Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to!

Skyline987 · 09-16-2006, 09:12 PM

Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone attempting to change the hvac panel, i noticed my bulbs were solidered in. I have an '01 Blazer and my controls look just like rondogs with the exception that instead of having numbered fan speeds i have a rotory knob with small increments in dashes. also on the bottom it has computer controled climate written on it.

ProTouring2.2 · 09-16-2006, 09:52 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Skyline987

Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone attempting to change the hvac panel, i noticed my bulbs were solidered in. I have an '01 Blazer and my controls look just like rondogs with the exception that instead of having numbered fan speeds i have a rotory knob with small increments in dashes. also on the bottom it has computer controled climate written on it.

yeah the bulbs are soldered into the sockets, but the new t1's come with new sockets so they just twist in...

unless you mean that the bulbs are soldered directly to the HVAC panel

Skyline987 · 09-17-2006, 01:24 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by greenflameS10

yeah the bulbs are soldered into the sockets, but the new t1's come with new sockets so they just twist in...

unless you mean that the bulbs are soldered directly to the HVAC panel

Yea its solidered directly to the panel. I'm gonna change em the next chance i get i just ran out of daylight today and i have to take it apart again anyway because 2 lights behind my gauge cluster werent seated right so i have a few dark spots.

monkeybags · 09-18-2006, 10:45 AM

this might help for first gens.
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...RG-Results.htm

David12460 · 01-21-2007, 06:34 PM

subscribed

Kris_Tunetso · 01-22-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by monkeybags

this might help for first gens.
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...RG-Results.htm

am I the only one that gets an error message every time I try to load that page?

StreetBeatz 3 · 01-22-2007, 10:30 PM

I have a 2003 Automatic Blazer Xtreme so iim just tryin to get the amount and what kind of bulbs i will need to replace all the lighting...hvac, gear lights, etc...all of them it would be great. thanks guys. pm me if possible...it would be easier.

Project_DimeBag · 02-11-2007, 12:47 PM

This is a great thread!
I've got a few questions about my 03.

Does anyone know what bulbs will fit the power door lock switches, power window switches and power mirror switches?

On my factory fog light switch, what size led will fit in place of the orange light that lights up inside the switch when the fog lights are on?

Has anyone changed the lights inside the airbag switch? It looks like the face plate is held on there with melt clips, how do I change them and still get it back together the right way?

Also, does anyone know the size bulb to replace the one on my heated mirror button (on the HVAC contorl)?

Thanks!

BlueNoma SKVP · 02-17-2007, 07:58 PM

I just completed the the LED swap as well..............no need to mod the sockets if you do not want, I picked up 194 replacement instrument panel sockets from PepBoys and Advanced Auto. There are a few manufactures that make these sockets, the first set of sockets from O'riely's did not work, the contacts turned right past the contacts on the board, so I tried another brand and they worked great ! The ones that work are the brand "Conduct-Tite!" they come in a blue blister pack and they have a part #85835. Once again PepBoys and Advanced Auto have the working sockets (for 98-2003 instument clusters). I cannot wait till this dam snow melts and the interior is back in so I can drive her again !

Shnormo · 02-19-2007, 11:47 PM

http://www.cardomain.com/id/shnormo05

I put the blue ones in my S10

travy · 03-18-2007, 04:58 PM

Has anyone found 194 instrument panel socket replacements for the 94-97 cluster? The gm green ones, where the bulb wires wrap around the taps.

travy · 03-19-2007, 11:14 AM

maybe part numbers for them?

dickeydoo · 03-20-2007, 02:21 PM

Ya im loking for the same thing

digital_xtreme · 03-20-2007, 03:38 PM

What size bulbs are to be used on the shifter lights on center console as well as the HVAC lights on a 98+?

travy · 03-20-2007, 09:59 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by dickeydoo

Ya im loking for the same thing

why oh why did gmc do that do us and not use the regular twist in bulb set up things.

I guess i can try calling a dealership and seeing if they can find a part number. Just one stupid tap is leaving me from having my full lighting in my dash.

ProTouring2.2 · 03-20-2007, 10:15 PM

white needles + superbrightLEDs.com 5 LED bulbs

travy · 03-20-2007, 10:28 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by greenflameS10

white needles + superbrightLEDs.com 5 LED bulbs

Mine is the same, but with a tach and red....and missing the lighting over my temp.

ProTouring2.2 · 03-21-2007, 10:28 AM

the rest

marchesini · 03-23-2007, 05:58 AM

Hi guys I just did the Gauge Mod on my 1997 S-10 and it looks great some of the pictures that were posted were a little confusing so I took pictures along the process too.
Also I suggest that you leave the original bulbs in some of the Idiot Lights because LED's tend to light up a tiny bit (because it only takes a tiny amount of current to light them) even when they should be off.
Check out the picturef the back of the cluster you can see which ones I switched to LED because they are black and which ones are stock because they are grey or brown (reddish).

