Plug 'n Play LED Kits

Install Part 1: Dash Cluster

OK to start withyou will need to access your cluster, following the tech article here http://www.pexcom.com.au/z32cms/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.312

I didn't need to remove my cluster entirely for the install, however it will make accessing the bulbs a little easier. For the install guide I am going to use pics of a spare cluster that I had laying around.

To start with identify the following LED's in your kit. Please note the dash cluster LED's are five LED NOT six LED (which were supplied for the exterior kit). The five LED clusters actually give a more diffuse light pattern (wider angle) so it is important you use the right part.

Dash Cluster
5 x Wedge base bulbs with 5 LED's/bulb
Supplied in your choice of colour



Dash Extras
1 x Wedge base bulb with 5 LED's/bulb
8 x miniature wedge base SMD type LED with 3 LED's
All White





Here is the cluster removed from the dash.



The four plugs circled in yellow are for the cluster, the nine plugs circled in red are for the dash extras kit. I have included an LED for the low fuel indicator (not circled) in all kits, however I would not advise fitting it as it will be on constantly. Most of you will end up with a spare bulb, however for the price of the part (compared to shipping etc) it was easier to include one in every kit rather than offer the choice.

Remove the plugs. The pic below shows the plugs removed from the housings.



From here it's simply a matter of pulling the incandescant bulbs out, pushing the correct LED's in, and refitting the twist lock plugs. Now the larger bulbs are not polarity sensitive, however the SMD type LED's supplied for the dash extras kit are, so I would reccomend refitting the dash for a test fit before re installing trim etc.

 

Hi Chad, I do remember PM'ing back and forth etc and the lights supplied are exactly what I said they would be. The lights with six LED's pointing forward in a cluster are actually more of a direction light with a 35* beam. The five LED cluster type that I have supplied behave more like an incandescant bulb with a 220* spread of light. Some hot spotting is inevitable with LED's (as pictured) but the lights that I have supplied will deliver the best results.

 

Install Part 2: Pods

On to the pods.

Again I have some spare pods that have already been removed from the car. Removing your pods is very easy, and is describe in this tech article http://www.pexcom.com.au/z32cms/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.312

Pod Kit
1 x "small" twist lock LED
5 x "medium" twist lock LED
2 x "large" twist lock LED
1 x component LED
1 x resistor
1 x heat shrink
Supplied in your choice of colour

We'll start with the light control pod as it's the easiest. For the light control pod you need the 5 x "medium" twist lock LEDs pictured below.



Here is a shot of the reverse of the pod. Please note not all cars will require a Cruise Control LED, but again I have included one in every kit. Changing the bulbs out for LED's is as easy as twisting (use a flat blade screwdriver) the old incandescant bulb out and fitting the new LED. Please note the LED's are polarity sensitive, so I would reccomend reconnecting and making sure that they all work prior to refitting the pod. If any are not working you will need to rotate it 180*. You might want to mark the base with a texta or similar as rotating these can be a real pain in the arse by the time you juggle them out!



OK so on to the wiper/climate control pod.

The parts used in the wiper pod are the two "large" twist lock LED's, the one "small" twist lock LED, the component LED and the resistor.

The below pic shows the rear of the pod.



Change out the LED's for Auto/Demister bulbs and the two digital display bulbs in the same manner as for the light control pod. When you go to refit the LED's you will be surprised to discover that they don't fit. The "body" of the twist lock housing is the correct size, however the locating tabs (circled below) are too long. You will need to trim these a little with a stanley knife in order to fit the LED's. When I fit these to Ryzan's car I took a little off each end of the tab to achieve a snug fit.



Again these LEDs are polarity sensitive so you will need to do a quck test before refitting the pod.

Now the wiper control is a little more trouble. Start by removing the wiper control assembly. To do this you will need to pry the rotating selector switch off with a flat blade screwdriver, and remove the screws (location indicated by yellow circles) holding the assembly in place.

