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

[rlith]

Yep, another how-to... For a while I had some general colored bulbs in my cluster, you know, the crappy APC ones. The problem with these incandecent bulbs is that over time they fade...(In the case of the blue one, they faded to green, and the reds faded to pink).... So I finally got off my arse and decided to upgrade my cluster to LED's. Yes, I know, some of you say..."Why don't you go with EL Glow gauges?" Well, unfortunatly, we with the 94-97 clusters have a hard time getting the right gauges for that. (Some of you know what I'm talking about). Besides, what I ended up doing was cheaper and looks pretty decent. This how-to also applies to 98+ clusters as well with the exception of the gear indicator. So let us begin...

(Forgive some of the pics, my camera sucks for close up detail)

Tools needed:
Needle nose pliers
Soldering pencil
solder
15mm socket
7mm socket
Phillips head screw driver

Start by removing the drivers side kick panel and knee panel. Once this is out of the way we need to drop the steering column. (The cluster won't come out with the steering wheel up) On either side of the steering wheel column you will see a 15mm nut. Remove both. This drops the column. Let it rest on the driver's seat.

Remove both screws above the cluster. Now carefully start pulling the dash bezel towards you until it releases from the dash. Disconnect all switch harness's and set bezel in the back seat of the car (or where ever you want to).

Now, you will see 5 7mm screws. 1 in each corner, and 1 on the bottom just left of center. Simply remove these. Now slowly pull the cluster towards you. Ok, that's it. Cluster removed.

Shown here is the back of the cluster. There are 5 194 twist style bulbs (For gauge illumination) , and 10 t1 twist bulbs. (Idiot lights).




Here we see the typical GM green socket. These suck. Why? Because they aren't slip on 194's. You actually have to disassemble the damn thing.

Here we see the original 194 socketed bulb and the new 4 LED LED bulb. (No resistors are needed as the resistors are built into the wedge)



Simply use a pair of needle nose pliers and pull firmly on the connection tab on the bulb.



The tab will slip out.


Do this for both sides of the bulb, pull the old bulb. Straighten the wires on the new bulb so they go through the top of the bulb socket. When you insert the tabs back in, simply fold the wire over the connecting tab.

Now simply put the bulb back in the back of the cluster and move to the next one.

Shown here is a t1 bulb with a base, and 1 without. The cluster itself as stated above uses 10 of these. The HVAC uses 3, the 4x4 switch uses 3. For my T1's I used hyperwhite LED's for all the idiot lights in the cluster except for the turn signals. The turnsignals are now blue.

Now realize. LED's are polarity sensitive for the ANODE/CATHODE. After installing all bulbs. Push cluster into place and turn on your lights. Note which ones are NOT coming on. Simply pull the cluster back out and re install that bulb 180 degrees.

The HVAC controls use 3 t1 bulbs without a base.. Simply pull the old bulb and slip in the new. (Remember, turn on the lights to make sure you have your polarity correct)

Shown here is the HVAC with 1 incandecent and 1 blue led.




Now of course, I abosultely hate the orange PRNOD321 lights. So of course I had to change that. On the bottom of the back of the cluster you will see a single t15 torx screw. Remove screw, lift up cover. Remove the circuit board and unplug connector.

Shown here is the light board for the gear indicator on the cluster.



Note your polarity on this board for the bulbs. Top in anode, bottom is cathode. Each bulb must be de-soldered and a new one put in its place. It takes about 5 mins per bulb to swap out. I used 5mm 2600mcd blue LED's for replacements. Again, no resistors are needed as existing resistors are in place from the original bulbs.

Here is a pic of the bulb lit up... Little fuzzy but you get the idea. It's currently in drive.



Arm rest controls and the rest of the controls on the dash were done with 3mm 200mcd bulbs to replace the built in incandecent bulbs. These were soldered in place of the old ones using a 310ohm resistor on the cathode. Don't try this unless you know how to take apart these switches! Practice on some old ones from a junker to learn how to take them apart and put them together!

So at this point all bulbs are replaced and the car is put back togeather....

HVAC----



Center shift gear indicator--



And the cluster. Yes, I put in RED for all the small gauges and blue for the Speedo and Tach... Personally I like the way it fades violet into the red. Also all the damn needles look like Light Sabers! Of course you want to light to your own tastes...




ALL BULBS PURCHASED AT www.superbrightleds.com

[blazinon18s]

awesome mod i have been thinking of taking all my buttons apart and replacing the leds to blue NICE WORK

[johnster0228]

nice man ,I want to change the AC control color to blue as well as the headlight switch!