Here you go.

This is the Stock Bulb and the Tabs that you have to remove and straighten.

This is the LED wedge with the terminals bent to the sides so it will slide into place easier

This is the complete LED in the Twist-In assembly with the terminals sticking out

This is the way you should bend the terminals

This is the bent terminals

This is the Back of the Cluster

This is the Cluster installed (Overall the light is good but the 3-6 PRM range on the tachometer is fairly dim compared to the rest of the gauge) The needles are a lot brighter and overall the gauges look very clean.

ENJOY
Let me know if you need any help with disassembly or have any other questions.
Sascha

travy · 03-23-2007, 11:49 AM

nice big pictures.

are you planning on leaving your needles with the orange colour on the back of them?

marchesini · 03-23-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by travy

nice big pictures.

are you planning on leaving your needles with the orange colour on the back of them?

Thanks I scaled them down a lot but they still came out pretty big oooops

Yeah my friend has a 01 Blazer and he did his gauges he took the paint of the needles and painted them white and now after 18 months they look yellow so I figgured if the orange lasted for 10 years it should be able to last a few more.
This same friend runns ledmods.net and he does crazy things to gauges go check it out I am hoping he will be able to do the same for me as he did for scion tC. The needles turn from white to Red as the RPM goes higher and it looks sooooo SWEET.

So short answer for now I am very happy in the future WHO KNOWS

99SonomaHeavenS · 03-23-2007, 03:00 PM

ok so let me get this right, as long as i only do gauge cluster and hvac control its all pull and plug, no soldering, to do needles and everything in blue would need (gauge and hvac)
10 t1's socketed for idiot lights (w/e color), 3 unsocketed for hvac control (blue), 5 194 for gauge clusters (blue), does the 5 for gauge clusters include the needles? Also i wont need any resistors b/c they are built in correct, and what color idiot lights do you guys do with blue since they show up?

marchesini · 03-23-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 99SonomaHeavenS

ok so let me get this right, as long as i only do gauge cluster and hvac control its all pull and plug, no soldering, to do needles and everything in blue would need (gauge and hvac)
10 t1's socketed for idiot lights (w/e color), 3 unsocketed for hvac control (blue), 5 194 for gauge clusters (blue), does the 5 for gauge clusters include the needles? Also i wont need any resistors b/c they are built in correct, and what color idiot lights do you guys do with blue since they show up?

As yours is a 98+ S-10 I can't help you but I believe that there are other members on here that can help you out. In essence, if you have twist-in bulbs you can change them to LED's using wedges or actual twist in LED's (all available at Superbrightleds.com) If you have a circuit board and little white LED's on the board that you want to change you will need to solder.

Hope this helps if your gauge looks just like mine above then you will be fine with the setup you listed.

Sascha

YellowZRX · 03-24-2007, 02:51 PM

Wonder if this would work on my '03 Sonoma, I've got a digital OD tho...

travy · 03-24-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by YellowZRX

Wonder if this would work on my '03 Sonoma, I've got a digital OD tho...

idiot lights? and is your mileage and odometer digital?

Noremac · 03-24-2007, 07:06 PM

wow, this thread has been here for over two years... i am going to attempt this. nice write up

dickeydoo · 03-27-2007, 02:54 AM

I wonder if you can buy LED's already in the sockets? that would be sweet

travy · 03-27-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by dickeydoo

I wonder if you can buy LED's already in the sockets? that would be sweet

The t1.5 ones are like that. and neo ones.

Blitz Noma · 03-27-2007, 03:58 PM

I did green leds in my cluster a while back. need to take some picks.

