Drop-in LED instrument cluster lighting for 5.5 owners. Finally found one that works!
#601
#606
So yes, if your budget is a strict $10 and you want to slightly improve your interior lighting then by all means hit the local auto parts store. If you want to drastically improve your lighting, customize colors and not have to buy new ones every year or two: Spend a few extra bucks and get some LEDs.
#609
#610
Sincerest thanks to SeedyROM for this thread. I got my interior (instument panel, CC, and all other lights) done minus the map light which is on it's way, and the interior of my car looks incredible!
Now to figure out a way to get the lights for the radio controls fixed.
Now to figure out a way to get the lights for the radio controls fixed.
#611
As for the map lights what size were the bases? ba9?
#613
Here's some info on what looks to be a replacement bulb for the OE bulb http://forums.maxima.org/8048831-post332.html I haven't bought these yet.. still wondering if there's any huge interest for me to get some comparison photos.
#614
ALTERNATIVE BULB!
Has anyone checked out the V-LEDs? I have been wanting to replace my warm white cluster with the cool white bulbs so I compared the competition. SBLED rates their HP3 bulb at 8200k and VLED has two cool white versions at 5000k and 6000k. Those might be a better alternative for those who want less blue hue.
The 8200ks might act as if they are slightly brighter because they produce a more blue light so more of the light is passed through the blue tint on the backside of the gauges.
EDIT: Found other bulbs.
These new bulbs i found on ebay have two more SMDs on the side of the bulb than SUPERBRIGHTLEDs or VLEDs do. They come in a cool white color but there is no "K" kelvin rating on them. I figured the extra light will make the guages brighter and less hot spotted.
(for future reference to make any future installs less painful, Take a 9v battery to the LED and mark down which side of the bulb is positive with a red marker. When you install the LEDs in the gauges, after you twist the holders in, make sure the positive side of the bulb is facing upwards toward the windshield and all the bulbs should light up first try)
Here is what the new bulbs look like compared to SuperBrightLED WarmWhites (3mm longer)
Here is what the warm whites looked like installed. (I tried to take the most color correct photos an iPhone can provide.)
More closely resembles the lighting on the stock BOSE buttons.
And what the new bulbs look like installed. Compare the guages in this photo to the clock and radio screens of the previous photo.
Closer color to the clock mod but not absolutely perfect. Only slightly dim spots i can find are at 20Mph and 7000RPM. I cant want to see how they look in the early morning and afternoon light tomorrow.
The clock and BOSE screens were color modded using one layer of the same pink PVC that Rochester found. The ACC is using cool white NEO4-HP from SuperBrightLEDs. The SuperbrightLEDs gauge lights pushed the contacts of the bulb holders outward so they didnt hold they new, skinnier, bulbs securely. With a small screwdriver you can correct this by gently pushing the tabs into place to hold the bulb.
The eBay listing is called "2x T5 74 5-SMD SMT LED White car bulb"
Here's a link to the current Buy It Now.
The seller is in California, got the bulbs to me very quickly with tracking, and ships worldwide (except to Nigeria).
The 8200ks might act as if they are slightly brighter because they produce a more blue light so more of the light is passed through the blue tint on the backside of the gauges.
EDIT: Found other bulbs.
These new bulbs i found on ebay have two more SMDs on the side of the bulb than SUPERBRIGHTLEDs or VLEDs do. They come in a cool white color but there is no "K" kelvin rating on them. I figured the extra light will make the guages brighter and less hot spotted.
(for future reference to make any future installs less painful, Take a 9v battery to the LED and mark down which side of the bulb is positive with a red marker. When you install the LEDs in the gauges, after you twist the holders in, make sure the positive side of the bulb is facing upwards toward the windshield and all the bulbs should light up first try)
Here is what the new bulbs look like compared to SuperBrightLED WarmWhites (3mm longer)
Here is what the warm whites looked like installed. (I tried to take the most color correct photos an iPhone can provide.)
More closely resembles the lighting on the stock BOSE buttons.
And what the new bulbs look like installed. Compare the guages in this photo to the clock and radio screens of the previous photo.
Closer color to the clock mod but not absolutely perfect. Only slightly dim spots i can find are at 20Mph and 7000RPM. I cant want to see how they look in the early morning and afternoon light tomorrow.
The clock and BOSE screens were color modded using one layer of the same pink PVC that Rochester found. The ACC is using cool white NEO4-HP from SuperBrightLEDs. The SuperbrightLEDs gauge lights pushed the contacts of the bulb holders outward so they didnt hold they new, skinnier, bulbs securely. With a small screwdriver you can correct this by gently pushing the tabs into place to hold the bulb.
The eBay listing is called "2x T5 74 5-SMD SMT LED White car bulb"
Here's a link to the current Buy It Now.
The seller is in California, got the bulbs to me very quickly with tracking, and ships worldwide (except to Nigeria).
