Tools Needed:
Philips Screw Driver
Wire Cutters/Knife
T30 Torx Bit
3 LED's (I Used Blue)
1. http://lc-led.com/View/itemNumber/98 - These are for the Guage Cluster, Steering Wheel Controls, and the AC Unit

2. http://lc-led.com/View/itemNumber/38 - These are used in the stock radio

Tweezers
Solder
Soldering Iron
1 Wire Tie


**Probably a good idea to disconnect negative battery cable first**

2006 Scion TC
1) Loosen the 2 T30 Torx Bit screws on either side of the steering Wheel

Left Side (Sorry for poor quality pic the screw is in the hole shown):
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j58/bsowde/Scion/strwheel/Interior107.jpg

Right Side:
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j58/bsowde/Scion/strwheel/Interior106.jpg

2) Gently pull the center section of the steering wheel toward you and prop it in a good postion. This will expose the single screw needed to remove the radio controls from the steering wheel.

3) Remove the screw holding the radio controls in place and then pull the controls out (It takes a pretty good pull to get this out)

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j58/bsowde/Scion/strwheel/Interior108.jpg

4) On the back of the radio controls remove the 3 very small screws(shown highlighted in blue), and also clip the wire tie holding the electrical connection(shown highlighted in green)
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j58/bsowde/Scion/strwheel/Interior109.jpg

5) There are 3 LEDs on the board(highlighted in Blue)

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j58/bsowde/Scion/strwheel/Interior110.jpg

6) Finished Product!
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j58/bsowde/Scion/strwheel/2294751_2_full.jpg

NICE

GREAT!!

Perfect, been looking for this. Thanks

Probably a ridiculous question, but when removing center section of the steering wheel, are there any precautions in regards to the airbag? I think not, but I just want to verify. Thanks.

are the leds the same as the gauge cluster and center console???

Probably a ridiculous question, but when removing center section of the steering wheel, are there any precautions in regards to the airbag? I think not, but I just want to verify. Thanks.

Always disconnect the negative battery cable when working with onboard electronics, especially around airbags...

Sweet, any updates?

I wonder if blue would be as bright as the ambers are?

are the leds the same as the gauge cluster and center console???

The LEDS are the same as the guage cluster. I am running blue and they look great!

ooooooh...(eyes widen)

any chance of getting the pics and links to work on the walkthru?

I just took a look at the actual links and the images are there, not sure why they're not showing up though...

can't see the pics lol and ack is right, if you go to the links you can see the images but it won't show up on here..

Is it possible to move this to the FAQ section?

is it possible to fix the pictures?

Think I have it fixed!!!

that's cool!!

great! thanks!

ugh...3 leds! i only have 2 left over from my console/gauge change. and lcled has a 30 led minimum.

oh rats!

ugh...3 leds! i only have 2 left over from my console/gauge change. and lcled has a 30 led minimum.

oh rats!

I am sure I have a couple if you want I could send them out. Just PM you address to me.

^^

that's an extremely kind offer. unfortunately i went with white leds.

hey.. is this in the tech section? i was having a hard time finding this DIY.. i thought it was in there...

I am very interested in this topic but I too can't find the other posts on replacing interior leds for console/gauges. Any links would be appreciated.

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=37747

the pics no more worky??

Should be good now!!!

awsome!!

now all i need is the steering wheel, wires, and deck....put it in my 05 tC and i'll be set to do the mod! *cries* :(

Haha.... I wonder what things the 06 guys will envy over when the 07 comes out.

Nice job on the steering wheel makes me want to do it now.

i'm offering to to the led changes for a price locally... :wink:

i'm offering to to the led changes for a price locally... :wink:


can you do it to my 05....somehow....maybe magically....lol

we'll see man.. we'll see.. i'll look into it.

