Replacing the interior lights in switches.....

[DrewQ45]

Still want to refurbish the gear shifter switch panel for other people?

Sheeet! I'd have to think twice about that one!!! Using the current dioides, I wouldn't. I'd have to charge an arm and a leg, more than most would want to pay. The problem is that they are not only too large, but too long. Fabricating like a mofo is the name of the game with those.

Btw, I'm done with the console window switches and AC display plus I've done one door switch. It looks wicked!!! I think red is the way to go in a Q. Green is cool too but I'm departing from stock and aiming for that BMW lighting look.
Modified by DrewQ45 at 4:38 PM 4/20/2007

[MinisterofDOOM]

It looks like the LEDS you rigged up will work for my transmission mode switch as well, both lights for which have been dead for some time. I'll have to try this for the replacements. Great thread, Oz!

I haven't touched my sunvisor lights...But if they ever decide to burn out, I would consider buying some 8 LED festoon bulbs from ebay (white), and pulling the end caps off, soldering on some extra wire and then fit to the holding block.Kinda like these.....

http://www.made-in-china.com/i...s.jpg

Assuming the Q uses that same lamp type for the dome light, you can get a multi-LED dome light from these guys:http://www.leddomelight.com

I've got one in the Maxima, and I want to get two more for the map lights. The dome light is BRIGHT and a huge improvement over stock. They are more expensive than the ones you linked to, though, but mine has (I think) 12 LEDs instead of 6.They only list 97-01 Q45s on their site, but if it uses the same lamp that those festoon lights you posted are meant to replace, you should be able to use the same ones I've got in my Max for the G50 (unless the G50 domelight lense is significantly smaller than the Maxima's). They're a whole PCB about the same size as the dome light lense with a separate festoon base that you plug in where the stock lamp goes. The PCB has adhesive on the back to hold in in the dome light surround.

Mine's got a slight blue hue to it, but you can get standard white ones as well.

[DrewQ45]

HVAC, yes. The clock might use larger brighter bulbs. I have a clock laying around so I'll check when I get home later. Don't think LEDs would work too well there since the light really needs to spread.

I was wrong, they will plug right into the clock bulb sockets. Get your creative juices flowing when you do the window switches and HVAC... you'll need it... LOL.

[TBrack]

just won

got off of ebay for $5.99 shipped

[DrewQ45]

got off of ebay for $5.99 shipped

Unbelievable... shipping alone is usally more than that.

I got just about all the lights in my dash switched out and I gotta tell you man..... You might just wanna go with the smaller diodes + resistors like Oz is using. While I think the superbright diodes are way above radio shack plain janes with light delivery, effect etc., their size makes installation a big job.

Otherwise here's what you'll need....

Time (lots of it)Patience (lots of it)Skills... lots of dexterity involvedGood eyesight (lots of it) or a mountable magnifying glass with flex positioning (I got one for six bucks)Soldering iron (pointed tip, smallest you can find)Locking pliers (holds things in place while you solder)DrillTiny flat edge screwdriversMultimeter - used to determine polarity on circuit boards and in switchesA 9 volt battery... tape some speaker wire on the terminals and use for testing diodes.One of nerd lights you strap onto your head. (I can't live without it)A $hitload of other stuff that I can't remember

[TBrack]

Unbelievable... shipping alone is usally more than that.

I got just about all the lights in my dash switched out and I gotta tell you man..... You might just wanna go with the smaller diodes + resistors like Oz is using. While I think the superbright diodes are way above radio shack plain janes with light delivery, effect etc., their size makes installation a big job.

Otherwise here's what you'll need....

Time (lots of it)Patience (lots of it)Skills... lots of dexterity involvedGood eyesight (lots of it) or a mountable magnifying glass with flex positioning (I got one for six bucks)Soldering iron (pointed tip, smallest you can find)Locking pliers (holds things in place while you solder)DrillTiny flat edge screwdriversMultimeter - used to determine polarity on circuit boards and in switchesA 9 volt battery... tape some speaker wire on the terminals and use for testing diodes.One of nerd lights you strap onto your head. (I can't live without it)A $hitload of other stuff that I can't remember

Yea I'm still not so sure I want to be modding this stuff myself. Making a pcb is one thing, doing this is out of my league... I'll just keep trying to find plug in bulbs I think

[DrewQ45]

Yea I'm still not so sure I want to be modding this stuff myself. Making a pcb is one thing, doing this is out of my league... I'll just keep trying to find plug in bulbs I think

Didn't mean to scare you... it's not difficult in a technical sense. Just tedious as hell. For windows switches, HVAC there are no simple "plug in" options. You either wire diodes onto the stock bases, or solder directly to the connectors. With the LEDs from superbright, the only option I saw was to solder.

[TBrack]

How about I just send you my clock and hvac and let you do it jk

[DrewQ45]

Anything can be had.... for a price... Seriously, if you need it done LMK. I think the second time around might be easier.

I actually have extra window switches which I could convert and send to you, then you just send me yours. I also have a 94 HVAC... hmmm?

I'll take some pics of the final results and you can tell me if you like...I work messy but the outcome is always good...LOL



I use heat sinks when soldering to maximize component (diode) life.



..Drew...

[TBrack]

Yea I would pay you to trade me out if you are up to it. I just don't want you to end up doing 20 rounds of this for other members out of obligation, ya know?

The only thing I would want is the clock and hvac I think... I would have to see pics of the window switches and shifter lights before I did those.

[DrewQ45]

The clock is simple, unplug standard incandescent, plug in led. The HVAC is a different story. I'll have pics up later on.

