GI: Custom LED Climate Control

[Ben]

Now that I got done perfecting my climate control modifications, I was wondering if anyone else wants it done.

Send me you climate control and I'll customize to your color scheme for $53 (this includes return shipping)

Here is the price break down:

• LEDs: $16
• Resistors: $4
• Labor: $20
• Shipping (USPS Priority Mail with insurance and a tracking number): $13

Background colors can be blue, red, green, or white

Indicator colors (see 3rd pic) can be white, blue, red, green, amber, or orange

Here is mine: I have a white background and white indicators with a double blue A/C switch.



Here is a blue background. Colors can be blue, red, green, or white




White background with red indicator



These are the indicators which can be can be white, blue, red, green, amber, or orange

[jimf0930]

could you also do the gauage cluster like that and if so how much

[canadam]

I'd like to upgrade the look of my interior, but I'm really concerned with hotspots from the LEDs. How does this look in person if you're really picky?

Also, can you do the window switch(es?) and throw a new A/C button in while you're doing it?

[blk91mr2]

def interested lemme know if you can do the gauges too

[Ben]

Seems like everyone wants the gauge cluster That is a very simple mod - all you have to do is replace the stock bulbs with a LED. I got mine from Superbrightleds.com

For the cluster you will need a 194 wedge base bulb. I used the WLED-x6 LED Wedge Base Bulbs for mine. I did have to modify (sand the bulbs flat) to get rid of the hot spots. Here is my gauge cluster:








I believe that people are now using the WLED-x5 LED Wedge Base Bulbs without any modification. Here is a link to buy them: Super Bright LEDs - Miniature Wedge Base Bulbs

[Ben]

Originally Posted by canadam

I'd like to upgrade the look of my interior, but I'm really concerned with hotspots from the LEDs. How does this look in person if you're really picky?

Also, can you do the window switch(es?) and throw a new A/C button in while you're doing it?

For the climate control, there are dim spots on the fresh air/recirculation button, rear window defrost button, and fan speed indicators (because these are the farthest away from the bulbs). As seen in the pics in the first post, it looks as though the ends of the unit are barely lit, a majority of this is because the camera is zoomed on it - it is visible in person. The cool thing with the way I modify the circuit boards is that it is 100% reversible - if you don't like it I can change it back.

The window switches are a bit tricky because the circuit board is fused to the plastic casing - I haven't been able to successfully get the circuit board out. I can get the board out, but I'm not sure if I can get it back in properly.

I have an extra A/C button cover, but it does have some wear on it. For a new A/C button, Aaron at Lithia can get them (I think its around $25 for a whole new switch).

[Timon]

Does the WLD-x5 LED fit in the MKI for the gauges?

Does the WLD-x5 LED work on all of the buttons across the dash?

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Timon

Does the WLD-x5 LED fit in the MKI for the gauges?

I am not sure, but I would imagine they are the same size bulbs as the MKII

Originally Posted by Timon

Does the WLD-x5 LED work on all of the buttons across the dash?

This would probably be too big. They are probably 3mm LEDs. I haven't taken a MKI unit out yet....

[mr2boost]

Mk1 Instrument Cluster Main bulbs are #194's so the ones from superbrightleds.com will work.

The small bulbs in the Instrument Cluster (for the warning lights etc...) are type #74's. Get the regular sized #74 replacements with the plastic base from superbrightleds.com & they will clip right in place, IIRC they are the 8.5 ones (both mk1 & mk2).

Daniel

[Ben]

I redid my climate control (used to have the A/C button all blue - now its white) and found out that there is a light for the ash tray (mine was burnt out so I never knew about it). So I figured that I had a couple spare white LEDs, why not do the ash tray. I also found out that my hazard light switch's bulb was burnt out - I happened to have an extra red LED. The hazard light looks awesome with a red LED behind the red plastic (looks like it is hot and will burn you if you touch it ) and the ash tray was probably the hardest thing I've done because I actually had to break open the stock bulb and cut the glass to use its base so it will fit the connector (nothing else would work).

Results: The climate control looks yellow up close in the pics, but it really isn't

[Timon]

The climate control looks very nice, and I plan to eventually redo mine. Most likely I'll do red to match my gauge cluster. How hard is it to pull out the climate control? Does it require soldering the new bulbs on and how many are there?

A quick question for the gauge clusters. I redid mine and everything worked great prior to redoing it, but with the LEDs in the dimmer for the gauge lights does not have any affect on the lights. Is this normal with LEDs since they consume less power, or did I screw something up when I tore apart the dash?

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Timon

How hard is it to pull out the climate control? Does it require soldering the new bulbs on and how many are there?

I've never done a MKI before, so I don't know about it and whats required for the LEDs, but.......

Originally Posted by mr2boost

Mk1 Instrument Cluster Main bulbs are #194's so the ones from superbrightleds.com will work.

The small bulbs in the Instrument Cluster (for the warning lights etc...) are type #74's. Get the regular sized #74 replacements with the plastic base from superbrightleds.com & they will clip right in place, IIRC they are the 8.5 ones (both mk1 & mk2).

Originally Posted by Timon

A quick question for the gauge clusters. I redid mine and everything worked great prior to redoing it, but with the LEDs in the dimmer for the gauge lights does not have any affect on the lights. Is this normal with LEDs since they consume less power, or did I screw something up when I tore apart the dash?

The LEDs should dim with the dimmer.

[Timon]

mr2boost is referring to the gauge cluster alone, not the climate control. I'm just curious how many the MKII has in climate control, I'm assuming it'd be the same amount. When I pull mine out, I'll try to remember to grab some pictures of the assembly, and then maybe you can start doing this for MKI owners too .

As for the dimmer... any reason why it wouldn't dim...? I know I nudge (pushed the wheel) it a bit when I had the dash pulled out, but I didn't think that would prevent it from working at all. I guess I'll pull it apart Wed. on my day off and see what I can manage with it.

[Ben]

Does the dimmer dim the other lights like the climate control?

[Timon]

I finally remembered to check, and yes the dimmer works for the climate control, just note the gauge cluster.

[Maruki-kun]

how much for you to do the gauge cluster and the climate control?

[Tycoon788]

id be intrested, care to shoot out a price?

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Ku-sama

how much for you to do the gauge cluster and the climate control?

Gauge cluster is something I can't really do unless you are in the SD area. It is literally just a switch of a bulb. Once you pull the cluster out, just switch out the bulbs and you are done.


As for the climate control, it is $53 shipped back to you.

[TreyMR2]

How many LED's does it take to do 1 whole gauge cluster?

[Ben]

Originally Posted by TreyMR2

How many LED's does it take to do 1 whole gauge cluster?

The gauge cluster for the MKII takes 4 LEDs/bulbs.