Someone mentioned that you should disconect the negative battery cable when doing this but i also wanted to add that you should wait a couple of minutes aftyer removing the cablt because airbag systems hold a charge and you also need to be very careful with the bright yellow wires that you can see in some of the pictures they run to the airbags. As a general rule automakers will not use yellow on anything but the airbag wires so that you know to never tamper with them or use a testlight on them.

this ispobably dumb question but where do u get the LED's?

mouser.com or lc-led.com

I am looking for three red led's. I didn't have enough left over from my gauge cluster to do my sterring wheel controls. I have no problem paying a resonable price for them. Please message me if you have some extra red led's.

I have modified post to include links to the LED's!!

The Steering wheel Mod is sweet. Thanks for showing us how to do it. Keep posting pictures of mods and upgrades as it gives me ideas and so forth. Thank you :bow:

Man..... Am I the only one who had problem with this thing? The 2 T30 Torx Bit screws are extremely difficult to unscrew. I just had to give up after several blitzs on my hands. Damn it!!!!! I did it counterclock wise and it just doesn't move. I had the right screw head too... Any advise, laddies and gentlemen???

hmm? uhh... lefty loosey.. you're right..
but initially it does take a little bit of elbow grease to get loose..

i've been using a ratchet wrench to get them loose.

I have the same problem, I cannot get the screws loose!

Turn hard. You will hear it snap loose. It's just the locktite. I always warn my customers if they are watching (I don't want them thinking I broke something).

Here are a few pics.

White
http://www.ledmods.net/images/tcwheelwhite1a.jpg (http://www.ledmods.net/images/tcwheelwhite1.jpg)


UV (I made the watermark to dark, and can't find the original).
http://www.ledmods.net/images/tcgaugeuv4a.jpg (http://www.ledmods.net/images/tcgaugeuv4.jpg)


I have blue, green, and red somewhere. I'll post when I find them on my computer.

you've been noticing the dimness of leds once installed paul?

i could say they could be running brighter... but haven't really had issues to how bright they are currently.. nor has anyone i've done the swap with complained.

i was gonna do a "fix" for it.. but never really got around to it.. wondering if you were already doing that.

Yeah, I finally got it. I used an adjustable wrench and snapped it on the end of the torx and tugged one time and it came loose. I never could have done it with my bare hands, I felt like my bone in my arm was gonna snap I was turning so hard. Anyways, I did notice the dimness to the lights and the reason is because of the rubber button pad. The lights cannot be as bright because they have to shine thru the pad and the plastic piece itself. The only fix I can think of is a.) much brighter leds or b.) cut holes in the rubber pad buttons for more light to shine through! :P

no no.... the leds themselves don't shine as bright from the start.. voltage stuff... same issue with the hvac basically.

you've been noticing the dimness of leds once installed paul?

i could say they could be running brighter... but haven't really had issues to how bright they are currently.. nor has anyone i've done the swap with complained.

i was gonna do a "fix" for it.. but never really got around to it.. wondering if you were already doing that.

I actually did red and green, and they were pretty bright (red of course because of the low voltage). The green looked very nice! Much better than stock. I did the red and green in the same day (they were friends that came by), and they should be coming back (I did a navi install in one of their cars, and I ordered the steering wheel control and aux control harness to arrive). I'll take some pics when they are back.

-Paul

take it with just the leds showing.. (without the cover)

that's how i noticed the leds not running at full brightness.

well.. even so.. camera... uhm... just look with your own eyes?

^^^ Will do.

no no.... the leds themselves don't shine as bright from the start.. voltage stuff... same issue with the hvac basically.

Yeah, I saw a lot of pics of the hvac unit that looked really dim. I bought the wire/resistor kit from engifineer which will hopefully make it more closely lit to the gauges! I will let you know by friday when I actually get to it! :)

no no.... the leds themselves don't shine as bright from the start.. voltage stuff... same issue with the hvac basically.

Easy fix.

If you look at the bottom-most LED, there's a resistor labelled "302" (3000 ohms).

Replace it with a 1k ohm. Problem solved :) They will be as bright as the HVAC buttons.

