DIY: Interior LED Color Change
 

INDEX:
[04-29-09] Visor Mirror
[04-22-09] Map Light
[08-15-09] Door Switch Panel - Driver
[08-15-09] Door Switch Panel - Passenger
[09-08-09] Ambient Light
[02/14/10] A/C Control Panel
[02/14/10] Start Switch
[02/14/10] SRM and Airbag Indicator
[04/25/10] Intelligent Key Assembly
[04/25/10] VDC Switch
[05/29/10] Gauge Cluster - Combination Meter Part 1
[05/29/10] Gauge Cluster - Combination Meter Part 2
[11/15/10] Gauge Cluster - Triple Meter
[05/22/10] Steering Wheel Controls
[03/20/11] Fuel/Temp Gauge Face

A/C Control Panel
 

1. Pop "up" the knobs to ease desoldering and removal of the complete rotary switch. Press in and lift, and then move to another side to make it easy to lift the knob.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297215562

2. Underneath the PCB, observe the large solder pads. Each rotary switch has two posts that need to be desoldered. Also, each rotary switch has 5 small terminals that need to be desoldered as well. Be very careful with these terminals as excess heat can delaminate and loosen the solder pad. Then the switch can be slowly pulled away from the PCB and out of the housing.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297215562

3. Below is a picture of the bottom of the rotary switch with the posts and terminals.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297215562

4. Below is a picture of the LEDs revealed when removing the rotary switches and releasing the PCB from the housing. The large PLCC LEDs are the indicators, while the small 0805 LEDs are for backlighting.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297215562

5. Here is the completed modification. Notice the S-MODE switch was modified as well.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297215562

Switches and Indicators (VDC, S-MODE, Audio Controls, Airbag, etc.)
 

S-MODE Switch
1. This switch is easy to pry off as long as you can get both sides out at once. Below is a picture of the back end removed to reveal the 0805 LED. (See HVAC mod for a glimpse of the white backlit S-MODE switch)
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297215812

Airbag Indicator
Original LED is 4 contacts. One terminal is +, the next is -, and the last two are not connected as shown in the diagram. I used a PLCC2 LED with two contacts, so I was not worried about the pads marked N/C.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297215812
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297215812

LOL you challenge yourself I can respect that. But wont this void warranties?

Haha yea. I had the entire interior lighting changed out in the 350Z. The 370Z is quite a bit more challenging, so it may require more disassembly than imagined.

Wow i'm impressed with the time you are putting in to the lighting ... it's looking pretty good .. That Passenger airbag blue leds is hardcore ... Good job

that's crazy bright.

Thanks! The 370Z interior lighting modification process is nowhere near straight forward compared to the 350Z. If anyone manages to get anything disassembled, please feel free to share the information. I'm better at soldering than disassembling... can't afford down time while working on this stuff.

If anyone knows the warranty-related ramifications to this mod please let us know. This looks awesome and I'd be interested in giving it a shot so long as nothing is voided.

Modifying anything will void the warranty for that part. If that part is connected to something else that ends up failing, they may try to void your warranty even if it's not directly correlated. What you might want to keep in mind is that the dealer will less likely to accept your car as trade-in when you have mods done to it. That happened with my 350Z even with LED bulbs. They don't want electrical failures caused by modifications like LED bulbs and swapping LED colors.

Am I worried? No... if something breaks, I better quickly find a replacement part. Right now I'm having difficulty disassembling some of the parts because I don't want to break them.

Any updates to this?
I had paid a guy 500 bux to switch all of the LED's in my old 07 maxima from orange to blue.. Its such an awesome mod, but very tedious work.. there was close to 100 tiny leds that my sausage fingers could never handle..
Curious how the Z dash would look in blue.

PS. I traded in my Maxima with blue/white LEDS on the dash/spedo/info screens.. they didn't give me any crap about it.

:tup: Go DIGI! Looking good!

My dealership said my car was a liability because of the mods. They didn't want to sell a car to their customers that was mods to the "electrical" system. If they did take in my car, then my trade-in would be far low than expected. With the 370Z, I definitely plan to exceed 6 years of ownership... I love this car so much more than my 350Z.

The most recent mod is the 3mm round amber LED courtesy light. It is an easy mod. Look at the MAP LIGHT mod thread as I've appended the instructions for the courtesy light.

