DIY: Overhead console illumination...
 

One of the biggest drawbacks of this car is the overhead console without illumination, so I decided to **** the TAKUMI's and to get things straight.
I bought 10 LED-s 3V 300 MC, green, 10 resistors (you can put one resistor to every LED or one resistor for all, I made it with one resistor), clear silicone, solder material...

http://s7.postimg.org/5peu4k0mz/wujhe.jpg


This is the OC (overhead console):

http://s12.postimg.org/e6mskiqsd/Capture.jpg

Open the "for glasses" and you'll see this, which has to be opened:

http://s7.postimg.org/h8a6mjosb/Capture.jpg

Use flat screwdriver to open...:

http://s16.postimg.org/jxpk3c22t/Capture.jpg

Remove those 2 screws:

http://s18.postimg.org/s8q5um1mx/Capture.jpg

Pull it down:

http://s18.postimg.org/3urvmz4jt/Capture.jpg

Slide your finger between the OC and headliner and pull down, hard:

http://s16.postimg.org/ckeri47et/Capture.jpg

Then do it on another side and you'll end up with this:

http://s15.postimg.org/oechwt02z/Capture.jpg

Turn it over and take off this plug by pressing the clip:

http://s1.postimg.org/g3lgzly4f/Capture.jpg

This is the back od the OC, remove those 2 screws:

http://s18.postimg.org/c5mvmaevd/Capture.jpg

This is the home link ECU, turn it over:

http://s7.postimg.org/hrxnes9q3/Capture.jpg

Unplug this by pulling it:

http://s30.postimg.org/71pbj9bmp/Capture.jpg

Pull the microphone:

http://s9.postimg.org/h19doc5m7/Capture.jpg

Disconnect the cable on both sides, press the clip and pull:

http://s11.postimg.org/u1evnikzn/Capture.jpg

Just pull:

http://s3.postimg.org/jc7rdgb9v/Capture.jpg

Remove all the bolts, take the cover off and you'll end up with this:

http://s29.postimg.org/js78qej9z/Capture.jpg

This is the motherboard of the home link buttons, press those 2 clips and pull up:

http://s2.postimg.org/gp1losu7d/Capture.jpg

Turn it right:

http://s7.postimg.org/vyml1hzcr/Capture.jpg

Then take the whole motheboard off:

http://s22.postimg.org/f73f2y3ht/Capture.jpg

Button order:

http://s17.postimg.org/v0cxg4cwf/Capture.jpg

Button number 3, you have to cut this piece of plastic because in that hole you should drill the hole and put the LED:

http://s9.postimg.org/6nwfuk1nz/Capture.jpg

Drill a 1mm hole from the inside:

http://s13.postimg.org/lm5iywfxz/Capture.jpg

Drill a 2mm hole from the outside:

http://s18.postimg.org/4qfmubgeh/Capture.jpg

Do the same with all buttons:

http://s29.postimg.org/f72osi61j/Capture.jpg

DOOR and ON/OFF buttons already have this circle so just drill it:

http://s29.postimg.org/5y53w4mjb/Capture.jpg

http://s4.postimg.org/3uk2nlyjx/Capture.jpg

Put some clear silicone in all the holes and then go over it with your finger:

http://s12.postimg.org/4efzki7fh/Capture.jpg

http://s21.postimg.org/ofzwaoyd3/Capture.jpg

http://s7.postimg.org/6cj9akksb/Capture.jpg

They should look like this:

http://s30.postimg.org/rwya8nkm9/Capture.jpg

...and let the silicone dry.

Cut it, the cables should pass through it:

http://s24.postimg.org/l2dezfh5x/Capture.jpg

Solder 2 (1mm) cables, they should be long around 20 cm:

http://s28.postimg.org/4wluoq8nh/Capture.jpg

And then put some isolation:

http://s28.postimg.org/7unew65ot/Capture.jpg

Paste it with super glue, the led should be over the hole:

http://s9.postimg.org/s25y30p67/Capture.jpg

This is how it should look like. I put some black silicone around the isolation but it is not necessary:

http://s12.postimg.org/kc1qdxiql/Capture.jpg

Find + and - wires, solder them to 2 wires, one will be connected to + and the other one to -:

http://s9.postimg.org/800uy4odr/Capture.jpg

On the plug, you'll find 2 green wires, the middle one is the positive wire, connect + wire to it:

http://s2.postimg.org/pvapklko9/Capture.jpg

The negative cable is there too but I was so tired to look for it so I connect it to the negative wire that goes to the sunroof motor, it is a thick white/black wire.

This is the result:

http://s23.postimg.org/3sp6ivlu3/Capture.jpg

http://s1.postimg.org/z5mzah91b/IMG_1033.jpg


They look astonishing, but it took me more than 5 hours to do this. I plan to put two more LED-s for read LED buttons.
Maybe you can find small 12V LED-s so you don't need any resistor. I had to put one because like I said those LED-s were 3V. I used a battery to test each LED after I finished with soldering.

thanks for the disassembly instruction. I'm not really interested in the led install cause I dont use those buttons frequently but I'd like to do something with those 6 terrible reading lights. Maybe you can tackle that problem when u do the leds for the read buttons. :)

I will do it.

P.S. Can you post the front right door panel removal pdf?

Thanks.

here they are, there are also others dealing with door mouldings, door belt but these should do

Thanks so much for another great DYI.

It's a lot of work but the results are definitely worth it - your install looks great! I am definitely doing this.

I plan on only doing the Homelink buttons and the 2 reading lights. I don't use the "Door"/"On off" buttons all that frequently.

I was thinking of using green LEDs for the Homelink buttons, and maybe white ones for the reading buttons. Not too sure yet. I ordered both 1.8 mm and 3 mm LEDs in both colours.


So the holes that you drilled were 2mm, not 3mm to match your LEDs?

Thank you.
Is that the only way I can get to the front speakers?

The holes are 2mm. It doesn't matter because the LED-s go over the hole, they don't pass through. They should touch the clear silicone inside.

Check out post #7 in XanderES build thread.. Also note his "proTip" for reinstalling the panel. That tip will save you a lot of headache when trying to push the panel back on.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...ld-thread.html

Thank you. You guys rock.

What are you all thinking about doing with the reading lights? So far, the only idea I had is what Sick did -> https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...n-be-done.html

Ljekses, THANKS for bringing this one back to life! The other gap method seemed so promising, but without the pictures, it was hard to tell. Looks GREAT!

I didn't remove my panel completely. I removed the screws/bolts holding the panel to the door and popped it loose. From there I layed down on my garage floor to get to the 4 bolts holding the door speakers in.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...-2007-a-3.html look at posts 34 and 36.

Thank you. Done.