I just used one of the 1/4 watt ones I use for the HVAC panel, and it works fine.

^^ there ya go.. :wink:

that's what i was looking for.. :)

no no.... the leds themselves don't shine as bright from the start.. voltage stuff... same issue with the hvac basically.

Easy fix.

If you look at the bottom-most LED, there's a resistor labelled "302" (3000 ohms).

Replace it with a 1k ohm. Problem solved :) They will be as bright as the HVAC buttons.

I just used one of the 1/4 watt ones I use for the HVAC panel, and it works fine.

I tried it. Works Great !!!! Takes 30 minutes. lights are much different. Thanks

Another great DIY for those that are unclear on how to go about doing
this mod.

Hey guys, I just had a customer tell me he possibly stripped his airbag screws, I asked what tool he used and he said a t-30 and got the info from this post... It is actually a t40 torx... just an FYI

uhmmm... i've been using t-30 for a very, very long time.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b28/SquallLHeart/LED%20swaps/airbag.jpg

yeah... i think they're T30...

(and yeah.. it's an '05's repair manual as you can kinda tell.... but it's the same screws... and also you don't need to disconnect the airbag wiring, too)

hmm... i think the T40 would be a little too big...

if people still don't believe me, than i'm more than willing to take a screen capture of the '06, or '07 or whatever year you want vice the '05 i have pictured above.

Will double check it when I get home, from memory I have always used a larger t40 and that is the correct size on mine and all customers cars that have come over... if it was to big, it would definitly not fit :)

Is it possible to find UV LEDs that will fit this. Most of my theme is going to be white but I really want these to be purple uv.

Yes I can get them but they are damaging to the eyes...

Yes I know. I'm only using them for a few "accent"pieces...if you will.

no no.... the leds themselves don't shine as bright from the start.. voltage stuff... same issue with the hvac basically.

Easy fix.

If you look at the bottom-most LED, there's a resistor labelled "302" (3000 ohms).

Replace it with a 1k ohm. Problem solved :) They will be as bright as the HVAC buttons.

I just used one of the 1/4 watt ones I use for the HVAC panel, and it works fine.

I tried it. Works Great !!!! Takes 30 minutes. lights are much different. Thanks
Anybody know of a place online to find the 1k ohm resistor? Thanks!

i get them at electronics stores.. (fry's electronics for me)

AVOID THE SHACK! (but if you really, really, really, really, really, really have no other choice....)

Hmm ok. No fry's around here, so I guess I could check out the "shack" if need be. No place online where I can order them directly? Thanks!

mouser, digikey are two places i know online

but hmm.. just ordering one small component.. i dunno if it'll be worth it.

Fair enough. I'll definitely look into it. Thanks again. :D

I need help!! I've swapped the led's to blue and they worked great. I left out the whole radio control thing for about 2 months until today. I hooked the deal back up and now they won't even light up. What happened?!?! I checked the lights and the solder. Everything looks fine. Is there a fuse or somthing that could have been blown? Or should I just order that whole part and redo it?

I need help!! I've swapped the led's to blue and they worked great. I left out the whole radio control thing for about 2 months until today. I hooked the deal back up and now they won't even light up. What happened?!?! I checked the lights and the solder. Everything looks fine. Is there a fuse or somthing that could have been blown? Or should I just order that whole part and redo it?

Are you saying they were working and now they are not, or are you saying you just now did the radio controls and they do not work. If the latter is the case I would maybe re-check the orientation of the LEDs

they were working before but not anymore..I'm trying to find the whole part an just order it but i can't even find it anywhere..

Anyone have 3 blue LEDS I can buy off you? PM me with price. Thanks.

^^^ you talkin about the little square ones?

Anyone have 3 blue LEDS I can buy off you? PM me with price. Thanks.
Pm'd.

Anyone have 3 blue LEDS I can buy off you? PM me with price. Thanks.
Pm'd.

Also looking for 3 LEDs, pref. blue :pray:

Getting my gauges all done soon so this will be a nice compliment...