I've not been able to pull apart the HVAC. It appears you will need to pop off the knobs to remove the PCB. IIRC, that's what I did with the 350Z. This mod will make a dramatic difference as the color will match my head unit and switches.

The START switch should be an easy mod, but I nearly broke it trying to loosen and disassemble it. I'll get around to it someday since I don't want to end up with a broken switch and no spare vehicle.

The key fob slot and VDC switch might be easy to access if I remove the lower section under the steering column, so I may try to mod this one next.

If I could find someone to do it I would happily pay quite well to get all the damn orange/amber whatever you call them leds changed to either green or red... this stuff is way to tedious for me, not to mention having arthritis in both hands it would not be fun to attempt messing with things that small for extended periods of time. Good work though digi

Any chance we could get a picture with all your lights on at night to see the difference you've made so far. I personally cant wait to see the dash in another color as I've never really cared for the amber color.

-William

I'll post it once the project is complete. Progress is at a standstill at the moment. Feel free to contribute if you attempt on your own. It took 3 days to complete the work in my 350Z. The 370Z is a bit more tedious.

From looking at the back of the circuit board, it's very similar to the 06+ model from 350Z
I've already done full LED conversion so this would not be problem for me to do...

You have to be really be careful with the start button..
I've done one for the Lexus IS and it's very complicated to take them apart...
If you want help let me know....

You don't need to drive to calibrate the needle... I've done it with stand still..
You just have to know where to position the needle....

For the steering wheel control..
You need to use Torx screw with security hole..
Which was used on the 350Z, I guess it's same for the 370Z

LEDmod, thank you for the advice. It has been cold so the project is at a stand still. I'd like to get the HVAC, steering wheel controls, and some buttons done first before working on the gauges.

If I can find anyone in So Cal, I can get every parts taken care of....

WOW nice work can't wait to see it all done. I went the alternative route and replaced the remaining white lights with amber so now it looks like florida threw up in my car every time u turn a light on.

Intelligent Key Assembly
 

1. To get access to the iKey assembly, remove one screw underneath the hood release latch. From underneath the steering column, pry away from the dash with your fingers. Work your way to the side to remove the cover under the dash. Be careful with the hood release cable and wire harnesses. Only pull enough to get access to the 2 screws needed to remove the key fob assembly.

2. There are two metal brackets. Remove the side that holds the PCB in place to get access to the 3rd security screw. Remove all 3 to get access to the PCB.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297216019

3. Circled in red is the right angle LED to change. PLCC2 fits this footprint as well when mounted on its side and properly soldered in place.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297216019

4. Completed modification.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297216019

VDC Switch
 

1. Use the same instructions for removing the dash panel to gain access to the key fob security assembly. There are 3 screws to remove the VDC switch bracket from the dash. The uppermost screw should be removed from behind the dash (easiest access) using a short Philips head screwdriver. The two bottom screws can be removed from underneath the steering column.

2. Pop the switch off the bracket. Then carefully pry the sides of the switch to release the connector end. Circled in red is the 0805 LED to change.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297216147

3. Completed modification. Notice the switch already has some yellow tint, so LED colors other than white should show up fine.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297216147

Start Switch
 

1. Pry both ends. It is quite difficult because the plastic is brittle and easy to break (I broke one side already). Then pry the inside section to slowly loosen the entire brown back end.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297216251

2. Below is a picture of the entire brown back end removed revealing the 0805 switch light and three PLCC indicators.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297216251

3. Completed modification.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297216251

Map Light
 

This mod is very simple like the 350Z. There is plenty of room to squeeze in a board with an array of LEDs. I decided to use Luxeon K2 Star for this custom mod.