[orangesonoma]

www.superbrightleds.com is the shit...i love them

[FLSurf420]

hey great job but i gotta question if when i change from park to reverse and like 1st only the light doesnt come up. is this a switch or the bulbs? if its the bulbs i'll go ahead and try this mod.

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by FLSurf420

hey great job but i gotta question if when i change from park to reverse and like 1st only the light doesnt come up. is this a switch or the bulbs? if its the bulbs i'll go ahead and try this mod.

It's the bulb...

[SuzukiPrivateer73]

Awesome How To!!!!! Props!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a couple questions though. I have a 94' S10 w/o tach.... I am wondering what part numbers for the lights at SUPERBRIGHTLEDS.com I would use. I would love to do the Blue Speed, with Red Idiots, and Blue Ac console...... That site is pretty confusing for me. , Which bulbs Would I use???



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[sdime98]

awesome...i'll definately look into doin this come springtime or prolly summer

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by SuzukiPrivateer73

Awesome How To!!!!! Props!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a couple questions though. I have a 94' S10 w/o tach.... I am wondering what part numbers for the lights at SUPERBRIGHTLEDS.com I would use. I would love to do the Blue Speed, with Red Idiots, and Blue Ac console...... That site is pretty confusing for me. , Which bulbs Would I use???



-

As stated above, idiot lights are t1's, gauges are 194's

[Prime Xtreme]

nice how to

[SuzukiPrivateer73]

How many 194's would there be for a 94' 4.3L w/o RPM tach?

and this is a t1 right?

[rlith]

Same amount as with a tach...5

[Jess]

wish ya had better pics. but its still pretty cool. can you dim the dash ?

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jess

wish ya had better pics. but its still pretty cool. can you dim the dash ?

Yes, dimmer switch still works.

[Rondog]

What bulbs and how many would I need for a 2001 S-10 with a tach? I would want to do my headlight switch and a/c controls also. What kind of modifying would I need to do or would these be direct replacements if I got the bulbs through www.superbrightleds.com ?

[rlith]

see the original post, the same amount/type of bulbs apply... For the switches and controls, use 3mm led's, figure out your forward voltage via max voltage of the bulb and use the appropriate resistor...

[IceDime]

is it the same for the 98+ does anyone know?

[Rondog]

So if I don't replace the gear indicator bulbs, I can replace all the other bulbs w/out any soldering? I would need 5 194's for the gauges. I don't care to do the idiot lights or do I have to do them? And I would need 6 T1's for the a/c and headlight switches?

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by IceDime

is it the same for the 98+ does anyone know?

See the beggining of the article

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rondog

So if I don't replace the gear indicator bulbs, I can replace all the other bulbs w/out any soldering? I would need 5 194's for the gauges. I don't care to do the idiot lights or do I have to do them? And I would need 6 T1's for the a/c and headlight switches?

No, the headlight switches use 3mm which you would have to solder, the hvac controls use t1's

[Rondog]

Ok, thanks for clarifying that for me.

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rondog

Ok, thanks for clarifying that for me.

Just figure out the forward voltage you want to get the resistor value and solder the resister to the anode.

[kev2809]

damn man, thats a bad ass self mod...looks real good
i would do it but know absolutely NOTHING about the electronic stuff...

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by kev2809

damn man, thats a bad ass self mod...looks real good
i would do it but know absolutely NOTHING about the electronic stuff...

the cluster bulbs just twist in... no soldering needed.

[82Stang]

I did the same mod but replaced the original socket bulbs with 194 wedge type led's and replacement instrument cluster sockets. It's great because anytime I want to change the color of my dash I take apart the dash and quickly switch out the leds with new ones.

[kev2809]

hey, does that website sell white leds, my truck is white so i think it would look sweet with white ones. what you guys think?

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by kev2809

hey, does that website sell white leds, my truck is white so i think it would look sweet with white ones. what you guys think?

White=clear, but if you want super whites, they have them..

[shawley]

looks awesome, think i'm gonna try that as soon as i can pick up some bulbs

[shawley]

but how do i know which ones to order??

[4.3Xtreme]

but if i have indiglo gagues would it be pointless to do it or would it only make them just a lil bit brighter?

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by x faktr

but if i have indiglo gagues would it be pointless to do it or would it only make them just a lil bit brighter?

Good question... I honestly couldn't tell you on that one... I don't think it would make that much of a diff if you have EL gauges. All I really can say is give it a whirl and let us know!

