DIY Instrument Panel LED Swap plus other LEDs

marcrenzm · Aug 4, 2012

Hello! I know there are other DIY instrument panel LED swaps out there but I couldn't find one that covers everything. This is specific for 2011 Corolla but I'm sure it could be applied to other years. BTW this is my first DIY so sorry for my mistakes... im just trying to help lol

Step 1
Take the left trim off, top and bottom. Take a flathead (put ducktape on the tip so it doesn't mess us you interior) and pry them out. PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE THE BRACKET THINGYS ARE IN THE PIC SO YOU KNOW WHERE TO FOCUS POINTS ARE.

Step 2
Pry off the instrument panel hood, starting from the right side. Pay attention to the focus points again.

Step 3
Take a phillips and remove the two top screws. Then pull up and out and unplug it from the back.

Step 4
Remove the front transparent cover by pushing out the clips

Step 5
Remove the black hood.

Step 6
ITS NEEDLE TIME! Mark your needle points with tape. I don't think its necessary but it's nice to be safe. I found the fork technique to be difficult so I used the SPOON technique! Maybe use the for to pry it till you hear a click. Then two spoons across from each other to pull it straight up. Don't be scared to break them, just be gentle and patient. Watch this guy's vid for an example,

(this is not my vid...) but don't let your needle fling out. Support it with your thumb while you pry it out. There are rings after you take the needles out, don't lose them.

Step 7
Unlike the 10th generations, the 10.5's clear top, which spreads the LED lights out, can't just be removed to expose to chip. So take the back cover off. I DID THIS ON STEP 7 BUT DO IT BEFORE STEP 4. IT'LL BE MUCH EASIER.

Step 8
Remove the chip and place it on the back cover so it's secure when you work on it.

Step 8
SOLDER TIME! I'm not a soldering expert but I did it no problem. It's just positive and negative, make sure you don't solder those to touch. Remove the stock LEDs and solder the new ones. They are PLCC-2s and there is a special thing on the edge to show which is positive and negative, plus how to place them on. http://www.oznium.com/plcc-2/photos There is a polarity mark so make sure you put them on right. Check the diagram.

Be sure to test it to ensure you are doing it correctly.

It takes 8 PLCC-2s for the speedometer and the tachometer (is that what it's called? For RPM? lol IDK :dunno

. It takes 2 PLCC-2s for the fuel and coolant gauge thing.

Goodluck! And feel free the ask questions and correct if I made a mistake, I hope this helped!

marcrenzm · Aug 4, 2012

For the rest of the other center unit thingys.

Step 1
Pry the trims, paying attention to the focus points for the clips.
Step 2
Pry the trim thing around the shifter thingy, (excuse my poor vocabulary :facepalm

Step 3
Remove the 2 screws that are located on the left and right side of the clock.

Step 4
Remove the compartment under the clock, held in by clips. And unplug the outlet.

Step 5
Remove the clock. And unplug.

Step 6
Unscrew (4) the radio from the car. Pull out the air vents, you can place it on the dash. Pull out the radio and unplug.

Step 7
Doing Step 6 frees up the HVAC because on how the clips are orientated with each other. Pull and unplug

CLOCK LEDs
Just remove the back cover and unscrew the chip from the panel. These LEDs require 2 PLCC-4s for the clock and 2 PLCC-4s for the airbag and seat belt indicators

HVAC
No need to take it apart like I did -_- unless you will change the resistors. Just take a long nose and twist and pull. idk about its polarity because I didn't change mine. Whenever I did, I burnt the LED, either because I didn't set up the polarities correct or didn't put new resistors, OH WELL!

RADIO
WARNING: CHANGING THE LEDS ON THE RADIO IS A PAIN! IT USES 0603 LEDS AND THEY ARE SMALL AS A CRUMB OR HALF AN ANT, NO JOKE. IF YOU THOUGHT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SWAP WAS HARD THIS IS MORE DIFFICULT! TRUST ME!
I had weeks to do this since I'm on summer break from college. I have great patience and it was just too difficult... this made the instrument panel swap seem like cake. But if you want to take the challenge go ahead and good luck :thumbsup:
I didn't take much pics because of my frustration :disappoin but this is what I got.

Step 1
Remove the 4 screws holding the front plate from the back box. Pull off

Step 2
remove the small screws holding the chip to the front.

I know the volume and tuning knobs require 2 0603 LEDs each and that's all I did. I wanted to swap them all but that would make me commit suicide with the stress and frustration :rofl: they are all 0603 LEDs inside. Some LEDs are in sequence with one another so if one is off then the other one is off. So be sure to solder them correctly before saying that it's over. But overall there are dozens... not worth the time in my opinion.

UNDER THE SEATS AND CAR
yes I know its ghetto or whatever but I like em. I don't drive with them on like a dumba**. I wired them to my dome light so when i unlock my car or open any door they fade on. i also got a kill switch for them and what not...

I am not responsible for any inconveniences that occur to anyone's vehicles. This is all based on what I did and it worked for me

I ordered the surface LEDs from oznium.com, the underglow from ledunderbody.com, but i think http://stores.ebay.com/HKJE-Led-Lamp-Center may be cheaper idk!

sambuh · Aug 6, 2012

love the footwell lights. Had those in my last car, they were subtle red. Looks great man

Digital_Jedi · Aug 6, 2012

Very nice job! :thumbsup:

:thanks::thanks::thanks:

cd32409 · Aug 8, 2012

An amazingly thorough DIY. I'm impressed.

As a side note, the only criticism I have is don't use the words "thing" or "thingy", but don't let that get you down, that's just my journalist asshatery

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

marcrenzm · Aug 8, 2012

Haha thanks! But I honestly didn't know the correct term for what I was talking about. I didn't wanna sound like a smart ass pretending I know what I'm talking about and make a huge mistake that would make me look dumb haha.

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

ebadeau16302 · Feb 1, 2015

How do you determine if you need PLCC-4 Common Cathode or PLCC-4 Common Anode?

A = anode/positive
C = cathode/negative

marcrenzm · Feb 1, 2015

Where did you get the anode and cathode options from? I ordered directly from the link i provided above

marcrenzm · Feb 1, 2015

Where did you get the anode and cathode options from? I ordered directly from the link i provided above

ebadeau16302 · Feb 1, 2015

"These LEDs require 2 PLCC-4s for the clock and 2 PLCC-4s for the airbag and seat belt indicators "

As identified in the blue circle, Oznium sells 2 different types of PLCC-4 LEDs.

DIY Instrument Panel LED Swap plus other LEDs

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