I have the same problem, I cannot get the screws loose!

 

Turn hard. You will hear it snap loose. It's just the locktite. I always warn my customers if they are watching (I don't want them thinking I broke something).

Here are a few pics.

White



UV (I made the watermark to dark, and can't find the original).



I have blue, green, and red somewhere. I'll post when I find them on my computer.

 

you've been noticing the dimness of leds once installed paul?

i could say they could be running brighter... but haven't really had issues to how bright they are currently.. nor has anyone i've done the swap with complained.

i was gonna do a "fix" for it.. but never really got around to it.. wondering if you were already doing that.

 

Yeah, I finally got it. I used an adjustable wrench and snapped it on the end of the torx and tugged one time and it came loose. I never could have done it with my bare hands, I felt like my bone in my arm was gonna snap I was turning so hard. Anyways, I did notice the dimness to the lights and the reason is because of the rubber button pad. The lights cannot be as bright because they have to shine thru the pad and the plastic piece itself. The only fix I can think of is a.) much brighter leds or b.) cut holes in the rubber pad buttons for more light to shine through!

 

no no.... the leds themselves don't shine as bright from the start.. voltage stuff... same issue with the hvac basically.

 

I actually did red and green, and they were pretty bright (red of course because of the low voltage). The green looked very nice! Much better than stock. I did the red and green in the same day (they were friends that came by), and they should be coming back (I did a navi install in one of their cars, and I ordered the steering wheel control and aux control harness to arrive). I'll take some pics when they are back.

-Paul

 

take it with just the leds showing.. (without the cover)

that's how i noticed the leds not running at full brightness.

well.. even so.. camera... uhm... just look with your own eyes?

 

^^^ Will do.

 

Yeah, I saw a lot of pics of the hvac unit that looked really dim. I bought the wire/resistor kit from engifineer which will hopefully make it more closely lit to the gauges! I will let you know by friday when I actually get to it!

 

Easy fix.

If you look at the bottom-most LED, there's a resistor labelled "302" (3000 ohms).

Replace it with a 1k ohm. Problem solved They will be as bright as the HVAC buttons.

I just used one of the 1/4 watt ones I use for the HVAC panel, and it works fine.

 

^^ there ya go..

that's what i was looking for..

 

I tried it. Works Great !!!! Takes 30 minutes. lights are much different. Thanks

 

Another great DIY for those that are unclear on how to go about doing
this mod.

 

Hey guys, I just had a customer tell me he possibly stripped his airbag screws, I asked what tool he used and he said a t-30 and got the info from this post... It is actually a t40 torx... just an FYI

 

uhmmm... i've been using t-30 for a very, very long time.



yeah... i think they're T30...

(and yeah.. it's an '05's repair manual as you can kinda tell.... but it's the same screws... and also you don't need to disconnect the airbag wiring, too)

hmm... i think the T40 would be a little too big...

if people still don't believe me, than i'm more than willing to take a screen capture of the '06, or '07 or whatever year you want vice the '05 i have pictured above.

 

Will double check it when I get home, from memory I have always used a larger t40 and that is the correct size on mine and all customers cars that have come over... if it was to big, it would definitly not fit

 

Is it possible to find UV LEDs that will fit this. Most of my theme is going to be white but I really want these to be purple uv.

 

Yes I can get them but they are damaging to the eyes...

 

Yes I know. I'm only using them for a few "accent"pieces...if you will.

 

Anybody know of a place online to find the 1k ohm resistor? Thanks!