09-16-2006, 09:12 PM	#201
Skyline987 2001 Blazer LT Age: 21 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone attempting to change the hvac panel, i noticed my bulbs were solidered in. I have an '01 Blazer and my controls look just like rondogs with the exception that instead of having numbered fan speeds i have a rotory knob with small increments in dashes. also on the bottom it has computer controled climate written on it.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-16-2006, 09:52 PM	#202
ProTouring2.2 Have a nice day! Age: 20 Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 9,285 Location: NJ User is: Online	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by Skyline987 Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone attempting to change the hvac panel, i noticed my bulbs were solidered in. I have an '01 Blazer and my controls look just like rondogs with the exception that instead of having numbered fan speeds i have a rotory knob with small increments in dashes. also on the bottom it has computer controled climate written on it. yeah the bulbs are soldered into the sockets, but the new t1's come with new sockets so they just twist in... unless you mean that the bulbs are soldered directly to the HVAC panel
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-17-2006, 01:24 AM	#203
Skyline987 2001 Blazer LT Age: 21 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by greenflameS10 yeah the bulbs are soldered into the sockets, but the new t1's come with new sockets so they just twist in... unless you mean that the bulbs are soldered directly to the HVAC panel Yea its solidered directly to the panel. I'm gonna change em the next chance i get i just ran out of daylight today and i have to take it apart again anyway because 2 lights behind my gauge cluster werent seated right so i have a few dark spots. Last edited by Skyline987 : 09-17-2006 at 01:27 AM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-18-2006, 10:45 AM	#204
monkeybags DTC built Age: 27 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,319 Location: KY User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! this might help for first gens. http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...RG-Results.htm
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01-21-2007, 06:34 PM	#205
David12460 AKA DavidAndSomeNumbers Age: 21 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,845 Location: Minnesota User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! subscribed
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01-22-2007, 02:55 PM	#206
Kris_Tunetso Amateur mini-trucker Age: 22 Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 149 Location: Bolivar, Missouri User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by monkeybags this might help for first gens. http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...RG-Results.htm am I the only one that gets an error message every time I try to load that page?
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-22-2007, 10:30 PM	#207
StreetBeatz 3 Registered User Age: 20 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 91 Location: Bellevue, Nebraska User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! I have a 2003 Automatic Blazer Xtreme so iim just tryin to get the amount and what kind of bulbs i will need to replace all the lighting...hvac, gear lights, etc...all of them it would be great. thanks guys. pm me if possible...it would be easier.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-11-2007, 12:47 PM	#208
Project_DimeBag DimeLess Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 321 Location: Baton Rouge, LA User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! This is a great thread! I've got a few questions about my 03. Does anyone know what bulbs will fit the power door lock switches, power window switches and power mirror switches? On my factory fog light switch, what size led will fit in place of the orange light that lights up inside the switch when the fog lights are on? Has anyone changed the lights inside the airbag switch? It looks like the face plate is held on there with melt clips, how do I change them and still get it back together the right way? Also, does anyone know the size bulb to replace the one on my heated mirror button (on the HVAC contorl)? Thanks!
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-17-2007, 07:58 PM	#209
BlueNoma SKVP SK Whut ? Age: 37 Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,026 Location: Screw City, Illinois User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! I just completed the the LED swap as well..............no need to mod the sockets if you do not want, I picked up 194 replacement instrument panel sockets from PepBoys and Advanced Auto. There are a few manufactures that make these sockets, the first set of sockets from O'riely's did not work, the contacts turned right past the contacts on the board, so I tried another brand and they worked great ! The ones that work are the brand "Conduct-Tite!" they come in a blue blister pack and they have a part #85835. Once again PepBoys and Advanced Auto have the working sockets (for 98-2003 instument clusters). I cannot wait till this dam snow melts and the interior is back in so I can drive her again ! Last edited by BlueNoma SKVP : 02-17-2007 at 08:00 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-19-2007, 11:47 PM	#210
Shnormo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 28 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! http://www.cardomain.com/id/shnormo05 I put the blue ones in my S10
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-18-2007, 04:58 PM	#211
travy Misses Australia. Age: 22 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5,367 Location: Vancouver, WA User is: Online	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Has anyone found 194 instrument panel socket replacements for the 94-97 cluster? The gm green ones, where the bulb wires wrap around the taps.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-19-2007, 11:14 AM	#212
travy Misses Australia. Age: 22 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5,367 Location: Vancouver, WA User is: Online	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! maybe part numbers for them?
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-20-2007, 02:21 PM	#213
dickeydoo Totally Confused Age: 20 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,532 Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Ya im loking for the same thing
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-20-2007, 03:38 PM	#214
digital_xtreme Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 3,239 Location: Lapeer / Midland, Michigan User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! What size bulbs are to be used on the shifter lights on center console as well as the HVAC lights on a 98+?
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-20-2007, 09:59 PM	#215
travy Misses Australia. Age: 22 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5,367 Location: Vancouver, WA User is: Online	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by dickeydoo Ya im loking for the same thing why oh why did gmc do that do us and not use the regular twist in bulb set up things. I guess i can try calling a dealership and seeing if they can find a part number. Just one stupid tap is leaving me from having my full lighting in my dash.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-20-2007, 10:15 PM	#216
