LEDs/Bulb Replacement for Traction/Tow Switches

[LoJac963]

Originally Posted by clsimmon

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

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!

[cmd]

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

[LoJac963]

Originally Posted by cmd

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

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.

[cmd]

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?

[LoJac963]

Originally Posted by cmd

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?

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.

[cmd]

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

[cmd]

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.

[LoJac963]

Originally Posted by cmd

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

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.