DIY LED conversion - A/C Controls + Dash

rigby

Well-Known Member
State Event Organiser
Ok so I was too lazy to take pictures while I was doing it, but here's how to disassemble the dash to access the bulbs behind the A/C controls.

Step One: First of all, there are 2 small screws underneath the air vents on the fascia, unscrew them both.

Step Two: Pry open the top and sides of the fascia with a screwdriver wrapped in a cloth (to protect the fascia from scratches)

Step Three: Carefully but firmly tug back on the fascia, and it should start to unclip itself. Unclip the sockets at the top of the plate (there should be two). The face plate will now dangle from the right, as one of the A/C controls will still be attached. (You can remove it if necessary but it's probably not worth the hassle)

This is the same process you would follow to change your head unit. And you should take your head unit out if you want to access the wiring from underneath.

Step Four: There are two T5 bulbs to be found, one on each side of the fascia around the A/C controls. The left bulb lights up all the controls apart from the cold/warm temp controls. The bulb on the right lights the temp controls. You can swap the left bulb over for a colourful LED (although the plate probably won't light up as brightly as before).

Step Five: Follow the previous instruction in the reverse order to reassemble your fascia.

If I've failed to mention something, feel free to add it in.
 
So there are only 2 T5 bulbs on the AC controls, in the process of getting some vents from a wrecker so I figure while I'm messing with them I could change the bulbs.
 
Don't bother unless they are wide-angle SMD's or just regular incandescent bulbs, otherwise they won't light up the whole a/c controls like the stockbulbs so. Also, I wouldn't bother trying to change the colour of the bulb (red/blue/etc) as the a/c controls won't really change colour, and the temp control won't change colours at all.
 
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