LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

Does anyone know the replacement bulbs/LEDs used for these 2 to 3 switches found below the 4x4 controls in the center console? My Tow and Height CTRL back lights are out, and want to see about replacing them. The spec states they are dimming LEDs, but I'm not sure if it's correct or not as most LEDs don't go out like this

Re: LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

I'm pretty certain that they're not LEDs...but LoJac963 is the one you need to talk to. Shoot him a PM...he's replaced all the dash bulbs with LEDs (several times).

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...highlight=leds

Re: LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

Thanks Guruerror!

Those button packs have odd lighting. Some of are plastic posts with contacts at the bottom while others are just straight lights. Unfortunately I didn't take a lot of pics when I did my LED conversion (stupid I know) but everything is easily replaced with LED or standard filament bulbs.

You'll have to pull the center stack apart to get to the button packs. Once you have them removed the backs will pry off-carefully. Once you have access to the innards, it is as simple as desoldering the old bulb and replacing with new. If LED's are the route you want to go then you'll need some 5mm LED's diffused lens.

Hope that helps a little, if you have any other questions just let me know!

Re: LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

I recently changed my dash over to led, and yes the oem bulbs are not led. I used 3mm bulbs for my climate control and all the switches and 5mm for the Guage cluster.
Such a improvement. When I have time I will do the window and seat switches. Anyone know if these switches are a 12 v power source as well and are they 3mm bulbs?
Btw the steering controls pita lol

Re: LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

Most of the door lights are actually SMD LED's mounted from the bottom of the board firing upwards. 3mm LED's work fine but you have to get very creative with bending the leads and soldering them in. You can get the LED bulb to fit in the holes where the SMD's fired though then just bend the leads and solder them in. Not impossible by any means.

For these controls you'll need a very good solder wick because you need to completely desolder the old lights. If you pull on them at all the contacts on the board will pull off as well-this happened to me. Luckily I could jump the leads from other areas of the board for full functionality. Just be very careful, those boards are not as forgiving as the other boards-say as in the center stack or radio.

Re: LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

Thanks for the great tips, much appreciated. I assume the door panels req removing to remove the switches as well? What colour bulbs did you install?

Re: LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

You do not have to remove the door panels. Everything pops out from the door panel. Just be very careful. One of my bezels on the passenger side cracked-the one for the window controls. Then I broke the tab which holds in the passenger seat heater controls. Bought replacements so everything is good now however.

I used white LED's everywhere and red in the seat heater controls. Odd thing is the traction/trailer switches have some sort of blue tint to them-must be something to do with the lens over each button.

Re: LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

Good to know, Would it be maybe safer to remove the panels perhaps.
Do you find the steering wheel controls bright? Did you trim the blue rubber cover around the bulbs

Thanks again

Re: LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

I guess I don't notice the traction/trailer switches any different as I'm using blue LEDs, they may not be quite as bright if I look closely.

Re: LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

The white I used is not too bright, definitely brighter than stock but not overwhelming at night. Everything is just a crisp white light. I just removed all those blue covers on the regular bulbs. I figured those were to disperse the light better and not have hot spots which is the purpose of the diffused lens LED's.

Re: LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

I have confirmed the exact bulb replacement is Eiko 8640. LoJac, the reason why it looks different is that these bulbs do not have rubber filters. The blue filter is in the button housing itself, unlike most of the other bulbs; which I'm still trying to find actual part numbers. I did find the replacement bulb for the headlight control: JKL DNW21-EW89/GRA/32.5MM/39-08-5H

Question on the 4x4 switches, am I really going to have to un-solder the pins to get to the back of the PCB board?

Re: LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

On the 4x4 control I didn't remove the circuit board from the housing, I snipped off the bulbs and soldered the new bulbs on the exposed side of the board.

Re: LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

Yep, good call CMD. I did the same thing, and it worked perfectly. Thanks!

Re: LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

I took apart the door panels to continue with my conversion to led not as simple as I thought. The voltage to the bulbs is not 12 v in fact some are 3v some closer to 7v . The types of LEDs also vary in the window switch and seat control section.
Any recommendations on which size/type and voltage of led to use. HELP!

There is a guy online Led-switch.com who has a good selection

Please

Re: LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches
 

I replied to your PM, sorry I didn't see it earlier. The notification went to my spam mail for some reason.

I believe 3 volt LED's worked in in the doors and window controls but I will confirm that on Monday. A number of the LEDs are SMD so you have to get pretty creative with how to mount the new LEDs. Nothing impossible by any means though.