[hondaassassin18]

Quote: Originally Posted by rlith

It's the bulb...

if I swapped the led's in the shift indicator and they light up perfectly while the parking lights are not on, but as soon as I light up the parking lights they all won't work, is that a problem with my led's or the way I wired them?

[Killer Miked]

damn thats awsome, im gonna order my LEDS Now, but does anyone have a picture of the dash on a 98+ ? thanks mike

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by hondaassassin18

if I swapped the led's in the shift indicator and they light up perfectly while the parking lights are not on, but as soon as I light up the parking lights they all won't work, is that a problem with my led's or the way I wired them?

If some work, and some don't, it's more likely the resistors are bad on the light board... Simply meter them for resistance and pick up some new ones at radio shack

[hondaassassin18]

Quote: Originally Posted by rlith

If some work, and some don't, it's more likely the resistors are bad on the light board... Simply meter them for resistance and pick up some new ones at radio shack

They all work when the parking lights are off, but once I turn the parking lights on, none of them do. They work just as they should when the parking lights are off. If it might be the resistor, which one would it be and do i just test it with a voltimeter for resistence?

[hondaassassin18]

as for the question about the indiglo gauges, I have them and what changing the bulbs in back will do is it will make your odometer glow blue or whatever color you choose as well as your needles. If you really want something custom, sand down the orange paint on the back of the needles and paint them white, they will glow whatever color your bulbs in back are.

[downandurty10]

ok where do u get the leds? from radio shak or what

[hondaassassin18]

radio shack sells the led's to do the shift indicator, they're $4.29 each I think, but I thought it was worth it. If you're referring to the leds to replace the 194's in the gauge cluster you'll have to go to the superbrightleds.com site rlith was referring to.

[82Stang]

I ordered my 194's led replacement bulbs from www.autolumination.com hehehehe my truck in one big black light now

[EmTea]

Here's some pics of the gauge cluster.
Alittle better than rilth's pics. (sorry rilth)
Front of the Gauge Cluster:



Back of the Gauge Cluster:


HVAC controlls:


Bubls in the HVAC:


The Whole Sha-bang Apart:

[rlith]

No prob there, you're showing the later (98+) cluster... I only showed the 95-97

[vio0633]

Yeah show me how to do this in the new cluster!!! The one on the bottom is what i have and I would like to know how to do this. Im preety sure its the same as the one prior to the 98+ dash.

[rll9147]

Why don't someone give a breakdown of:
1. quatity and type of bulb.
2. Each type of bulb needed for each the a/c, headlight and guage cluster with and without the tach.
3. Type of resistor's needed.
I am confused on the idiot lights cause I know those are soldered in and I want to swapped mine out.

[DJDAudio]

Wow thanks man I am going to have to try this with my flame guages

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by rll9147

Why don't someone give a breakdown of:
1. quatity and type of bulb.
2. Each type of bulb needed for each the a/c, headlight and guage cluster with and without the tach.
3. Type of resistor's needed.
I am confused on the idiot lights cause I know those are soldered in and I want to swapped mine out.

It's an LED... They're all pretty much the same quality

10 Socketed t1's for the idiot lights, 3 unsocketed t1's for the hvac, 5 194's for the cluster gauges

No reistors needed. If you look at the pics the resistors are built into the base of the bulbs

Idiot lights aren't soldered, they're socketed.

[JPowell]

QUESTION:

What about the air bag override switch on the dash panel for us '98+ guys??

[rlith]

Quote: Originally Posted by JPowell

QUESTION:

What about the air bag override switch on the dash panel for us '98+ guys??

That should be a t1 bulb, if not a 3mm led should be fine.

[JPowell]

Quote: Originally Posted by rlith

That's only for the passenger side... That said, why not just do it right and disconnect the battery?

Maybe I wasn't clear enough... it lights up at night... I was wondering if anyone replaced the lighting behind it to match their dash panel and climate control cluster.

Also, my '98 might be a fluke year, but the headlight panel/dome switch has never lit up at night. Maybe the bulbs are burnt out (I'll have to check!)

...re-reading thread...

[rlith]

Editied... I farked and posted in the wrong thread...LOL

[scott750]

Quote: Originally Posted by JPowell

Maybe I wasn't clear enough... it lights up at night... I was wondering if anyone replaced the lighting behind it to match their dash panel and climate control cluster.

Also, my '98 might be a fluke year, but the headlight panel/dome switch has never lit up at night. Maybe the bulbs are burnt out (I'll have to check!)

...re-reading thread...

The headlight switches aren't supposed to light up. I believe only the knob has a single bulb inside it that lights up just a dash in it som you know where its pointing.