Post by onegoldfish on Dec 21, 2012 16:20:38 GMT -5
Alright so overall, the entire operation is quite simple. actually requires less pieces to be removed than replacing the HVAC leds.
both the shift indicator and HVAC bulbs are the same size, using an odd Toshiba bulb, A14V3W. im assuming it stands for Automobile 14volt 3watt, and they dont have the same base as the wedge base bulbs ive looked at.
best bet is to get the closest, #74/T5 bulb, then add a lil solder to the connects to make it a lil thicker base (explained why later). my first try with the HVAC leds used some cheap ones off ebay, which were single bulb, and after i replaced those with brighter 3 led #74 bulbs, had the 1led bulbs as extra so figured id toss it in down below. i dont have the link to the single led bulbs, but here's the 3 led bulb link
now for the picture tutorial.
here is the bulb, you need to add a small amount of solder to the two leads on the base (pointed out in red), just a small dab is all really, it helps keep the LED jammed inside the bulb socket (particularly handy with the HVAC leds so as to keep it from getting jarred loose). also, leds have a general life expectancy of 50,000 hours, if the led stops working, it most likely just has a wire/solder connection loose or been jarred, so check those first if you know what to look for
first view.
grab a screwdriver and push in here (angled in towards the back of the car) to lever the cig lighter panel loose, little force is needed. you may notice i have an extra wire on top of the car's metal black box, dont worry about it, thats my hidden away power line to my radar detector.
grab on here and tug upwards gradually till it gives, i believe its locked in with only 2 clips and the other two are just grooves it slips into. should pop off easily with little force, just dont yank it.
hardest part is popping off the shift indicator cover. dont yank upward as u may pull the entire shift base, and not just the cover. there's 4 clips total, one at each corner. i took a screwdriver and gently levered it off of the small clip, really wasnt hard, just awkward to get to. NOTE: i am pretty positive that you MUST be in neutral to do this part, not sure why but i vaguely remember needing to a long time ago, and i havent been able to get it off without it in neutral any time ive tried in this past month haha
lift it forward, ull see a bulb with a rubber orange cover. ull notice in my picture i already have my led in place (couldnt find old bulb). just pull upward gradually till it snaps out. i found that this part is easiest when no longer in neutral, but rather in park so you get more hand room.
taaadaaaa. dont forget to test it before reassembling to make sure you put it in the right way! (led bulbs arent bidirectional, if it doesnt work the first time, pull it out and spin it 180 degrees to flip the contacts, and thus flip the polarity).
reassembly is opposite of the uninstallation, just remember to go back into neutral before putting the cover down (ull know if you didnt cause it simply wont close anyways haha). everything should snap back down on top of each other, for those that have ever wanted to tap into the cig lighter power, this is also a prime location to do so for future reference. heres the final product of a few minutes work!
and now animated haha. all photos taken with phone during day, hope quality is adequate
have fun!
both the shift indicator and HVAC bulbs are the same size, using an odd Toshiba bulb, A14V3W. im assuming it stands for Automobile 14volt 3watt, and they dont have the same base as the wedge base bulbs ive looked at.
best bet is to get the closest, #74/T5 bulb, then add a lil solder to the connects to make it a lil thicker base (explained why later). my first try with the HVAC leds used some cheap ones off ebay, which were single bulb, and after i replaced those with brighter 3 led #74 bulbs, had the 1led bulbs as extra so figured id toss it in down below. i dont have the link to the single led bulbs, but here's the 3 led bulb link
now for the picture tutorial.
here is the bulb, you need to add a small amount of solder to the two leads on the base (pointed out in red), just a small dab is all really, it helps keep the LED jammed inside the bulb socket (particularly handy with the HVAC leds so as to keep it from getting jarred loose). also, leds have a general life expectancy of 50,000 hours, if the led stops working, it most likely just has a wire/solder connection loose or been jarred, so check those first if you know what to look for
first view.
grab a screwdriver and push in here (angled in towards the back of the car) to lever the cig lighter panel loose, little force is needed. you may notice i have an extra wire on top of the car's metal black box, dont worry about it, thats my hidden away power line to my radar detector.
grab on here and tug upwards gradually till it gives, i believe its locked in with only 2 clips and the other two are just grooves it slips into. should pop off easily with little force, just dont yank it.
hardest part is popping off the shift indicator cover. dont yank upward as u may pull the entire shift base, and not just the cover. there's 4 clips total, one at each corner. i took a screwdriver and gently levered it off of the small clip, really wasnt hard, just awkward to get to. NOTE: i am pretty positive that you MUST be in neutral to do this part, not sure why but i vaguely remember needing to a long time ago, and i havent been able to get it off without it in neutral any time ive tried in this past month haha
lift it forward, ull see a bulb with a rubber orange cover. ull notice in my picture i already have my led in place (couldnt find old bulb). just pull upward gradually till it snaps out. i found that this part is easiest when no longer in neutral, but rather in park so you get more hand room.
taaadaaaa. dont forget to test it before reassembling to make sure you put it in the right way! (led bulbs arent bidirectional, if it doesnt work the first time, pull it out and spin it 180 degrees to flip the contacts, and thus flip the polarity).
reassembly is opposite of the uninstallation, just remember to go back into neutral before putting the cover down (ull know if you didnt cause it simply wont close anyways haha). everything should snap back down on top of each other, for those that have ever wanted to tap into the cig lighter power, this is also a prime location to do so for future reference. heres the final product of a few minutes work!
and now animated haha. all photos taken with phone during day, hope quality is adequate
have fun!
I'm thinking it may be nice to get a 04 ish quest to have as the family car.
