HOWTO: 2005 STI HVAC Red Light Mod - Page 5

***VSGTS14*** · 11-22-2005, 06:11 PM

it's coming from a 12v source.

Riceman · 12-06-2005, 06:21 PM

Anyone do this to an 06 yet, if it is the same or similar to the 05 looks like I will have a project to do this weekend, along with killing my daytime running lights.

***VSGTS14*** · 12-07-2005, 06:53 AM

its the same.

NewShockerGuy · 12-11-2005, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VSGTS14

it's coming from a 12v source.

Since I have MANY 12v LEDS I don't have to use a resistor!! This makes the install even easier than I thought it was going to be... I might be putting two 12v leds in each dial..

-Nigel

Stryker · 12-12-2005, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewShockerGuy

Since I have MANY 12v LEDS I don't have to use a resistor!! This makes the install even easier than I thought it was going to be... I might be putting two 12v leds in each dial..

-Nigel

Please post pics of the procedure. Lots of them.

NewShockerGuy · 12-15-2005, 05:24 PM

I have my HVAC lights completly apart... this is a pain in the ass... It would be a lot easier if the buttons didn't have a green translucent plastic backing... now my red leds are not bright at all....

Yuck!

-Nigel

OneWay · 12-16-2005, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewShockerGuy

I have my HVAC lights completly apart... this is a pain in the ass... It would be a lot easier if the buttons didn't have a green translucent plastic backing... now my red leds are not bright at all....

Yuck!

-Nigel

I havn't done this one yet.

Is the green plastic backing you mention the same stuff that is on the back of the other buttons? like the I/C Spray button.

Can it be removed like it can on the other buttons?

NewShockerGuy · 12-16-2005, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneWay

I havn't done this one yet.

Is the green plastic backing you mention the same stuff that is on the back of the other buttons? like the I/C Spray button.

Can it be removed like it can on the other buttons?

Not at all actually... Because the entire back piece is green PLASTIC that is attached to the actual dial itself... if it was like the IC button it would be cake... I am half temped to try and remove the green plastic with my dremel but I know what is going to happen... I am going to go too deep and go through the dial and then you will see it through the other side and I will have to buy another dial...

Actually looking at it now it looks like there is no physical way of removing the pieces, they look as one.

-Nigel

STiSpeed · 12-19-2005, 06:46 AM

You know if I knew anything about wiring, soldering, and all that other electrical crap I would do this, but I have no idea where to even begin.

HumboldtBlazer · 01-25-2006, 01:39 PM

everyone says to paint the bulbs but no one tells you what kind of paint to use.

drbiggieg · 03-30-2006, 12:02 PM

maybe a refresher on this might help... eh I dono....

I just did mine in all red, I will post pics up in a bit. Of course the tricky part was actually surpassing the green colored plstic. SO, with that in mind, I soldered 2 white light small (very small) bulbs on the board. in addition to the 3 leds which are white light as well. I placed the new bulbs in a V shape so what the inside of the V goes around the middle oem led. After this I was able to push in the button. Besides light bulbs will be brighter than the leds and if you use white light you have a better chance to see the red. I also used for a filter the red sticky stuff you would use to fix a broken tailight. that stuff works great b/c it's clear and red and it's w/glue. I will post pics later, but this seems to be a good solution. let me know what you guys think.

Radu

***JDM-STI*** · 04-07-2006, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drbiggieg

maybe a refresher on this might help... eh I dono....

I just did mine in all red, I will post pics up in a bit. Of course the tricky part was actually surpassing the green colored plstic. SO, with that in mind, I soldered 2 white light small (very small) bulbs on the board. in addition to the 3 leds which are white light as well. I placed the new bulbs in a V shape so what the inside of the V goes around the middle oem led. After this I was able to push in the button. Besides light bulbs will be brighter than the leds and if you use white light you have a better chance to see the red. I also used for a filter the red sticky stuff you would use to fix a broken tailight. that stuff works great b/c it's clear and red and it's w/glue. I will post pics later, but this seems to be a good solution. let me know what you guys think.

Radu

Pictures please.
I'm interested to see how the tail light tape worked. That was the first thing that popped in my head when considering this mod. And a red transparent paint for the lights.

***JDM-STI*** · 04-08-2006, 06:16 AM

I wonder if just putting some of the red tail light repair tape on the back side of the HVAC knobs would do the trick with out painting the LED's...

