I started working on upgrading the backlighting in my instrument cluster, following ctuinstra's work (details
HERE) doing the same thing. Chad's work saved me a lot of time figuring out the details myself. I will be using the same LEDs (info
HERE), but attempting to run them all in parallel to reduce the work required to modify the circuit board. So far I have the old bulbs desoldered and the new LEDs soldered in. Some notes if anyone else attempts this:
- The polarity of the center two bulbs behind the fuel gauge are upside down (ground at the top, supply at the bottom).
- The LEDs have a center contact pad used for thermal dissipation is also a 2nd cathode (ground). As a result, I soldered the LEDs as far down on the ground pad so that the center cathode did not touch the supply (anode) pad. Close up picture below.
I am waiting on my power regulator to finish. I used a bench power supply to test the new setup and WOW. The color went from yellow to a almost ice blue color. The lighting is much brighter and more even.
New LEDs installed (two behind each gauge location)
Close up of how I shifted the LEDs as far towards the cathode to avoid a short.
Poor picture of what it looks like (much better in real life)