Anyone have 3 blue LEDS I can buy off you? PM me with price. Thanks.
Pm'd.

Also looking for 3 LEDs, pref. blue :pray:

Getting my gauges all done soon so this will be a nice compliment...
Pm'd you as well. :D

very nice

I'm def doing this tommorow :d

are these the same led's? http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G13706
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250156303770&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015

are these the same led's? http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G13706
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250156303770&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015
Yep, either of those would work. If you only replace the LEDs and not the resistor the LEDs will be dimmer than ideal. The proper resistor is a 1K Ohm resistor 1/4W, and it would replace the big resistor on the board. I would post the link to buy it from a big company, but the shipping is flat rate and would not be cost effective. I have some in stock and if you're interested I could send you one in the mail (wouldn't get there for tomorrow tho). PM me if you're interested. Good luck regardless.

i tried to unscrew the allen screw on the side of the steering wheel and i cant get it to budge.... is it supposed to be that tight or is there some intrique way to get it off?

It's not just you, its very tight from the factory. I use a T30 torx bit and fit it into a socket, then put it on the extension piece and use the leverage of my socket wrench to loosen it. Works like a charm.

It's not just you, its very tight from the factory. I use a T30 torx bit and fit it into a socket, then put it on the extension piece and use the leverage of my socket wrench to loosen it. Works like a charm.

haha nice. how long of a breaker bar did you use? i have a 6 inch socker wrench extension i can try. i remember when i did my clutch, I had to use a 7 feet breaker bar just to remove the 34mm or so axle nut from each wheel.

Lol. No break bar needed. I meant the 3" extender that often comes with a small socket wrench set. Nothing too complicated or "grease monkey" worthy, just something simple to loosen the initial tightness of the bolt.

7 foot breaker bar is nuts!! Lol.

Is it normal for these LEDs to be much harder than the others? It seems they are glued in the middle... is there a trick for getting these off? I remove most the solder I can from the pad but I still ended up breaking off a pad the LED goes on when I tried ot get one side of it up... It's like there is a glue and i am stumped. Now I gotta go buy a new Steering wheel control. =/ Any suggestions on easier removal?

yah, there's some glue thingy in the middle of each led..

haven't had much issues removing them... just use enough solder on there to melt it, and i actually go back and forth getting both sides melted before i apply enough pressure to break that gluey crap.

or i just use hot tweezers.

Someone should stick this!

Probably a ridiculous question, but when removing center section of the steering wheel, are there any precautions in regards to the airbag? I think not, but I just want to verify. Thanks.

Always disconnect the negative battery cable when working with onboard electronics, especially around airbags...

The thread I read on the steering wheel swap for tC to a xB say to disconnect the battery and wait for 15 minutes to let the ar bag discharge and it also said if you are going to place it down, put it face side up.

Good luck, I will be doing this one in the near future to BLUE.

ugh...3 leds! i only have 2 left over from my console/gauge change. and lcled has a 30 led minimum.

oh rats!

HAHAHA! :rofl: ME TOO!! :nope: Dang it!!!! :tap:

i took this piece off to paint it and theese 4 white thingies fell out of the buttons, does anyone have a pic of how the are supposed to look on the inside of the buttons?

i took this piece off to paint it and theese 4 white thingies fell out of the buttons, does anyone have a pic of how the are supposed to look on the inside of the buttons?

They should only go in one way(they should have a flat spot on one side), those are what push against the membrane and make the contact with the circuit board to activate the various functions

pics would be helpful if anyone has some, they aren't as easy to align as u might think.

you know those toddler toys where you push the correct shape thru the correct hole?

same concept.

I currently have the stock amber steering wheel control lights. If i exchange them for blue LEDs do i need a resistor too? If I do how do I get an extra for my steering wheel?

My 2012 tc 7.0 has the wheel controls, but they don't light up!(?) Sucks at night.

nope.. they don't light up.

All my other Scions light up, makes no sense.