NEW Interior LED Mod Thread
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
Use some jumper wires and go from the connector at the bottom of the hood where harness plugs in and see what happens when you go to the LED, then see what happens when you connect the bulb
(this is eliminating the switch in the light housing)?
(this is eliminating the switch in the light housing)?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,126
Likes: 19
From: Streamwood illinois
I could certainly try this but, being as both the bulb socked and harness plug at the frame show the same voltage, I'd be surprised if there was any change.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
I'm asking you to try the LED and the bulb with the voltage and current supplied at the connection near the bottom of the hood because since the beginning I suspected the switch in the underhood light housing. If you try this and it lights ok you will have proved that the switch is bad. If it still doesn't light properly this will mean you have a problem between the battery and this connection. If you don't want to try this, you're on your own because I'm out of idea's. good luck
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Note on HVAC bulb swap
If you use pure (aka "cool white") LEDs for the HVAC controls, the blue tint in the buttons will give it an "aqua" color. (I call it a fruity blue) I'm working on a solution involving using "warm white" LEDs. the output from them is closer to a regular bulb and it should come out a pure white through the buttons.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If you use pure (aka "cool white") LEDs for the HVAC controls, the blue tint in the buttons will give it an "aqua" color. (I call it a fruity blue) I'm working on a solution involving using "warm white" LEDs. the output from them is closer to a regular bulb and it should come out a pure white through the buttons.
Tim
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,096
Likes: 153
From: "Atlanta" Ga.
Well while reading the last 8 pages it has become apparent that I am the Forrest Gump of the Corvette Forum. 
If I ever attempted this, my Zo6 would end up as a pile of parts on the garage floor. You guys are good and my hats off to you
Very cool Mod
Forrest.......aka Gonzo
If I ever attempted this, my Zo6 would end up as a pile of parts on the garage floor. You guys are good and my hats off to you
Very cool ModForrest.......aka Gonzo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 21
From: centennial colorado
I have one of Larry's modded Electrochromatic mirrors with the Red Helper light and also a Red power on indicator as well as the maplights of course. The Red helper is brighter then the Orange but is not distracting while driving at night, I like it alot. The power on indicator is a little too bright, for me anyway someday I'll tone it down...
Larry obviously got the Auto Dim mirror apart without marking up the case at all. When I attempted taking a base mirror (NON Auto Dimming) apart I screwed the case up pretty badly. It was out of a Blazer and I had got it for the lenses so no biggy. It wasn't glued but I couldn't get the clips to release without applying destructive force!!!! So unless there's a secret trick or tool it isn't worth it IMO
By the way. have you tried my trick for using Blue or White LEDs in the LED Arrays?
Tim
PS When are you hooking up with Michael?
Larry obviously got the Auto Dim mirror apart without marking up the case at all. When I attempted taking a base mirror (NON Auto Dimming) apart I screwed the case up pretty badly. It was out of a Blazer and I had got it for the lenses so no biggy. It wasn't glued but I couldn't get the clips to release without applying destructive force!!!!
So unless there's a secret trick or tool it isn't worth it IMOBy the way. have you tried my trick for using Blue or White LEDs in the LED Arrays?
Tim
PS When are you hooking up with Michael?
Michael will be here tonight so I'm looking forward to talking leds!!Got 2 more orders from jw today too!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If you want it done, we'll make sure it happens! PM me if you'd like.Tim
Well while reading the last 8 pages it has become apparent that I am the Forrest Gump of the Corvette Forum.
If I ever attempted this, my Zo6 would end up as a pile of parts on the garage floor. You guys are good and my hats off to you Very cool Mod
Forrest.......aka Gonzo
If I ever attempted this, my Zo6 would end up as a pile of parts on the garage floor. You guys are good and my hats off to you
Very cool ModForrest.......aka Gonzo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
The Orange helper LED is 5mm I believe, you have to take apart the mirror to get at it. I attempted it once and pretty much cosmetically ruined my mirror! 
FYI Orange is the weakest LED in terms of light output (mcd rating), Blue and White are two of the strongest. IMO replacing the stock one with White or Blue might be an anoyance when driving, kinda like having a dome light on.
My current mirror, an Electrochromatic, customized by my friend Larry has a Red LED for the helper light and it's substantially brighter then the stocker. Being Red it isn't glaring so not a problem driving at night with it...
Tim
FYI Orange is the weakest LED in terms of light output (mcd rating), Blue and White are two of the strongest. IMO replacing the stock one with White or Blue might be an anoyance when driving, kinda like having a dome light on.
My current mirror, an Electrochromatic, customized by my friend Larry has a Red LED for the helper light and it's substantially brighter then the stocker. Being Red it isn't glaring so not a problem driving at night with it...
Tim
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I swapped my rear hatch, glove box, foot wells, and rear view all over to LED's today. The little orange helper LED was very easy to swap. I used a 5/32nds screw driver in the little slot of the holder button to turn the holder while using a little cheapy straight edged driver commonly used for advertising with the magnet on one end to pry up on the edges and it popped right out. Just pay attention to the way it was before you pull it out. The hole is D shaped and it took a bit to figure out how to pop it back in. The LED is crimped to a blue and a red wire. A simple snip and solder with some heat shrink and I now have a white LED shining down. It isn't annoying in the least. In fact it highlights the beer in the cup holder nicely. Not alot of the light comes out of the slot so it really is cool.
Glad it worked out, good info for everyone else. I'd like to see a pic of your setup!!!!!Tim
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 9
From: McCall Idaho
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
doesn't sound bad at all. did you use a 3 or 5mm LED? what mcd? I think I would like white better than orange, but I certainly don't want it to be overpowering. can you adjust the aim of the LED with that slot? mine shines too far back, you an see the shifter fine if its in 2, 4, or 6, but 1, 3, 5, or R are still in the dark.
I swapped my rear hatch, glove box, foot wells, and rear view all over to LED's today. The little orange helper LED was very easy to swap. I used a 5/32nds screw driver in the little slot of the holder button to turn the holder while using a little cheapy straight edged driver commonly used for advertising with the magnet on one end to pry up on the edges and it popped right out. Just pay attention to the way it was before you pull it out. The hole is D shaped and it took a bit to figure out how to pop it back in. The LED is crimped to a blue and a red wire. A simple snip and solder with some heat shrink and I now have a white LED shining down. It isn't annoying in the least. In fact it highlights the beer in the cup holder nicely. Not alot of the light comes out of the slot so it really is cool.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 21
From: centennial colorado
forum friends
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Tim