ProTouring2.2 Have a nice day! Age: 20 Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 9,285 Location: NJ User is: Online	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! white needles + superbrightLEDs.com 5 LED bulbs
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-20-2007, 10:28 PM	#217
travy Misses Australia. Age: 22 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5,367 Location: Vancouver, WA User is: Online	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by greenflameS10 white needles + superbrightLEDs.com 5 LED bulbs Mine is the same, but with a tach and red....and missing the lighting over my temp.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-21-2007, 10:28 AM	#218
ProTouring2.2 Have a nice day! Age: 20 Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 9,285 Location: NJ User is: Online	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! the rest
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-23-2007, 05:58 AM	#219
marchesini Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 12 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Hi guys I just did the Gauge Mod on my 1997 S-10 and it looks great some of the pictures that were posted were a little confusing so I took pictures along the process too. Also I suggest that you leave the original bulbs in some of the Idiot Lights because LED's tend to light up a tiny bit (because it only takes a tiny amount of current to light them) even when they should be off. Check out the picturef the back of the cluster you can see which ones I switched to LED because they are black and which ones are stock because they are grey or brown (reddish). Here you go. This is the Stock Bulb and the Tabs that you have to remove and straighten. This is the LED wedge with the terminals bent to the sides so it will slide into place easier This is the complete LED in the Twist-In assembly with the terminals sticking out This is the way you should bend the terminals This is the bent terminals This is the Back of the Cluster This is the Cluster installed (Overall the light is good but the 3-6 PRM range on the tachometer is fairly dim compared to the rest of the gauge) The needles are a lot brighter and overall the gauges look very clean. ENJOY Let me know if you need any help with disassembly or have any other questions. Sascha
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-23-2007, 11:49 AM	#220
travy Misses Australia. Age: 22 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5,367 Location: Vancouver, WA User is: Online	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! nice big pictures. are you planning on leaving your needles with the orange colour on the back of them?
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-23-2007, 12:14 PM	#221
marchesini Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 12 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by travy nice big pictures. are you planning on leaving your needles with the orange colour on the back of them? Thanks I scaled them down a lot but they still came out pretty big oooops Yeah my friend has a 01 Blazer and he did his gauges he took the paint of the needles and painted them white and now after 18 months they look yellow so I figgured if the orange lasted for 10 years it should be able to last a few more. This same friend runns ledmods.net and he does crazy things to gauges go check it out I am hoping he will be able to do the same for me as he did for scion tC. The needles turn from white to Red as the RPM goes higher and it looks sooooo SWEET. So short answer for now I am very happy in the future WHO KNOWS
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-23-2007, 03:00 PM	#222
99SonomaHeavenS Gow Low or Go Home Age: 20 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,468 Location: Charlotte, NC User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! ok so let me get this right, as long as i only do gauge cluster and hvac control its all pull and plug, no soldering, to do needles and everything in blue would need (gauge and hvac) 10 t1's socketed for idiot lights (w/e color), 3 unsocketed for hvac control (blue), 5 194 for gauge clusters (blue), does the 5 for gauge clusters include the needles? Also i wont need any resistors b/c they are built in correct, and what color idiot lights do you guys do with blue since they show up?
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-23-2007, 03:37 PM	#223
marchesini Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 12 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by 99SonomaHeavenS ok so let me get this right, as long as i only do gauge cluster and hvac control its all pull and plug, no soldering, to do needles and everything in blue would need (gauge and hvac) 10 t1's socketed for idiot lights (w/e color), 3 unsocketed for hvac control (blue), 5 194 for gauge clusters (blue), does the 5 for gauge clusters include the needles? Also i wont need any resistors b/c they are built in correct, and what color idiot lights do you guys do with blue since they show up? As yours is a 98+ S-10 I can't help you but I believe that there are other members on here that can help you out. In essence, if you have twist-in bulbs you can change them to LED's using wedges or actual twist in LED's (all available at Superbrightleds.com) If you have a circuit board and little white LED's on the board that you want to change you will need to solder. Hope this helps if your gauge looks just like mine above then you will be fine with the setup you listed. Sascha
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-24-2007, 02:51 PM	#224
YellowZRX Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 367 Location: Roscoe User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Wonder if this would work on my '03 Sonoma, I've got a digital OD tho...
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-24-2007, 04:01 PM	#225
travy Misses Australia. Age: 22 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5,367 Location: Vancouver, WA User is: Online	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by YellowZRX Wonder if this would work on my '03 Sonoma, I've got a digital OD tho... idiot lights? and is your mileage and odometer digital?
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-24-2007, 07:06 PM	#226
Noremac damned 4banger Age: 19 Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 5,380 Location: Jonesboro Arkansas User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! wow, this thread has been here for over two years... i am going to attempt this. nice write up
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-27-2007, 02:54 AM	#227
dickeydoo Totally Confused Age: 20 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,532 Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! I wonder if you can buy LED's already in the sockets? that would be sweet
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-27-2007, 02:57 PM	#228
travy Misses Australia. Age: 22 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5,367 Location: Vancouver, WA User is: Online	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by dickeydoo I wonder if you can buy LED's already in the sockets? that would be sweet The t1.5 ones are like that. and neo ones.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-27-2007, 03:58 PM	#229
Blitz Noma ♠ S.I.C ♠ Age: 24 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,125 Location: Nor ♠ Cal User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! I did green leds in my cluster a while back. need to take some picks.
	[Reply w/Quote]

04-02-2007, 10:11 PM	#230
rebelchopper Registered User Age: 29 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3 Location: User is: OffLine