First, pry the inner edge (toward the center) of the map light cover. This side is beveled to make it easier to pry. There are 4 pegs total to pop out. Pull straight down, not sideways.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297216391

The bulbs are 194 type like the license plate and trunk light, so you can simply swap them for an LED bulb. My custom K2 Star with BuckToot driver is on the left side.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297216391

Comparison picture. The drawback to LED is the hot spot in the center. It's not much of an annoyance since the light output is so much brighter and cleaner.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297216391

Mod complete!
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297216391

Ambient Light
 

1) Pry map light covers. On each corner of the roof switch assembly, there are 4 prongs to pry.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217022

2) Once the center piece has been removed. Pry and unlatch the LED module on each side.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217022

3) This is the exposed LED assembly. Pry the back end and sides to remove the harness cover, then pry the ends to remove the cover for the LED.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217022

4) Here is the exposed LED circuit with diode and 750 ohm resistor. You can change the resistor value to a lower value to increase LED brightness, but I decided to leave it alone.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217022

5) The LED is wedged into the friction terminals, and it is easily removable by tugging on it.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217022

6) The new LED 3mm round with diffused lens (milky white). The LED output color is white.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217022

7) Here it is fully assembled and operational (with my Luxeon LED map lights).
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217022

Mirror Visor LED
 

I had some PLCC2 surface mount white LEDs (also used for lighting up our gauge cluster and controls), so I strung 4 LEDs in series for each visor LED light.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217249

Pry both ends of the visor light cover away from the mirror. Try to avoid scratching the mirror or chipping the edges. Then pop off the original light bulb. Here's what it looks like.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217249

Here's a comparison shot of the LED mod:
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217249

Driver Side Door Switch
 

1) Here is the driver side door switch panel. Simply pry it from the door and disconnect a couple of wire harnesses. Do the same for passenger side.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217599

2) Pry back cover on all sides.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217599

3) Pry switch assembly from panel trim.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217599

4) Pop off the power window switch cap.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217599

5) Lift the switch assembly PCB.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217599

6) 3 LEDs are fully exposed. 4th LED is underneath the power window switch. Desolder the switch (3 terminals) to get access to the LED. The power mirror switch uses 2 LEDs.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217599

7) The LEDs are roughly 0805 size, but I used PLCC2 for this mod. The power mirror switch requires LEDs no larger than 0805 due to clearance with the switch wipers.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217599

8) Done! Driver side is a bit tedious to work on. The passenger side is much easier to work on. Be sure to follow window reset procedure.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217599

Passenger Side Door Switch
 

1) Pry switch assembly from trim panel.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217869

2) Pry back cover from all sides.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217869

3) There are two 0805 size LEDs to replace.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217869

4) Complete! Be sure to follow window reset procedure.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297217869

Steering Wheel Controls
 

*** DISCONNECT (-) BATTERY CABLE FIRST AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES! ***

1. Pop off the screw covers on each side of the steering column to reveal the security torx screws. The best tool to use to remove the screws is this socket with the T30 security torx.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297218042

2. Pull the airbag unit, but be careful with the airbag and control cables. Release the steering wheel control cable harness. Pull the green ground wire. Use a 7mm wrench to remove the nut holding the wires. Each control has two screws to remove, and then simply pop it off towards the back end.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297218042

3. Use 0805 LEDs (8 total) to change the color of the switch panel.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297218042
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297218042

4. Completed modification. Resistor change is not necessary as the illumination is more than adequate for night viewing.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297218042
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1297218042

Digi, do you plan on doing the triple gauge cluster over the center console?
I know it will require removing I think the dash as some have stated, but you would be the first at doing a full DIY(ish) on the forum.

I'm holding off on this mod because I may end up getting aftermarket gauges instead. However, 2theextreme is going to ship me his gauges for the mod work so I'll post the DIY for his gauges. Black Cat Custom will be making the custom gauge faces.

Digi, you really need to sloooow down lol I haven't even gotten the Driver's side door done, and your throwing all these new ideas at me! LoL

Bump... updated http://www.the370z.com/555660-post33.html

Digitonium - you do outstanding work, love this DIY

Thanks! :tiphat: It was tedious, but quite worth it.

Hey Digitonium,
Nice mods!!
I wanna do the mirror/visor light conversion to LED!!!!
I got no idea how to string the LED's together like you did. And Im not sure on the sizing of them either...
Do you know if any of the bulbs shown on this site would fit?
http://www.led-online.com.au/index.p...mart&Itemid=37
Keeping in mind Im in Australia!
Figured you would help with sizing and Volts etc

Want some for the map lights/ambient lights too but dont know what to use.
Hate having red lights in my sexy blue car! hahaha
Thanks for your help

That's really impressive you had the balls to take everything apart like that. Soldering anything above an 0402 size is no problem but I can't imagine taking my car apart and putting it back together like that.

I'm still trying to think of ideas on what I could do to my car using a microcontroller.