I'm thinking of changing the green lights in the dash (under the air controls) on my '95 GXE. I've taken everything apart and looked at the circuit board, and the LEDs look like special diffuse LEDs and not your standard 5mm ones. I was wondering if anyone else has done this and knows what voltages and/or types of LEDs I will need to replace these green lights.

Any help is much appreciated - I hate green!!

 

Anyone? Bueller?

 

Ok I have just done this on my 97, only because they were all out. Well they are all clear with only a "blue" rubber cover on them. If you want you can take the covers off and it would be clear. Now I don't think you can just buy new covers or bulbs that are a different color. To take the bulbs out you need a philips head screw driver, the back of the bulb is a plastic philips head screw.
If you need or want to ask anything else go for it I will be happy to answer anything else about this subject or anything else I can help with.

David

 

I did this. You can see pics of the results on my home page. The bulbs do have plastic cover that you can remove. I then painted the bulbs with "clear red" paint from a hobby shop. Lots of coats...

 

There are some subtle differences between the 95 and 97 models. The LEDs may not be as dmbrazilian described for your car.

If the LED bulbs are not flush mounted, they'll be easy to replace. If they are flush to the PC board, it'll be a tough job. I haven't taken my climate controls apart yet, but might do so if my new stereo installation doesn't cure my lighting problem. If I do this, I'll post my results on the forum.

 

Thanks for the input, guys. Here is what I can tell you before opening up the panel again:

The 95 is in fact different from the 97- its LEDs don't screw in, they are soldered onto the circuit board. When I looked at them (not terribly closely) it appeared as though the glass were colored (ie. no rubber/plastic covers), although I'm probably wrong since "mzmtg" seems to know what he's talking about. Also, they are not flush-mounted, they actually stick out about a centimeter (rough approximation from memory).

"mzmtg"... your homepage doesn't come up! I'd like to see the pics, so let me know when it's up again!

Thanks again,

Speebs

 

the process is the same for the 96-up for sure, cause my friends got a 96 and it was the same for the bulbs...as long as you have the automatic climate control. Now the bulbs are a little different in length but thats it. Now if you have the regular manual ac unit then thats a different story.

 

i just took my climate control out because im either replacing or repairing the bose. none of the lights work on temp control, and my question is just if i can replace the bulbs, but how?? and where... mine is a 95, and im having enough problems just trying to pull the climate control apart. im in need of some help and info. i cant bear not to have lights anymore, its hard to see at night

Hall

 

I have a 95 as well. I've replaced the LED bulbs in my door window switches, and I imagine it is very similar to the work needed in the automatic climate control unit (based on what Speebs said). All you need to do is apply a soldering iron to loosen the existing solder, then pull the old bulb out. Install the new bulb by melting the solder long enough to get the leads in. But first, you should trouble shoot the exact problem.

I'm thinking the easiest way to try this is by a) removing the front panel of the automatic climate control, b) reinserting the DIN plugs, c) turning on the light switch, and finally d) placing a working LED bulb on the contacts of one of the existing bulbs. If the new bulb lights up, your currently installed bulb is blown. Otherwise there is simply no current going to the bulbs (which means the dimmer switch or some other circuit problem).

 

Alright, I'm almost ready to do this. I have a couple of questions, though.

1) does anyone know what voltage/type of LED I need to replace the existing ones

2) Are there any lights behind the buttons (not the green ones under the buttons)? I got the car used and they never lit up, so I assumed there were no lights; however, when I took the thing apart, there's a tiny little incandescent bulb with a blue rubber cover over it. Is it supposed to light up the buttons?

3) Exact same question as #2, but for the Cruise Control button (not the green light, that one works fine).

Just to refresh your memory, I have a 95 auto GLE.

-Speebs

 

Okay, I realize now that the climate control buttons are supposed to be illuminated from behind. Assuming the bulb blew, does anyone know where I can get a replacement? They are TINY TINY things and I'm not sure how to find out about replacement.

 

Radio shack has them for about 1.50 for 2 of them...

 

That's awesome, ther'es a Radio Shack 2 minutes from my house. But, WHAT ARE THEY?? =)

 

I'm pretty sure they are 12v, or at least the one I got was. The ones I got had long uncovered wires on them. But I have the 97' and I guess they are different from the 95 from what some of the guys are saying. But I'm sure they will have the ones you need up there. What I would do since they are soldered on there is take the whole unit up there to match up the bulbs.

 

Oh.. I thought you were talking about the little incandescent bulbs that light up the actual buttons (not the lights underneath). Thanks for the info on the LEDs, though!

-Speebs

 

Also.. for whoever it was that painted his bulbs- what kind of paint did you use? I'm not confident that I'll choose paint that won't melt or burn or something.

Thx

 

I'm pretty sure all of the bulbs in the center and dash consoles are LEDs, except for the ashtray light. You can find all of them at Radio Shack.

I don't have the code numbers with me (I'm not at home right now). But if you search this forum using keywords 'Radio Shack', I think you'll come up with a bunch of postings, some of which mention the bulb numbers. If I remember later tonight, I'll post my list. I think the part number is 72119. Some of these LEDs are 12V, 5V, 3.5V, and 2.8V. They'll all work in various places.

Link to door switch conversion:
http://web.csuchico.edu/~ggross/LED.html

 

The lights behind the A/C switches are not LEDs, they are a twist in bulb, at least on my 95, that looks completely different that most things I have seen. Mzmtg listed the part number and everything from Radio Shack a few months back, and even posted directions on taking the panels apart and everything. You can't really use LEDs for this application as the viewing angle is not great enough. There are only 3 bulbs behind there that light everything up and you need something with a wide viewing angle, which a conventional LED doesn't have. Best bet would be to take the bulbs out, remove the cover and then paint it if you want it something different like mzmtg said. . . I know you would want a translucent paint, but I am not sure which brands should be used.

 

There seems to be a lot of confusion. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

I have two completely separate questions:

1) What type/voltage LEDs would I need to replace the GREEN LEDs that are used for the LIGHTS UNDER THE AIR CONTROL BUTTONS?


(notice separation)


2) What type/voltage INCANDESCENT bulb would I need to replace the WHITE LIGHTS that illuminate the BUTTONS themselves? These bulbs are tiny and have little blue covers on them.


thanks in advance

 

Don't know, but I would assume at least 5V


You can only replace them with the white bulbs as they are the only type made from my understanding, these are the ones that you should paint. As for voltage, I have no clue, but for part number, ask mzmtg he would be the only one that knows more than likely. I just know not to get them from the dealer as they quoted him like $3/bulb to replace them.

 

Thanks man, I appreciate it