. No way removing the HVAC would trigger the bag to go off. The airbag light on the HVAC "console" is connected to the airbag circuitry, not the airbag itself (if that makes sense). I've taken my center console, dashboard and gauges out MANY times. I've taken the airbag off once, but I disconnected the battery and let it sit for 10 minutes before removing the airbag itself. Anyway, take your dash apart without being concerned. I'm sure 99% of us do without even thinking of the bags (both of them, in some cases all of them) b/c there is no possibility of them exploding.

 

[mako88sb]

Huh?? I would say 0. Airbags just don't go off due to atmospheric conditions. If so, they simply wouldn't work. Regarding Haynes, No, just them (lawyers) protecting thier a$$es. No way removing the HVAC would trigger the bag to go off. The airbag light on the HVAC "console" is connected to the airbag circuitry, not the airbag itself (if that makes sense). I've taken my center console, dashboard and gauges out MANY times. I've taken the airbag off once, but I disconnected the battery and let it sit for 10 minutes before removing the airbag itself. Anyway, take your dash apart without being concerned. I'm sure 99% of us do without even thinking of the bags (both of them, in some cases all of them) b/c there is no possibility of them exploding.

Okay, thanks. I figured it would be fine but just wanted to double check.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Anyone have any information or threads about how to change the ignition ring light?

 

[emelianenkov]

Anyone have any information or threads about how to change the ignition ring light?

I can't find the source haha

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Do you have any helpful info? Do you know if it's a bulb or an LED? Trying to find anything I can. Also, how come you didn't do the air bag light on my HVAC cluster? What's involved with changing that?

 

[emelianenkov]

Do you have any helpful info? Do you know if it's a bulb or an LED? Trying to find anything I can. Also, how come you didn't do the air bag light on my HVAC cluster? What's involved with changing that?

It's an led but I've tried to get to it without success.

Does the airbag thing light up or no? I thought I changed it to white...

 

[97BlackAckCL]

It's an led but I've tried to get to it without success.

Does the airbag thing light up or no? I thought I changed it to white...

The airbag lights up bright orange whenever the headlights are on hwell:

It drives me nuts

 

[97BlackAckCL]

The airbag lights up bright orange whenever the headlights are on hwell:

It drives me nuts

There's the orange, are they the same SMD as the gauges/steering wheel?

 

[emelianenkov]

There's the orange, are they the same SMD as the gauges/steering wheel?

No it's a TINY little LED. I'm sorry, I thought I did that. I can do it for you when I do your 4x4 switch

 

[JDSupreme]

didn't do mine either...you told me you couldn't safely get to it tho.

so u can now?

 

[emelianenkov]

didn't do mine either...you told me you couldn't safely get to it tho.

so u can now?

Yeah. New LEDs and practice on my spare hvac cluster, plus experience working on radios now