DIC Button LED Question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
DIC Button LED Question
Just got my vert back from the dealer this afternoon after two days worth of repairs. They only missed one thing that I asked to be done, and that was to replace the LED that illuminates the bottom two buttons on the DIC. How tough is it to remove those buttons to get at the LED and how tough is it to remove and replace that LED? I may just do it myself rather than schedule another service call... TIA.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 2
From: Valdosta GA
Best info on doing that would be at www.spdkilz.com. This has detailed instructions on placing blue LED's in various electonics in the C5 (door panel window controls, HVAC display and DIC controls). That will show you how to get to the existing lights and what to do to change the bulbs, etc. Very first item under "Tech Tips" is DIC LED install.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Thank you very much for the link. 
Oh Jeez... A 41 step procedure?!!! Ugh... 
No thanks. I can see now why the dealership "accidentally" forgot to perform this repair. It would have taken them awhile... I had no idea that the entire gauge cluster would have to come out!! 
Well, I've still got a year and 12k left on my GMPP warranty... There's always next time... 
I was really hoping it would be a "just pull off the buttons, they pop right off, twist the bulb counter-clockwise a half a turn and it pops right out!" sort of deal.
Oh Jeez... A 41 step procedure?!!! Ugh... No thanks. I can see now why the dealership "accidentally" forgot to perform this repair. It would have taken them awhile... I had no idea that the entire gauge cluster would have to come out!! Well, I've still got a year and 12k left on my GMPP warranty... There's always next time... I was really hoping it would be a "just pull off the buttons, they pop right off, twist the bulb counter-clockwise a half a turn and it pops right out!" sort of deal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 1
From: Torrance CA
Originally Posted by JMc
I was really hoping it would be a "just pull off the buttons, they pop right off, twist the bulb counter-clockwise a half a turn and it pops right out!" sort of deal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,294
Likes: 480
From: Brea CA
This is a do it your self project. It would take about an hour to remove the IP to replace the light.
If you want to all of the lights behind the controls can be changed out to LEDs within 3 hours or less. As was posted earlier all of the instructions with pictures are on www.spdkilz.com.
If you want help changing these just PM me.
Gary
If you want to all of the lights behind the controls can be changed out to LEDs within 3 hours or less. As was posted earlier all of the instructions with pictures are on www.spdkilz.com.
If you want help changing these just PM me.
Gary
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Oh-oh Gary. Be careful what you offer. You busy a week from Saturday? Ha ha. Are the LED's dimmable? If I wind up having to go through all this effort, I might just go that route. But all kidding aside, thank you for the offer of help 
but I think I'm probably just going to have the dealer "deal" with it at some point. My problem is if I went the LED route, I'd want to do it ALL.
but I think I'm probably just going to have the dealer "deal" with it at some point. My problem is if I went the LED route, I'd want to do it ALL.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,294
Likes: 480
From: Brea CA
I have time the last Saturday of the month. I have my Vette interior done in LEDs. If you want to see it before doing the installation, there is a car show/gathering at Fudruckers on El Toro Rd in Lake Forest just off the 5 FWY every Tuesday from 5 to ???. On the days that I go, I get there by 6:45PM.
Gary
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
Just and FYI... If you plan to just replace the factory bulbs, make SURE your dealer carries them in stock. I have found they are a VERY difficult item to find in stock.
You can get them from GM parts direct. part # is 16057072 They run about $2.25 each from parts direct. Local parts counter is $4.50 each. There are also 4 very tiny bulbs on the left side that illuminate the HUD and dimmer controls. I don't have that part number handy, but if wanted, let me know... I can look it up.
If you convert to LED's you can remove the bulb from the socket and re-use them...just be carefull. I've seen some that are fairly brittle while working with them.
You can get them from GM parts direct. part # is 16057072 They run about $2.25 each from parts direct. Local parts counter is $4.50 each. There are also 4 very tiny bulbs on the left side that illuminate the HUD and dimmer controls. I don't have that part number handy, but if wanted, let me know... I can look it up.
If you convert to LED's you can remove the bulb from the socket and re-use them...just be carefull. I've seen some that are fairly brittle while working with them.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Good info. Thanks, guys. A Fudruckers burger sounds good. I haven't had one in a long time. I just may drive out Tuesday to say hello and check out your LED's. If so, I will send you a PM to make sure you're going to be there, first. Thanks.
I am curious about the regular stock bulbs, though... Are they prone to failure? I'm not sure I want to hassle with replacing the stock bulb (even with the dealer doing it) if others are going to start buring out anyway. At least LED's would presumably last a lot longer than the stockers, right?
I am curious about the regular stock bulbs, though... Are they prone to failure? I'm not sure I want to hassle with replacing the stock bulb (even with the dealer doing it) if others are going to start buring out anyway. At least LED's would presumably last a lot longer than the stockers, right?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
I think it would be safe to say the LED's would last nearly forever. I've not seen a whole lot of these small accessory bulbs burn't out. That may, in part, be why none of the Chevy dealers carry them as standard stock parts. Every time I've needed some, I've had to order. No-one in the Dallas area carries that bulb in stock.
The change out is actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
The change out is actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 0
From: Langhorne PA
Originally Posted by JMc
My problem is if I went the LED route, I'd want to do it ALL.
