LED for A/C controls

[zboot]

So, I'm in the middle of figuring out how best to install my new head unit and I took off the plastic panel covering the A/C knobs (the one the info display, A/C buttons, and radio slides through). I'm looking at the backside of this and notice that it is designed so that the A/C controls should glow when an LED is applied.

There is a two-wire connector that sits right on top of the A/C controls that I've noticed in the past but just assumed it had something to do with some radio feature that I didn't have. Look at it now, it is perfectly positioned to provide power for an LED that sits in through a slot on the A/C controller mechanism.

So, that's the LED I need. I thought I'd ask here before driving up to the dealership this weekend. Though I'd rather take care of everything before finishing up the head unit install so I may end up there anyway. . .

[Marv17]

?? might wanna talk to jesse about it. he's seen every angle of that a/c control panel.
but so i can get what you're saying... you're trying to install LEDs behind the panel to light up the knobs or the whole thing??

[zboot]

there is an LED that is supposed to illuminate the All Knobs (based on my conclusions on the wires, slot and the face of the All panel) I just need to get whatever LED assembly that is supposed to be there.

[cooljess76]

Lol, my panel is still in pieces from when I took it apart a month ago. There's supposed to be a little halogen bulb in there. The problem with an LED is that they don't project light 360 degrees, so you'll need to wire up about 5 or 6 of them in custom drilled holes on the clear plastic light distribution panel. The hard part is finding a way to make the little icons change color. The black face that has the graphics on it is painted orange on the back side, so any colored light that passes through it mixes with orange. I messed mine up by trying to sand the orange stuff off. I didn't realize until it was too late that unlike the instrument cluster gauge faces, the climate control designs are painted on the backside underneath the orange coating. I'm still trying to figure out a way to make it work.

[nyle]

i'm glad someone posted about this, i've been meaning to bring it up.

ever since i had my head unit installed, the lights on the AC controls are nonexistent. recommendations?

[Marv17]

guess just change the bulbs. but i dont know how it looks back there and dont know what size bulbs they are. jesse, do you know?

[cooljess76]

Its the same as the one that goes under the cigarette lighter. The ones that go behind the head/fog light switches might work also, different part#'s though.

[zboot]

Hmm, LED was just a guess, I plan on replacing it with whatever is supposed to be there. I'll drop by the dealership later today. If they don't have it or want to charge me something ridiculous (more than $5) then I'll just see if I can't find a suitable stand-in at radioshack.

[cooljess76]

The dealer tried to charge me 12 bucks for it. I actually needed 3 of them, so they wanted 36 bucks. Told the guy to eff off and walked out. Just go to AutoZone and pick up any 1 watt 12v mini bulb, plug it directly into the plug socket and wrap it with electrical tape. The BMW lights have a plug and play connector, but there's nothing special about the actual light.

[zboot]

sweet, saves me a 40 minute round trip.

[DocDuvi]

I just bought some of thos mini bulbs at the dealer for my cluster and they were only 3 bucks!

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by DocDuvi

I just bought some of thos mini bulbs at the dealer for my cluster and they were only 3 bucks!

Those are different. These have a plastic connector thats permanently affixed to them. They're similar to the bulbs used to illuminate the headlight/foglight switches:


Or you could do this:

They come in a 2-pack and cost about 3 bucks after tax.

[zboot]

Hmm, I may just use hot glue to hold into place. . .I'm feeling lazy and I haven't played with my glue gun in a while.

[cooljess76]

Hot glue should work fine. Just be careful not to short it out as this will more than likely blow the dimmer rheostat in the headlight switch.

I avoid the dealer at all costs. I used to go there for little odds and ends, but 36 bucks for three stupid little light bulbs is highway robbery

[ATF]

The orange glow from the knobs is provided by the orange plastic behind the knobs. So unless you custom make some clear plastic to replace the orange plastic? Or make your own knobs. It ain't going to happen. I suppose you could try using some fiber optic strands as well to minimize fabrication.