[DrewQ45]

Yea I would pay you to trade me out if you are up to it. I just don't want you to end up doing 20 rounds of this for other members out of obligation, ya know?

The only thing I would want is the clock and hvac I think... I would have to see pics of the window switches and shifter lights before I did those.

LOL... Not a problem... The clock is a simple plug in deal. The HVAC is another story.

[DrewQ45]

Yea I would pay you to trade me out if you are up to it. I just don't want you to end up doing 20 rounds of this for other members out of obligation, ya know?

The only thing I would want is the clock and hvac I think... I would have to see pics of the window switches and shifter lights before I did those.

LOL... I'll be a Nico HO....

I'll have pics up soon. I haven't done the shifter lights yet. The clock is a simple plug in deal. The HVAC is another story.

[lino]

Drew, do you like the rain, your wiper blades, are you in the wiper blade business, does it rain alot where you are? That avatar always makes me look outside everytime I see it to see if its raining and makes me check the local weather forecast.

[lino]

I think red is the way to go in a Q. Green is cool too but I'm departing from stock and aiming for that BMW lighting look.

I have always like the BMW lighting best of any car I've ever owned. It's the most soothing in my opinion.

[DrewQ45]

I have always like the BMW lighting best of any car I've ever owned. It's the most soothing in my opinion.

Sorry about the double post earlier folks... I was at work and thought my 1st post didn't make it.

Lino... the BMW red illuminated interior has always been my favorite. It's very soothing...just like the rain. Ever stood in the window hypnotized when it's pouring?

PS... I'm in Hotlanta... no rain here... They've tightened water restrictions just this week.

[Ozzie]

Hahahaha, people want you to do it for them now!Have fun!

[TBrack]

I would pick you ozzie but shipping would make it unreasonable.

[Ozzie]

The bulb holders can be sent in an envelope, about the same price as sending a letter....I haven't changed my HVAC display either, as I went with the green...I assume the whole unit needs to be opened to change that.... So get Drew to do that part for you

As I have said earlier... If I could get hold of some spare holders, then I could do an exchange..... I refurbish a set, then send them off. Once recieved, they get installed, and the ones removed from your car get sent back to me...

[TBrack]

I'll send you all my little holders if you can do it. Post pix of what yours look like!

[lino]

Ever stood in the window hypnotized when it's pouring?

Many years ago and I enjoyed it, but I don't like it on my windshield so I use Rain X to prevent it and the last thing I need is the additional Q-expense of having to replace my wipers with every oil change, judging the rate of usage in your avatar

[Ozzie]

[Ozzie]

I'll send you all my little holders if you can do it. Post pix of what yours look like!

If you mean what they look like before installing, I can't.....(as described earlier)

If you want pics of them once they are installed, then look back to the first page of this thread.....

[DrewQ45]

Hahahaha, people want you to do it for them now!Have fun!

I know right? Oz, I didn't use a single base... I saved them all and will ship them to you in a letter.

Time to whore out some pics. I tried my best but I'm no photgrapher so none of you beyotches better complain

To be honest. Pictures don't do this mod justice, you have to see it for yourself. Due to extended exposure, the red might seem a bit glowy, but trust me, it's sharp to the naked eyes. Lemme know what you think...










Modified by DrewQ45 at 7:38 PM 4/20/2007

[Ozzie]

Same as mine.... the pics come out looking like the lights are too bright, but they are actually just right when you see them for yourself in person....

[lino]

Exactly the look I want! Shifter is next Did you do anything with the cluster?

[DrewQ45]

Exactly the look I want! Shifter is next Did you do anything with the cluster?

Not yet. There are three main bulbs in the cluster. I won't be using LEDs for those. For the shifter, I may use 2 leds strung together.

Wish y'all could see it in person... it's a nice reddish amber glow...the pics do it no justice.

[TBrack]

Not yet. There are three main bulbs in the cluster. I won't be using LEDs for those. For the shifter, I may use 2 leds strung together.

Wish y'all could see it in person... it's a nice reddish amber glow...the pics do it no justice.

ACTUALLY I think it would be a great idea to use leds in the cluster... If you look at Lexus they have a super white appearance and that can only be acceived (in such a small space) with LEDs. SO after some searching on that bulb site I found this...



PERFECT for gauge cluster. I just bought a set of 3 along with some other lights.

[Ozzie]

Those 5 LED white T-10 bulbs (wedge bulbs), are now in all the interior lights inside my car, ashtrays, floor lights, door courtesy lights, rear map lights..(The main interior lights are festoon bulbs, and the front map lights are bayonet caps)Also my front parkers, and number plate lights too.

So the gauge cluster takes 3 T-10 bulbs?

If so, this is the exact info I have been looking for since I upgraded my interior lighting (didn't want to have to pull apart the dash to find out how many I needed, then re-assemble it, order the bulbs, then pull it apart again once they arrived to install them.....)

Time to order some more bulbs I think

[TBrack]

Those 5 LED white T-10 bulbs (wedge bulbs), are now in all the interior lights inside my car, ashtrays, floor lights, door courtesy lights, rear map lights..(The main interior lights are festoon bulbs, and the front map lights are bayonet caps)

So the gauge cluster takes 3 T-10 bulbs?

If so, this is the exact info I have been looking for since I upgraded my interior lighting (didn't want to have to pull apart the dash to find out how many I needed, then re-assemble it, order the bulbs, then pull it apart again once they arrived to install them.....)

Time to order some more bulbs I think

Yep I took it all apart yesterday and found out its just a simple wedge base bulb for the main cluster. The rest seem to resemble the clock but they are 14v according to the bulbs. (talking about the info display not the warning lights)