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Dash switch upgrade to LEDs Gen 1.5 and Gen 2

71K views 54 replies 20 participants last post by  camelkicker 
#1 ·
I just got my LED lights today and I had a request in another thread to show how to change the lights in the switches for the Gen1.5 and Gen2 switches.

Most of the switches in my Rodeo are Gen1.5 since it is a 97, but I do have a Gen2 switch in there for the fog lights. This is the one that I am showing in this tutorial. The Gen1.5 switches are almost exactly the same, except the openings for the lights are a little tighter.


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1835.jpg

To start off with, here is the switch panel pulled away from the bezel. You can see the fog light switch on the right. This is from a late model Gen2 Rodeo. Ignore the wiring you see back there. Neither of these switches came in this Rodeo and there were no factory wiring provisions for them.


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1836.jpg

You can see the switches and how they mount into the panel. To remove the switches, simply grasp at the top and bottom of the switch, push in the retaining clips, and slide the switch out from the front. The harness disconnects from the back by pushing the release tab and pulling the harness away from the switch.


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1837.jpg

Fog light switch removed. You can see where the lights are located on the side of the switch.


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1838.jpg

A better view of the light's bases.


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1839.jpg

Take a large (no.2 or no.3) Phillip's bit, or a slotted bit that will fit completely in the cross pattern, and rotate the light base counter clockwise. It should stop after about 1/8 to 1/4 turn.


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1840.jpg

Using a very small slotted screwdriver (or equivalent), carefully lift the bulb away from the base.


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1841.jpg

You may need to use some kind of very small gripping tool to then continue lifting the bulb base away from the switch. Some will just fall out at this point when you turn the switch over. Others need GENTLE persuasion.


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1842.jpg

This is what the factory bulb looks like when removed. At this point, you can either go to Radio Shack or a local CB shop and pick up your replacement bulb and stick it back in this base and put everything back together. I didn't opt for this, however.


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1843.jpg

This is the replacement LED that I purchased. It uses a Type-A Wedge base and a surface mount LED.


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1844.jpg

When placing the bulb back in, align the holding tabs with the gaps between the metal contacts.


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1845.jpg

Once in, you can rotate the bulb clockwise until it stops. Check now to make sure you have it in correctly. LEDs will ONLY light when they are placed in correctly. Half the ones I did I got orientated correctly the first time, the others I had to remove and turn them 180 degrees.


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1846.jpg

Here is what the LED looks like when it is lit. A nice pretty green. I can't wait until the sun goes down tonight so I can see what they are going to look like! :)


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1847.jpg

I changed from a green bulb to a blue LED for the 'on' indicator on this switch. That is one BRIGHT blue!!!!

I hope that this helps others who want to change their bulbs in the dash switches. I tried to keep the image small so that this page is easily readable but if you need to see more detail you can use the links for the full sized pictures under each one displayed here.

Thanks againg to everyone for their inspiration!

Kevin
 
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#4 ·
zeppelin said:
How exactly would this work for insrtument panel? I want to change mine to a red but cant find the bulbs or the covers anywhere.
I gave instructions in another thread a while back on removing the instrument cluster on 95.5-97 Rodeos. It is located here:

http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?t=13461

The bulb apears to be a 194 bulb that removes and installs with 1/4 of a turn. I've read on here where some people have used light coats of Testers paint to change the colour. Others have been able to find the bulb 'condoms' at CB shops. You should also be able to find online at places like http://autolumination.com/ . That's where I bought my LED replacement lights for my switches.

Since your sig shows you have a 98, the removal of the cluster may be slightly different. I know the bezel around it is. The bulbs, however, should still be the 194 type and changing the colour shouldn't be a problem at all.

You know I've had my bezel/cluster out so many times in the last 2 years just playing around that I'm starting to think I should put speed clips back in instead of screws!!!!! :lol:
 
#5 ·
After looking around at the 194 bulb, I don't think that's the right one. The 74 on the autolumination site looks MUCH closer to what I remember. You may want to pull one of your bulbs out first and compair it to the ones on that site before you go ordering anything.
 
#7 ·
#8 ·
I imagine that if it was used to iluminate the switches themselves it wouldn't be bad, but for an 'on' indicator - the bulb is just shining it's heart out with nothing to really diffuse or dampen the light. I just got in from driving around - foggy night so perfect excuse to have my fogs on, and it was deffinately bright. Good thing is though it is bright enough that I won't accedentally leave them on anymore and run my battery down!!!! :)

Of course, that indicator light just happens to be running off of a fused direct lead straight from the battery, and not through any of the factory harness, so it is also receiving the full juice. For one wired from the factory, I imagine it might not actually be as bright... but can't say for certain.
 
#9 ·
HEY DISKER,
WHAT WERE THE PART NUMBERS ON THOSE TYPE A WEDGE BASE BULBS FOR THE SWITCHES?
ANY HELP WOULD BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED, THANKS
 
#10 ·
disker,

For the switch leds, did you order the "super star leds" or the regular ones?

the superstars are $3.49 each. regulars are $2.99 each.
 
#11 ·
I ordered the super star LEDs, but it looks like the others might provide a more dispursed light because they extend farther out than the SMT light on the super star. On most of the switches, this isn't a problem, but the hatch release button only lights about half of the display.

As for a part number, their Website doesn't give part numbers, so I can't provide any. Just click the link up top for wedge bulbs and scroll down. The ones you want are the 'type a'.
 
#12 ·
Nice.

