DIY Fog light indicator in DASH cluster
I just recently bought this FOG switch
where I had to choose whether I wanted it to light when my other switches were lit or when my FOGs were on. Well I wanted both. I decided to use the internal bulb in the switch for illumination when my other switches were lit(night time) and add an LED next to blue LED in the dash cluster indicating I had my High beams on. I used a yellow LED. When my FOGS are on, it shows yellow, when my high beams are on it is bright blue. When both are on...well not green, but rather light blue.
Anyways, here is a write up on my install and some pics. I borrowed some tips
from TinCan for dash/cluster disassembly. If you decide to do this MOD, it's at
your own risk...oh and while your doing this, you could do
his MOD or even add
12V plug to the Gat Box.
List of tools and items needed.
Step 1)
Parts and Panel Removal per TinCan
Quote:
TinCan previously said:
Step 1: Parts/Paneling Removal
First, remove dash trim paneling, starting with the left driver side AC vent, then remove both the silver trim bars flanking the radio, a Phillips screw is located a the bottom of each silver bar, remove them bag and label. Remove the 10mm bolt from the bottom right of the lower driver dash panel, bag and label; you can now remove the lower driver dash panel. Once these parts are removed you can now pull the main driver dash panel out. With the main driver dash panel removed, you can see four (4) 10mm bolts, remove them, bag and label. Slowly pull the gauge cluster out, undo both the left and right wire harnesses and harness tab located atop the cluster. Place the gauge cluster in a clean work area.
Next, is to remove the AC control unit. This is done by removing the two (2) Phillips screws holding the AC control unit in place bag and label. Pull the AC control unit out. Then unplug the AC wiring harnesses, there are three (3). Place the AC control unit in a clean work area.
Finally, the compass/outside temperature/inclinometer unit (CTI) removal. Remove the back cover plate of the CTI unit. Locate the two (2) 10mm nuts holding the unit in place; remove the nuts, bag and label. The CTI unit can then be slid toward the rear of the FJ, and released. Unplug the CTI wiring harness from underneath the unit’s footprint. Place the CTI unit in a clean work area.
Step 2: Gauge Cluster Disassembly
Place the gauge cluster face down on the towel to keep from scratching the clear plastic face. Locate the two (2) Phillips head screws on the back, remove bag and label (See Picture 1). Now using the flat head screwdriver, unclip the lock tabs holding the back cover on (See Picture 2). Do the same process for removing the clear lens and inner bezel (See Pictures 3 and 3b). Note needle placement in picture 4, mark locations lightly with a lead pencil for re-install later. Removing the needles can be easily done with two (2) spoons. Slide the spoons under the needle and slowly push the spoons down till the needle comes off (See Picture 5). Remove all the needles, bag and label. With the needles out of the way you can now remove the gauge face (See Picture 6). Here is where you need to be careful. You must slowly remove the LCD screen from the circuit board; the LCD screen is not soldered in, so you can remove it with “ease”. Once the LCD screen is removed bag and label it. You can now remove the green circuit board from the white casing (See Picture 7).
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Step 2) Solder 24gauge wire to LED (24/4 wire will work). I used what I had laying around.
Step 3) Cut away a small section of one wire for 560 Ohm resistor and solder in place.
Step 4) Place shrink tubing over entire resistor and LED. (Isolate LED from Dash circuit)
Step 5) With a pocket knife, trim the shrink tubing away from the top of the LED. (It has to be able to light)
Step 6) Glue LED Resistor Combo to the right of High Beam LED. See pics
Step 7) Trim/notch a bit of plastic away from cover, so our Circuit will lay flast and our wire won't be pinched
Step 8) Put cluster back together
Step 9) Run wire along wire harness to where your Fog switch will be (mine is next to clutch cancel). Use zip ties or electrical tape to secure.
Step 10) Put Dash back together. See pic of where my switch will be
Yay .. now finish the rest of your wiring for your lights and enjoy.
You'll see that the FOG indicator is not as bright as the HighBeam indicator, but IMO I think it is better not so bright.
High Beams ON
FOGs on
I would show you both, but lighting conditions couldn't show the difference well enough.
When both are on it is light blue. (softer color)
BTW: I have left over LEDs and resistors from ebay buy...PM me for a free set, just pay postage stamp.
DIY Fog light indicator in DASH cluster
Linear Mode
