Author Topic: U13 SSS climate control backlighting  (Read 3969 times)

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Offline chpearce

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U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« on: May 30, 2007, 11:52AM »
Hi guy's
just notices that the backlighting for the climate control is not working, and after suggestions on any tips on accessing the lighting for these switches?

everything works ok, just can't see the buttons at night.

Cheers
Chris
U13 1995, Bluebird SSS, Manual,  Newbie

Offline greenbird

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Re: U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2007, 07:27PM »
Chris.
Firstly, check all of your fuses. But if everything else is lighting up okay, i dare say that your fuses are OK.
So, you will need to remove the black plastic instrument surround that surrounds the instrument cluster and goes over to surround the aircon controls. There are 3 screws at the bottom of this plastic panel (you can get to them by looking up, next to the woodgrain dash insert) and another two at the top in near the instrument cluster. You can't miss them.
Once all 5 screws are out, the plastic surround is held in by 2 clips at the top. A gentle tug on the top of the plastic surround is enough for them to come free and the whole plastic surruond to come out.
I'm not sure exactly where to go from here, but you will now be in a good position to easily remove the climate control module and check / repalce any blown globes. Hopefully the globes are easy to remove and you don't have to rip the whole unit apart (like replacing the globes in the cruise control switch...)!
Dan.
93 U13 Bluebird
5 spd
Finer Filter, Hi-Flow cat & 2.25" exhaust
17X7 Concept 5 wheels
2 inch lowered King Springs

Offline mortz

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Re: U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« Reply #2 on: Jun 16, 2007, 03:33PM »
Aah - someone else who has this annoying problem...
My climate control is half-backlit (the illumination for the fan, A/C and air direction doesnt work anymore).  The globes used are a very tiny sort that sit in a small plastic base that slots into the circuit board of the climate control unit.  I have been unable to find the globes yet (at MALZ/SuperCrap/etc).  This weekend (time permitting), I'm going to replace them all with some white LEDs from a dismantled LED torch.  Will let you know how it goes.
Was: 2.4i 12 Valve   Now: 2.4 DOHC 16 Valve   Next: 2.4 Quad Cam?? 32-Valve??
Nope -- 2.5 TT :D (1JZ-GTE)

Offline greenbird

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Re: U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« Reply #3 on: Jun 16, 2007, 09:46PM »
I'm going to replace them all with some white LEDs from a dismantled LED torch.

Be careful Mortz.
LED's are usually 1.5 volts. The globes used for the backlighting should be 12 volt globes.
I replaced the 12 volt cruise control 'on' light in my car a few months ago (the one inside the switch). The only suitable globe that I could find was through Jaycar.
The part number for this particular globe is SL2685 and they cost around 90 cents each.
Chances are, these will be suitable for the backlighting on your aircon controls aswell.
Good luck! Dan.
93 U13 Bluebird
5 spd
Finer Filter, Hi-Flow cat & 2.25" exhaust
17X7 Concept 5 wheels
2 inch lowered King Springs

Offline mortz

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Re: U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« Reply #4 on: Jun 16, 2007, 09:51PM »
LED's are usually 1.5 volts. The globes used for the backlighting should be 12 volt globes.

That's why I've got some resistors to go with them :)

My other consideration was to just buy some cheap globes from Jaycar and solder them on -- but I wanted something more classy ;)
Was: 2.4i 12 Valve   Now: 2.4 DOHC 16 Valve   Next: 2.4 Quad Cam?? 32-Valve??
Nope -- 2.5 TT :D (1JZ-GTE)

Offline greenbird

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Re: U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« Reply #5 on: Jun 17, 2007, 10:56AM »
That's why I've got some resistors to go with them :)

My other consideration was to just buy some cheap globes from Jaycar and solder them on -- but I wanted something more classy ;)

No worries mate. At least you know what you are doing! If all else fails, the globes that i suggested from Jaycar will do the job.
Report back and let us know how you go with the LED's....
Dan.
93 U13 Bluebird
5 spd
Finer Filter, Hi-Flow cat & 2.25" exhaust
17X7 Concept 5 wheels
2 inch lowered King Springs

Offline LUP15

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Re: U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« Reply #6 on: Jun 17, 2007, 12:31PM »
yes please report back and with some pictures too if u can :) my globes are half bust as well lol
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Offline mortz

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Re: U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« Reply #7 on: Jun 17, 2007, 09:37PM »
Ok -- all done ;D

Aside from removing the surrounding panels (detailed in previous posts), there are a few fiddly bits within the climate control unit itself; mainly, to remove the circuit board (optional), you need to remove the top two bulbs:

Apart from that, re-assembling the unit with the few extra wires added can be a little tricky too.