Last edited by LongoTE; 01-18-2012 at 08:11 PM.
#615
This is still one of my favorite mods done on the cheap, the cool white makes the cluster look like it should have from the factory! I ended up using the same method on my 93 Mustang and it was also a pretty dramatic difference.
#620
#621
#625
LOL!
Got them installed tonight, the install was kind of a PITA because the pins needed to be bent around in order to get it to light up.. I only did the gauge cluster and the climate control... I would be interested in doing the map lights and maybe the dome light depending on what the cost is... hell, maybe even the door lights... anyone know what the part numbers are or what it would take to do? BTW, I picked up the warm white color.
Also, anyone put any thought into figuring out a way to get the steering wheel controls to light up? Either with some really good long lasting glow in the dark stuff or a way to wire LED's in there? I hate that my steering wheel controls don't light up.
Got them installed tonight, the install was kind of a PITA because the pins needed to be bent around in order to get it to light up.. I only did the gauge cluster and the climate control... I would be interested in doing the map lights and maybe the dome light depending on what the cost is... hell, maybe even the door lights... anyone know what the part numbers are or what it would take to do? BTW, I picked up the warm white color.
Also, anyone put any thought into figuring out a way to get the steering wheel controls to light up? Either with some really good long lasting glow in the dark stuff or a way to wire LED's in there? I hate that my steering wheel controls don't light up.
Last edited by smokin5s; 01-17-2012 at 08:37 PM.
#626
Yes minor thought. it's just too much work.
#627
ive been up for 5 hrs trying to get these to work.. can only get one bulb to work, half the time.. my interior is in 100 pieces, and now i dropped a bulb inside the cluster and tried to get it out abd my tachneedles flew everywhere and i csnt get it back together . im ready to take a bat to my car
#628
ive been up for 5 hrs trying to get these to work.. can only get one bulb to work, half the time.. my interior is in 100 pieces, and now i dropped a bulb inside the cluster and tried to get it out abd my tachneedles flew everywhere and i csnt get it back together . im ready to take a bat to my car
#630
ive been up for 5 hrs trying to get these to work.. can only get one bulb to work, half the time.. my interior is in 100 pieces, and now i dropped a bulb inside the cluster and tried to get it out abd my tachneedles flew everywhere and i csnt get it back together . im ready to take a bat to my car
Might be shopping the wreckers for a gauge cluster. Might also want to consider enlisting a friend with some experience or just paying someone to fix this, it can only get worse if you're frustrated with it, Gauge clusters are very delicate, get rammy with that and you're in very, very hot water fast.
#631
ive been up for 5 hrs trying to get these to work.. can only get one bulb to work, half the time.. my interior is in 100 pieces, and now i dropped a bulb inside the cluster and tried to get it out abd my tachneedles flew everywhere and i csnt get it back together . im ready to take a bat to my car
Sorry for your frustrations, amixamse. IDK why there's such an issue... bulb comes out, bulb goes in. /done
#637
wtf? Really? Did you even read the post I made above in response to your little problem?
The easiest way is go buy a gauge cluster from the wreckers. The 2002/2003 are the same you just need to get one with the same options as your car. (model, auto/manual, ABS, etc)
Then swap the mileage chip over. I can post the pic of where it is for you if you go this route.
Then swap the mileage chip over. I can post the pic of where it is for you if you go this route.
#638
I have had my cluster recently facing all direction and pulled the clear cover off and the rear black cover and my needles didn't move at all. I have no idea what you did.
By the way, to keep your clock from dimming when you turn the headlights on, cut the RED WIRE I believe it has a grey stripe by nonetheless it is the only red wire in the clock harness. Back on page six of this thread the wrong wire is mentioned.
Just for a newbie searching:
dashboard clock dimmer lights CUT THE RED WIRE (I have a 2002 SE if that makes a difference)
By the way, to keep your clock from dimming when you turn the headlights on, cut the RED WIRE I believe it has a grey stripe by nonetheless it is the only red wire in the clock harness. Back on page six of this thread the wrong wire is mentioned.
Just for a newbie searching:
dashboard clock dimmer lights CUT THE RED WIRE (I have a 2002 SE if that makes a difference)
#639
wtf? Really? Did you even read the post I made above in response to your little problem?
The easiest way is go buy a gauge cluster from the wreckers. The 2002/2003 are the same you just need to get one with the same options as your car. (model, auto/manual, ABS, etc)
Then swap the mileage chip over. I can post the pic of where it is for you if you go this route.
The easiest way is go buy a gauge cluster from the wreckers. The 2002/2003 are the same you just need to get one with the same options as your car. (model, auto/manual, ABS, etc)
Then swap the mileage chip over. I can post the pic of where it is for you if you go this route.
So here is some spoon feeding on some cheap replacements.
http://www.lowmileageparts.com/2003-...ter-86270.aspx