I dont mind the leds "focused beam". I plan on only using it for the switches.
For the indicator part, im going to go with bulbs, or stock bulbs so its not a problem.

I took my dash apart today..
I checked the sizes for all the switch lights, they all seem to be type "A".
The a/c switch light is SUPER tiny, I need to replace mine but I dont know the size.

As far as part# I have the clock light part#

Clock light #8973292190 (it has a blue rubber "condom" on it)
The clock light is the same size as all the switches except for the a/c switch. (dont quote me on that though).

Go to http://www.myisuzuparts.com

Do a "keyword search" for "bulb"...and you should be able to find the part# you need.

edit: could you post a pic of your tail gate opener switch? thanks.
 
#13 ·
Dae said:
could you post a pic of your tail gate opener switch? thanks.
I'm assuming lit with the new LEDs? I'll snap a pic tomorrow evening and post it here. It's already late and close to freezing out. :)
 
#14 ·
Ok - here ya go.


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1850.jpg

The only way you can see the lights is with the flash turned off. You can see here how it doesn't cast the light on the full hatch release switch from the Gen 1.5 switch, but the fog light switch on the right, you can see good. It is from a late model Gen 2 and doesn't seem to suffer from limited dispersment that the Gen 1.5 switches do.


http://ssbbs.dyndns.org/panic/GFX/Rodeo ... G_1852.jpg

I am holding the switch in, and the full text on the switch is now illuminated (along with the hatch open indicator light). The Gen 1.5 switches will be fully lit as they get pressed in closer to the LED. It seems that the Gen2 will stay the same whether pressed in or not.

Sorry for the second pic being so blurry. With limited light and holding the switch with my other hand it was hard to get steady enough to get good focus.
 
#15 ·
Thanks.

The fog light one looks good.

Do you think it only affects your 1.5 switches?

I want to do that to all my switches, but im afraid of it not lighting everything up like your tail gate switch.
 
#16 ·
It does affect my other 1.5 switches the same way, but they aren't as noticiable. In fact, unless you were pushing them in to see the difference, or knew what you were looking for, you probably wouldn't notice.

Only my gen2 fog light switch seems to be unaffected. I couldn't say for other gen2 switches though.
 
#17 ·
understandable....

I guess i'll be the guiniepig.
 
#18 ·
TRY THIS WEB SITE TO GET THE NORMAL SWITCH LIGHTS BULBS

WWW.ALLELECTRONICS.COM

PRICE ISD GREAT

JKL # DNW1-DW12/GRA/39-04S-4B.
4mm diameter incandescent lamp on a gray
plastic mounting platform designed to
twist-lock onto a pc board. Wire leads run
across top and bottom of base and are accessible for
direct connection. Lamp is provided with a removable
green silicon rubber filter. Overall height is 12mm.
Base diameter is 10mm. CAT# LP-70
5 for $1.00 • 100 for 15¢ each

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU ALL THINK :p :p :p
 
#19 ·
disker,

Have you repaired your mirror switch light yet?
If yes, I was just wondering what kind of bulb that it used.

My A/C switch bulb was out so I was going to buy the bulb from Isuzu. Then I was told that they dont sell the bulb for the A/C switch seperately.
I wasnt about to spend $45 on a new switch, just so I could get the light to turn on.

The A/C switch bulb is alot smaller than the other "type A" neo wedge switch bulbs. The pic is comparing the A/C bulb to the clock bulb.



I had to order the new bulb from a company that sells lighting for doll houses, since the RadioShack out here closed down years ago.
I couldnt find it at auto part stores.

I want to change my mirror switch light to blue, to match the other switches.
 
#20 ·
Dae said:
disker,
Have you repaired your mirror switch light yet?
If yes, I was just wondering what kind of bulb that it used.
Well, I really haven't had time to work on any more lights since then. My wife's mother had to go in to the hospital, got out this last week in time for thanksgiving, and then yesterday morning their house caught on fire! :(

So, my tinkering is on hold for the moment. When things settle back down again, I'll start back on my projects - the first of which is my painted dash bezels and the second will be the mirror switch.

I will make sure to let you guys know what I find for that switch once I do it. In the interim - if someone else decides to tackle it anyway, pictures and bulb sizes would be greatly welcome. 8)
 
#21 ·
Sorry to hear about that. I hope things get better for your wifes mother.

The super star LED's work great in all my second gen switches.
They fully illuminate the wordings. All my switches are blue, except for the hazards and defogger those two are red.
It really compliments my stereo, it all looks stock.

Im going to do my gauges next, then the lights around the a/c controls, and also the gear indicator so everything matches.
 
#22 ·
Dae said:
Sorry to hear about that. I hope things get better for your wifes mother.
Thanks - I'm sure they will - it's just a matter of time.

Dae said:
The super star LED's work great in all my second gen switches.
They fully illuminate the wordings. All my switches are blue, except for the hazards and defogger those two are red.

Im going to do my gauges next, then the lights around the a/c controls, and also the gear indicator so everything matches.
It really compliments my stereo, it all looks stock.
I want pictures!!!!! :D
 
#23 ·
k..i'll get some tonight.
 
#24 ·
PICS!!

It was a little tricky keeping the camera focused while having no light.
Dont tease my dark a/c controls, I burnt it out while trying to figure out what size bulb it uses.
It seems like the bulbs "mysteriously" burn out once you touch them :roll:




 
#26 ·
disker said:
PRETTTTYYYYYY!!!!!! Good job - those look GREAT!
Thanks! it was your idea! 8)
 
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