LED DIY: Clock

Mikey

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First off, Ive seen links to posts made about doing this, but Id like to make an actual thread with a step-by-step process. That way people dont have to go diggin through threads and posts.

I'll add the above mentioned links, from other threads, later.
Another step-by-step

I'd also like to add, and you'll see at the end, the "foil trick" worked, but Im finding that things are NOT as "bright" or as "cool white" as I expected them. I'll dive into that later.

This is in a 2001 V6 coupe; for reference.


STEP 1: Remove Clock and hazard switch combo. By now, we all know how to do this. In case you dont; pry the entire piece, unplug and seperate the hazard button from the clock. It just pushes out the front of the clock piece.

STEP 2: Turn your clock piece over and, again, using a small, flat-tipped tool, carefully pry the backing piece off the clock. Should be held on by, I believe, 4 clips.

STEP 3: Should look like this. I went ahead and removed the 4 screws. Do the same.

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STEP 4: Turn her over and this is what you have. Note the teeny, tiny little blue tabs? Yeah, thats a removeable filter.

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STEP 5: Remove blue filter. Slides right out.

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STEP 6: I took a tiny piece of foil, about 2-inches long and about 1/2-inch wide and kinda ran it/wedged it between the bulb and outer casing. This is one of those, "you'll see what I mean when you get there" things.

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STEP 7: Put your screws and 3mm neo-wedge LED bulb in. I threw a little piece of electrical tape on the side there, just to ensure everything stays in place.

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STEP 8: Re-install in vehicle.


Now, for reference, here's the CLOCK before......

317660_10150350700286463_561646462_8650276_903279300_n.jpg


And after...

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Notice how in the before it and the radio are IDENTICAL but in the after, the clock is a shade whiter and cripser? Thats what I was talking about. If you've done the AC display, or once you do it, assuming yours turns out like mine, you'll love the AC display. I know I do. It's perfectly white. My cell phone just sucks at capturing colors, lol.

In fact, the color of the clock in the AFTER is about what the AC display is, with the naked eye.

I also had the same trouble with the shift selector, on the floor. The LED made it crisper and a shade whiter, but not much brighter. For that you have to solder in individual LEDs and resistors and all that jazz. Some people are down for that, some arent. At this point in time, Im not.

I purchased my bulb(s) from www.superbrightled.com. They were like $1.29 each. This is a white 3mm. If you plan on doing the rest of your wedge bulbs, Id suggest ordering handfuls of all of them. I ordered 5 white 3mm, 5 white 4mm, 3 white 5mm, 3 blue 5mm and the ones for the vanity, I cant remember at the moment btu they're there as well. All-in-all I spent like $30 shipped.

I hope this helps answers questions and/or clears some things up.
 
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cjsaccord

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Is it 3mm the same size led for the auto climate control screen too? Cool diy btw!
 

RedRyder

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Nice DIY, Mike. Tho shouldn't this be in the DIY sekshun?

If you remember, I think it would be a big help for people to specify what size LED's are used where, at least for the things you've done so far. Just a thought. :)

Looks great!

EDIT: I mean if you remember, mention the size for LED's used other than the clock, you said that one.
 
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SykVSyx

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Nice DIY, Mike. Tho shouldn't this be in the DIY sekshun?

If you remember, I think it would be a big help for people to specify what size LED's are used where, at least for the things you've done so far. Just a thought. :)

Looks great!

My mind.......Chris reads it.
 

Mikey

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It was late and Im on meds, so Mods, could we put this in the DIY section? Lol.

As for the bulbs, I believe I mentioned that the bulb used here was a 3mm bulb. The clock is a 3mm neo. The AC piece requires 1-3mm, 2-4mm and 3-5mm. The CC and sunroof require a total of, I believe 3-3mm.

Ultimately, what Id like to do, is get a master list, perhaps even a picture reference of what the bulbs are. Then I'd like to get a step-by-step DIY for each and every piece, no matter how big or small. Like one for the clock, one for the AC controls, one for the CC/sunroof switches, one for the shift select, etc etc. IMO, that makes finding them easier.
 

RedRyder

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That would be great man. Maybe while you're laid up, you could get on that. :lawl:

j/k. Hope you're doing well.

There was an LED discussion thread a while back, but it kind of got inundated with noobishness.
 

st3b0

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Hopefully gonna tackle this a little later! I have a red LED i want to put in the clock :)
 

NocturnalEvo

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That's awesome!

The climate control LED's, can that be done for a 98-99 as well? Or is that only for the 01-02 climate controls?
 

J30MAN

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Great write up Mikey. What is the bulb that you replaced in your HVAC screen? What kind of bulb is it?
 
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