The great part about fitting LEDs instead of bulbs is that the original bulbs just happen to go through a 5mm hole -- i.e. no drilling because the LEDs are the same diameter!
Test fit with one LED in:


To ensure that light from the LEDs was better spread, I filed the ends flat as this very blurry photo sort-of depicts:

(LEDs tend to focus on a point rather than spreading light in all directions; this is why I filed them down a little.)

Bench-Test:


Quick (but blurry) shot of the small circuit board I made up:

I ended up using 680 ohm resistors.

Final test before re-fitting the unit to the car:


The reason why it's blue is because to make it look white in the first place, Nissan used blue paint to filter the orange-ish light from the original bulbs.  Should I remove this blue paint, it will now be white; but I reckon blue looks cool ;)

And, the finished product (very enlightening!)


So, if you wish to do this yourself, you need:
  • 4x 5mm LEDs in the colour of your choice
  • 4x Resistors to suit (680 ohm suited the LEDs I had; but you will always need to use Ohm's law to determine the correct resistance needed for your LEDs)
  • 1x small circuit board (not really needed; you could solder the resistors in-line with the wire, and heat-shrink it up)
  • A few lengths of light-duty hook-up wire (no you can't use the 4 guage left over from your stereo install ;D)
  • Heatshrink (you could go without, but I'd recommend it)
  • Usual electronics stuff (soldering iron, solder, wire cutters, haemostats, etc.
  • Timewise, it was about 3 hours between taking the unit out and putting it back in.

As per any guide, if you stuff it up, it isn't my fault :)

Enjoy!

- Mortz
« Last Edit: Jun 17, 2007, 10:54PM by mortz »
Was: 2.4i 12 Valve   Now: 2.4 DOHC 16 Valve   Next: 2.4 Quad Cam?? 32-Valve??
Nope -- 2.5 TT :D (1JZ-GTE)

Offline LUP15

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Re: U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« Reply #8 on: Jun 18, 2007, 03:04PM »
zomg YES! nice work. now whats ohms law again? my highschool physics is non-existant now haha

how bright is it? leds are known to be pretty harsh because they produce a focused light. also did you use white leds or blue led? i want just a plain white look ...

gw mate. karma for u
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Offline mortz

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Re: U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« Reply #9 on: Jun 18, 2007, 07:07PM »
The end result is probably around the same brightness as the factory illumination.
I used white LEDs; the blue is from the blue filter used to make the standard incandescent bulbs look white.  To go with the LED colour, you would need to find and sand away the blue paint used on the control panel.  This would probably make the illumination more intense (the white LEDs I used were very bright [read: blinding]), due to there being less media that the light has to travel through.

In terms of light spread, it's fairly even; you can barely notice that there's 4 separate LEDs, there are no overly bright or dark spots at all.
Was: 2.4i 12 Valve   Now: 2.4 DOHC 16 Valve   Next: 2.4 Quad Cam?? 32-Valve??
Nope -- 2.5 TT :D (1JZ-GTE)

Offline Budgie

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Re: U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« Reply #10 on: Jun 18, 2007, 07:22PM »
+karma to you mortz.

Great write up mate.  Looks fantastic! :)
dont piss me off with your pillarless shit captain snappy wrist

Offline greenbird

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Re: U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« Reply #11 on: Jun 18, 2007, 08:47PM »
Very well done Mortz.
The good thing is that this solution you have come up with can be used in any area where there is 12 volt backlighting.

Dan.

p.s. more Karma for you, you Karma whore  :)
93 U13 Bluebird
5 spd
Finer Filter, Hi-Flow cat & 2.25" exhaust
17X7 Concept 5 wheels
2 inch lowered King Springs

Offline mortz

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Re: U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« Reply #12 on: Jun 18, 2007, 11:45PM »
Gee, thanks guys! You make it all the more worthwhile :)

I tend to be handy with electronics stuff; any similar problems, ask away (separate thread of course!)

- Mortz.
Was: 2.4i 12 Valve   Now: 2.4 DOHC 16 Valve   Next: 2.4 Quad Cam?? 32-Valve??
Nope -- 2.5 TT :D (1JZ-GTE)

Offline chpearce

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Re: U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« Reply #13 on: Sep 7, 2007, 12:36PM »
Thanks all, I resorted to the jay car bulbs, took around an hour.

fun removing the dash! ...

I ended up soldering to the old bulbs contact points and a bit of hot melt  to hold them in place..

thanks again

Chris
U13 1995, Bluebird SSS, Manual,  Newbie

Offline Jono

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Re: U13 SSS climate control backlighting
« Reply #14 on: Sep 12, 2007, 04:54PM »
Hot glue will melt in summer ;)

Copy that DIY into the wiki section, mortz. +karma
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