6G Celicas Forums

I like the way the white looks waaaaay better than the green. So much cleaner. My gauge cluster and A/C controls are next.

Secondly...I read a looong time ago that we can put the Lexus ES key ring light on our door handle and it has a light. I would really love to make that a white light also. Anyone have any specifics on the light/keyhole?

the old green incandescent! (booooo)


new white homemade LED fixture!


pretty easy to make, it seemed solid enough without a dot of solder, but I soldered anyway. The resistor is 1/4 watt. 50 pack of ebay LEDs comes with free resistors (all in all $7 with shipping to Hawaii). I used a piece of two wire speaker wire, left it together and pulled the copper out so I could bend the LED and resistor legs over to mimic the old incandescent bulb fixture style. I'll be making the A/C controls the same way, that is..if that are the same type of bulb. It only takes just a couple minutes per bulb if you're quick. The gauge controls are larger I believe.


It sits just as deep as the old one.


This post has been edited by match220: Aug 22, 2013 - 5:03 AM

Nice job, but it appears to be lit more right where the LED is. I would personally try to distribute the light more evenly. Maybe wire some more LEDs? Or it's not that noticeable in night?
You will have the same issue with the gauge and climate control. These LEDs have a low angle of light, might be 30° or 60°.

the green incandescent did the same thing. It was lit more where the light was too(you can see in the picture). My first attempt had the bulb closer to the clear plastic ring and I think it was bright all the way around, but it fell apart since I was trying to use an old bulb fixture and solder to that.

And if I have more room in the climate control and gauges I can use more LEDs, like two or 3 beside each other instead of just one.

5mm(if that is what you are working with) LEDs won't fit very nicely in the climate control, too big for that. I bought SMD LEDs for mine.


I used 1 SMD from T3 bulb for the top row of buttons. When you open your CC you will see a long piece of clear plexiglass that is under them. It needs to be lit directly, but from the factory it is not designed that good, you now probably notice how weak their light is. With SMDs you can bend the feet and point it in the needed direction.

Another of the same SMD LED for the A/C and IN/OUT air. You will have to find a balance in the angle for both to be lit evenly.

For the rotating knobs I used 3x three SMD LED strip I cut from a longer one. Used hot glue to arrange.