AC Control LED Installation
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/ACControlLCDLights.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7WzqprXKg8



This is a step by step tutorial of how to install LED's into your AC controls. This is for B14 cars, b13 cars could be similar, but I don't have a B13 to test on.

If you would like to install LED's into your Cluster Dash, please follow the instructions that are found here (http://www.sr20forum.com/technical-information-library/204685-how-installing-new-cluster-gauge-lights.html).

Please do at your own risk, I'm not responsible for any damage that you might cause to your self or your car.

Things That You Will Need

Two 74 Wedge LED Bulbs.
Now you can get these from superbrightleds.com, the ones in the picture below, but they are a bit dim. I contacted Superbrightleds.com and they said they will be releasing some brighter ones around 09/28/07. So if you want, you can hold off for a bit, but I don't know if the brighter one will be white only or other colors too.
You can find the not so bright ones on this page (http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=CAR&keywords=&cart_id=5311714.23956&next=50)
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/ACLightsSuperBrightLEDs.jpg

EDIT: It looks like the bulb is out, but it looks like they only come in white :(. To find it search for " 74-WHP Wedge Base LED Bulb" on this page (http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=CAR&keywords=&cart_id=5311714.23956&next=50)


Flat head screwdriver/knife
Phillips Screwdriver


Installation

1. You will be working with electronic equipment, if you want you can disconnect the battery, just to be safe. You will not be cutting any wires, so you don't have to disconnect the battery, just keep the lights off and the key out of the ignition.


2. Between the Hazards button and the Rear Window Defroster, there should be a little plastic cap. Take your screw driver/knife and from underneath pop the plastic cap off.

Unscrew the single screw that is holding the cover.
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0001.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0002.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0003.jpg


3. After you have unscrewed the single screw, open your ash tray. You cannot take off the cover without opening the ash tray.

Now take your knife and start sticking it into similar spots like shown in the pictures. This will release the little plastic latches on the inside.

Then take off the cover

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0005.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0006.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0009.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0007.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0010.jpg


4. Unplug the Hazard and the Defroster buttons. They should have some easy releases on them, be careful not to break anything.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0011.jpg


5. At first I tried to work with the bulbs without taking out the Stereo and the AC controls. But i found it very hard to squeeze in, and almost lost one of the bulbs. I suggest you take off the Stereo, and take out the AC controls panel.

There should be 4 screws holding the AC controls panel and the stereo, simply unscrew them, and take out the stereo.

You will need to carefully work with the AC controls panel. There are some cables connected to it, and you don't want to break anything. You will need to push in the AC controls panel, then push it down and then turn it sideways for it to come out.
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0012.jpg


6. On the top of the AC controls panel you should see a blue cable plugging into two locations. This is were your original light bulbs are at. You will need to turn the light bulb holder and pull it out.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0013.jpg

Stock light bulbs:
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0014.jpg

Led to Stock Bulb comparison:
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0015.jpg


7. Once you take the stock bulbs out of the sockets, you will see this:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0016.jpg

Now for me, the LED's were a little bit thicker then the socket, so they had a hard time going in and staying on.

So I had to widen the sockets a bit:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0017.jpg


8. Now put the LED into the widened bulb socket

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0018.jpg

IMPORTANT! You want to test the light bulbs before assembling everything.
The light bulbs are polorized, so if it doesn't turn on one way, just take out the bulb and twist it.

After you have done that, turn your lights on and see if they turn on, if they do you are ready to put everything back

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0019.jpg


9. Put the AC Controls back in place, then put the stereo back in place and screw in the screws.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0020.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0021.jpg


10. Put the cover back on, screw in the screw and put the plastic cap back on.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0022.jpg

Now you can test them out, they will be much more visible at night, but still a little too dim.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Cosmetics/Interior/AC%20Control%20Lights/0023.jpg

Good luck and post any suggestions or comments :biggthump

is that done with your stock gauges

that looks good man! much better than old stock cigarette burn yellow, haha.

I have the same question, did you do the same with your gauges?


- thom

yes, it will work the same with the gauges, but the bulbs are like a 194 i believe (i did the same thing to mine)

is that done with your stock gauges

Yep :D

that looks good man! much better than old stock cigarette burn yellow, haha.

I have the same question, did you do the same with your gauges?


- thom

Yes sir I did, but different light bulbs. You can find the writeup for those here (http://www.sr20forum.com/technical-information-library/204685-how-installing-new-cluster-gauge-lights.html).

yes, it will work the same with the gauges, but the bulbs are like a 194 i believe (i did the same thing to mine)

The light bulbs that I used are these, but they are not bright enough. In couple days SuperBrightLEDs.com will release brighter ones. So hold off if you wish them to be brighter. :biggthump

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/AC%20Control%20Lights/ACLightsSuperBrightLEDs.jpg

NVM. Found the answer to my question.

get the LUXEON led for the 194 wedge.. those are the brightest LED out there.

Nice. The only problem is that at night you cannot tell whats hot and cold they are both blue :eek2: .

get the LUXEON led for the 194 wedge.. those are the brightest LED out there.

Got a link? :)

Nice. The only problem is that at night you cannot tell whats hot and cold they are both blue :eek2: .

True, but I think I've driven the car enough to know that the hot is on the right side while cold is on the left :rofl:

But I think the bright white might be the best solution to that :biggthump

If you're worried about the difference between red and blue, then just get white LED bulbs. They're still brighter, and look cleaner, and you can still tell the difference between reds and blues.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/store/html/images/wled-whp.jpg

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=CAR&keywords=&cart_id=2296277.32743&next=50

WLED-WHP Pure White High Power
12 VDC Wedge Base bulb (194/168 type)
With High Power Pure White LED
Our brightest bulb of this type - Polarized bulb

noice, will soon do this sone i pick up my se-r..

he liu how are ya doin?

http://www.superbrightleds.com/store/html/images/wled-whp.jpg

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=CAR&keywords=&cart_id=2296277.32743&next=50

WLED-WHP Pure White High Power
12 VDC Wedge Base bulb (194/168 type)
With High Power Pure White LED
Our brightest bulb of this type - Polarized bulb

Good idea if you want the white LED :biggthump

True, but I think I've driven the car enough to know that the hot is on the right side while cold is on the left :rofl:

But I think the bright white might be the best solution to that :biggthump
Me too, it would be for the passengers benefit but who wants them screwing with the controlles anyways.

Only suggestion, since you asked...


Get rid of that ricey shift knob! ;) Just messin with ya mang. Whatever you like is all that matters.

Only suggestion, since you asked...


Get rid of that ricey shift knob! ;) Just messin with ya mang. Whatever you like is all that matters.

Hahaha no no I know its ricey, it's from my ricey days... I got rid of the picture so that it doesn't bother anyone :)

It kinda looks like a momo one, but just with ricey lights, which I'm not buying batteries for lol

Me too, it would be for the passengers benefit but who wants them screwing with the controlles anyways.

True... they shouldn't be touching my controls to begin with :tongue: :rofl:

my friend has the same shifter just no lights, there screws.. its got a comfortable feel to it :)

my friend has the same shifter just no lights, there screws.. its got a comfortable feel to it :)

It is a pretty good shifter :biggthump

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/covertrussian/Sentra%20SE-L/Best%20Shots/CIMG6755.jpg

hey man great write up and thanks for sharing. Now i can match my hvac with my Autometer Colbalt gauges.

My friend did the same with his cluster, but he got the led bulbs that change color blue to red with a switch.