The pic below shows the control assembly removed from the pod. THe little brown rubber plug that is circled in red contains the bulb illumination bulb, pry it out gently.



Take a minute to look at how the wires for the light bulb are wrapped around the plug so as they make contact when it is reinserted into the control assembly. You need to wrap the "legs" of the LED the same way.



Pull the incandescant bulb out of the housing, and insert the LED as pictured below.

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/5799/img2444p.jpg[img]

The resistor needs to be connected to the positive (longest) leg of the LED. If you are proficient with soldering then of course this is preferable, however you can simply twist as pictured below and then cover with the supplied heat shrink. The connection is not subject to any load or movement once reinstalled so twist and heat shrink is more than secure enough.

[img]http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/220/img2445h.jpg

Twist the negative "leg" of the LED and the loose end of the resistor through the rubber plug, and reinstall. Be very careful when twisting the wiring through as the plug is soft rubber and will tear if you try and force it. Fit the harness plug to the control assembly and check for light operation before refitting to the pod housing.

 

So is this the lights on the dash extras kit? There are five holes, but they weren't all used on the dash that I used for test fit/mockup. I just included enough parts to plug all the holes

Also yes the display is tinted so warning lights should come up coloured.

 

Install Part 3: Console Kit

I'm going to keep this one fairly simple as it's a very straight forward install.

Console Kit
3 x SMD x 3 type LED
White
3 x miniature wedge base LED
Supplied in your choice of colour (red pictured below)



The bezel warning lights (Lights, HICAS, ABS in my car) are best installed at the same time as the cluster lights, when the bezel is already apart. Follow the instructions in this tech article http://www.pexcom.com.au/z32cms/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.312 to remove the bezel, and remove the three plugs for the warning lights. Swap the SMD type LEDs in for the incandescant bulbs and you're done! Please note the bezel is tinted, hence white LED's have been supplied with the kit.

I'm actually going to cheat a little with the igntion ring, ash tray, and ciggy lighter installs. The pics below are from the manual that I received with another kit I purchased ages back. The bulb type is the same for this step so instructions will be the same too.







As with the previous installs, do a quick check to make sure polarity is correct and lights are functioning prior to reassembling any trims etc.

 

Hi, yes that looks like everything!

 

Install Part 4: Interior

Another straightforward writeup for this one.

Interior Kit
1 x 4 SMD type festoon bulb for the dome light
2 x 3 SMD wedge type bulbs for map lights
Supplied in your choice of colour



Optional 5 x SMD wedge base bulb for auto shifter illumination and 2+2 boot illumination.



To install the dome light Festoon simply remove the dome light cover with your fingers (no screwdrivers!) and swap the incandescant bulb out for the new LED bulb. Make sure the LEDs are installed facing down.

To install the map lights remove the cover with your fingertips, and again simply swap out the bulbs for the SMD type LEDs. In my case I had to retension the bulb holders to ensure good contact with the LEDs, be very gently if you need to do this also as the metal is old and brittle and will snap easily.

Test before reinstalling covers.

 

Hmm can you PM me a picture of exactly what you received?

 

Install Part 5: Exterior

Exterior Kit
2 x SMD x 5 OR SMD x 6 wedge base bulbs
2 x LED x 6 wedge base bulbs
Supplied in your choice of heat range



OK so on to the exterior installation. Please note the exterior kit is four pieces only, and you will have EITHER the SMD x 5 OR the SMD x 6 for your driving lights depending on the heat range you ordered.

Starting at the front of the car follow this tech article http://www.pexcom.com.au/z32cms/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.375 to access the bulb holders for your driving light. Swap out the incandescant bulbs and fit the LED bulbs. Test operation and reverse polarity if needed before reinstalling.

To fit your license plate lights follow the step below. As with the interior lights you may need to retension the bulb holders (I did) -be careful! Oh and this would be a great time to clean the plastic covers, they were filthy on my car!