ShadowBox
03-12-2008, 12:54 AM
Tired of the mundane LED swap you read about on Scion Life? Try this on for size. But first, I'm not responsible if you screw this up. This part is probably pretty expensive, so it would suck if you broke it.
Before we begin, here is the finished product that you will end up with:
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020675-1.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020676-1.jpg
I chose blue but you can choose any color you would like. Just about any color beats the ugly factor amber.
Step 1 - Remove Part from Car:
Remove center dash bezel by removing 3 AC knobs then removing two screws hiding behind two outer knobs. Then pull from the top until the bezel pops out. Disconnect 3 molex connects from back of AC controls and put bezel to the side. You will now need to pop out the oven. This is pretty easy since it just pops out with a little force. You can then disconnect the connectors on the back side of an switches, the airbag indicator, and the cigarette lighter. Then apply light pressure on the clips that retain the airbag indicator into the oven and pop it out. My oven has a DVD player in it so I had to work a screwdriver to the back to pop the thing loose then I disconnected the wiring harness.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020679.jpg
Step 2 - Disassembly:
This thing comes apart pretty easy. First, there are two clips (one on top and one on bottom) that can be lifted with small screw drivers and the inner case will slide out from the sleeve. You then use two more small screw drivers to pry one side of the case open. You can then move to the other side and finish opening it up. At this point, you have it disassembled.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020680.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020681.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020682.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020683.jpg
Step 3 - Desoldering:
This is the part I hate. You now need to heat up the 6 leads and remove the solder so the circuit board can lift up and out of case. This is necessary as the LEDs are mounted from the other side so you have to get to that side to do the swap. I choose to use a small solder vacuum to remove the liquid solder but you could also use a wick. Now, desolder the 6 leads and remove the circuit board from the case and set the case to the side.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020683-2.jpg
Step 4 - LED Swap:
Now its a pretty simple job of desoldering the four 5 mm LEDs and resoldering in the new 5 mm LEDs. Be careful to note which ways the LEDs are mounted (cathode side) so that you can reassemble them correctly. If you get them flipped the wrong way, they won't work! After the LEDs are swapped, you are ready to reassemble.
Step 5 - Reassemble:
This is pretty straight forward. You need to place the circuit board back into the case and resolder those 6 connections. Take your time here to insure you get solder all the way down around the leads. The first time I did this, I didn't get a good solder joint on one of the leads and my SRS light came on and the indicator's "OFF" light wouldn't work. Take your time here.
Step 6 - Get that thing back in the car:
Not a whole lot of explanation needed here.
Step 7 - Set back and enjoy your work:
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020675-1.jpg
Before we begin, here is the finished product that you will end up with:
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020675-1.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020676-1.jpg
I chose blue but you can choose any color you would like. Just about any color beats the ugly factor amber.
Step 1 - Remove Part from Car:
Remove center dash bezel by removing 3 AC knobs then removing two screws hiding behind two outer knobs. Then pull from the top until the bezel pops out. Disconnect 3 molex connects from back of AC controls and put bezel to the side. You will now need to pop out the oven. This is pretty easy since it just pops out with a little force. You can then disconnect the connectors on the back side of an switches, the airbag indicator, and the cigarette lighter. Then apply light pressure on the clips that retain the airbag indicator into the oven and pop it out. My oven has a DVD player in it so I had to work a screwdriver to the back to pop the thing loose then I disconnected the wiring harness.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020679.jpg
Step 2 - Disassembly:
This thing comes apart pretty easy. First, there are two clips (one on top and one on bottom) that can be lifted with small screw drivers and the inner case will slide out from the sleeve. You then use two more small screw drivers to pry one side of the case open. You can then move to the other side and finish opening it up. At this point, you have it disassembled.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020680.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020681.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020682.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020683.jpg
Step 3 - Desoldering:
This is the part I hate. You now need to heat up the 6 leads and remove the solder so the circuit board can lift up and out of case. This is necessary as the LEDs are mounted from the other side so you have to get to that side to do the swap. I choose to use a small solder vacuum to remove the liquid solder but you could also use a wick. Now, desolder the 6 leads and remove the circuit board from the case and set the case to the side.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020683-2.jpg
Step 4 - LED Swap:
Now its a pretty simple job of desoldering the four 5 mm LEDs and resoldering in the new 5 mm LEDs. Be careful to note which ways the LEDs are mounted (cathode side) so that you can reassemble them correctly. If you get them flipped the wrong way, they won't work! After the LEDs are swapped, you are ready to reassemble.
Step 5 - Reassemble:
This is pretty straight forward. You need to place the circuit board back into the case and resolder those 6 connections. Take your time here to insure you get solder all the way down around the leads. The first time I did this, I didn't get a good solder joint on one of the leads and my SRS light came on and the indicator's "OFF" light wouldn't work. Take your time here.
Step 6 - Get that thing back in the car:
Not a whole lot of explanation needed here.
Step 7 - Set back and enjoy your work:
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/cyclman68/P1020675-1.jpg