KiTsuNe · 04-08-2006, 10:29 AM

You can always go to your local DJ shop and buy 1 sheet of red film they use for concert lighting. They should have many shades of any color for you to choose from.

asf · 04-12-2006, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhluhr

What about just replacing the surface-mount LED's on the board? Seems like that might be easier (albeit, require more skill with the iron)

ardinos addressed that but I havent tried it myself so I dont know how hard it is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardinos

Ok, the stereo was done to red by following directions I found posted elsewhere, nasioc has them I believe and they may also be posted on this website. Basically it's very easy, remove the stereo, pop off the face plate via the clips on the side, put bulb covers on the bulbs (or paint them like I did.) Put it back together.

The three LEDs that are in the HVAC controls stock can't really be replaced. At least I couldn't do it, if you can you're a better man, (and solderer,) than I am. They're small square LEDs with 4 contacts, I'm not even sure how they work, what's positive, ground etc. Trust me, leave them be, paint them red and put another LED in there.

To do the drivers side window control I had to pop the Green LEDs that are similar to those little square LED's in the HVAC controls off. I couldn't solder the new LED's I put in there back to the contacts that already existed so I had to wire them separate.

About the most complicated I'll go is the 4 LED's for the HID headlight leveler switch. Anything more complicated than that I won't tinker with.

11-22-2005, 06:11 PM	#61
*VSGTS14* Muller Chevrolet Car: 05 WRB STi Fav Mod: fp green Location: Milford, NJ Posts: 9,437 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (8)	it's coming from a 12v source. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

12-06-2005, 06:21 PM	#62
Riceman Junior STI Driver Car: 06 OBP STi Location: The Woodlands /Houston, T Posts: 62 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Anyone do this to an 06 yet, if it is the same or similar to the 05 looks like I will have a project to do this weekend, along with killing my daytime running lights.

12-07-2005, 06:53 AM	#63
*VSGTS14* Muller Chevrolet Car: 05 WRB STi Fav Mod: fp green Location: Milford, NJ Posts: 9,437 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (8)	its the same.

12-15-2005, 05:24 PM	#66
NewShockerGuy The Next Petter Solberg Car: 05' STI Fav Mod: Defi gauges, or TXS TBE or JDM sidemarkers...arg! Location: FairFax VA Posts: 926 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	I have my HVAC lights completly apart... this is a pain in the ass... It would be a lot easier if the buttons didn't have a green translucent plastic backing... now my red leds are not bright at all.... Yuck! -Nigel

12-19-2005, 06:46 AM	#69
STiSpeed Professional STI Racer Car: 05 World Rally Blue Location: Ohio Posts: 773 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	You know if I knew anything about wiring, soldering, and all that other electrical crap I would do this, but I have no idea where to even begin.

01-25-2006, 01:39 PM	#70
HumboldtBlazer STI Driver Car: 05 Subaru STi Fav Mod: hazard button Location: Slumboldt Posts: 296 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (2)	everyone says to paint the bulbs but no one tells you what kind of paint to use.

03-30-2006, 12:02 PM	#71
drbiggieg Junior STI Driver Car: 05 STI Black Fav Mod: V-Limited Lip Location: Allen, TX Posts: 129 Join Date: Jul 2004 Trader Rating: (1)	maybe a refresher on this might help... eh I dono.... I just did mine in all red, I will post pics up in a bit. Of course the tricky part was actually surpassing the green colored plstic. SO, with that in mind, I soldered 2 white light small (very small) bulbs on the board. in addition to the 3 leds which are white light as well. I placed the new bulbs in a V shape so what the inside of the V goes around the middle oem led. After this I was able to push in the button. Besides light bulbs will be brighter than the leds and if you use white light you have a better chance to see the red. I also used for a filter the red sticky stuff you would use to fix a broken tailight. that stuff works great b/c it's clear and red and it's w/glue. I will post pics later, but this seems to be a good solution. let me know what you guys think. Radu

04-08-2006, 06:16 AM	#73
*JDM-STI* Platinum Member Car: 05' CGM/Silver STI Fav Mod: UR 35R and Hydra tune by Scott Siegel :) Location: Columbus, GA Posts: 1,590 Join Date: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (7)	I wonder if just putting some of the red tail light repair tape on the back side of the HVAC knobs would do the trick with out painting the LED's...

04-08-2006, 10:29 AM	#74
KiTsuNe Spec C Club Car: The Vroom-mobile Fav Mod: JDM Gears Location: San Jose, California Posts: 2,287 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	You can always go to your local DJ shop and buy 1 sheet of red film they use for concert lighting. They should have many shades of any color for you to choose from.