HOW-TO: 03-06 NBS Gauge cluster LED conversion

[Sho'Tyme]

Will do...

 

[ricetronaut]

Scotty, Awesome work on the clusters! I am just wondering if the transmission (PRND321) and the Info Displays have their own LEDs (and what kind) that need to be replaced to match the other nine in the cluster?

 

[abideejay]

Hot Spots?

I am going to have to have my cluster rebuilt due to a failed stepper motor. There is a guy here locally that does them, but he says that the LEDs tend to have hot spots, where the lighting is bright in some areas and dimmer in others, as opposed to the incandescent lighting where it is more even.

Any thoughts to this? I'd really like to do white LEDs in mine while it is all torn apart.

 

[izzy]

Scotty great info, can you tell us what type of bulbs are needed to do all the other areas of the vehicle (climate control unit, steering wheel buttons, etc.)
THANKS

 

[DJejizel]

Scotty. What kind of LED did you use? Flat top or regular Leds? Dope write up!

I tore apart my gauges and put in, white flat top leds, and the cluster looks baby blue with hotspots?

 

[behindbars1544]

Hey Scotty, I got a quick question for ya. I just did my cluster today and got a little carried away and replaced the bulbs in the black area of the cluster too. Now neither turn signal arrows on the cluster light up. What did I screw up and how can I fix it?

Thanks bro!!

 

[Smoke Em All]

Subscribed for future reference. My stepper motors are on the way so I'll be doing leds while I'm in the dash.

 

[clandr1]

I am going to have to have my cluster rebuilt due to a failed stepper motor. There is a guy here locally that does them, but he says that the LEDs tend to have hot spots, where the lighting is bright in some areas and dimmer in others, as opposed to the incandescent lighting where it is more even.

Any thoughts to this? I'd really like to do white LEDs in mine while it is all torn apart.

I know I'm 6 months late, but try lightly sanding the LEDs before installation. It should diffuse the light more evenly.

 

[Smoke Em All]

Ok I got my LED bulbs and resistors in today and plan to get started soon. My only question is what is the easiest way to know which leg on the bulb is positive? One is longer than the other but, no markings or other differences to be seen.

 

[skaffy03]

There is actually a marking (usually) somewhere on an LED. But the easy way is that the positive is generally the longer leg.

You can always solder one LED to the board using the longer leg as positive then go back and plug the harness in and see if it lights up. You'll find out soon enough which is correct polarity (given that you soldered correctly) and then you can keep on going with the rest of the LEDs.

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