240 LED dash light Q's

BryantTF242 · 08-22-2013, 05:45 PM

so I am looking into swapping all my dash and gauge lights in my 82 242 over to LED, I am on superbrightleds.com looking at what I could get, im guessing either one of these #74 or #24 will work for everything? I cant find any results in the search option on what others did and I know there are threads up about this. let me know of what I should get!

volvogeek · 08-22-2013, 06:03 PM

I wrote this up over on OVT, it's still a WIP but it's fairly complete:

I haven't seen this posted comprehensively anywhere, even though people ask about doing it fairly often. So here's what I've found you'll need to convert your 240 over to using LED lights (both interior and exterior). STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS.

Exterior:
You'll need 1156 and 1157 single element bulbs, plus a set of 1157 double element bulbs if you're running fog lights in the rear.

4x 1157 single amber (front turn/running)
2x 1156 single amber (rear turn) (use white if non-clear housing)
4x 1156 single white (rear backup/brake)
2x 1157 double white (rear running/fog)
2x 41mm festoon bulb (wagon)
2x BA9s bulb (sedans/coupes)

Running side markers? No problem: 2x T10 #168/194 wedge base

This assumes you're running brake lights in the upper location with a single filament connector. Connections are the same regardless, but if you're using the single pole connectors and buy the 1157's you'll have to mod them (solder or aluminum foil) to bridge the gap.

You will also need an electronic flasher module, as the lack of load on the turn signals will cause the OEM flasher to not flash. You'll need CF13GL-02 or equivalent european 3-pole flasher. Pinout looks like this:

I picked one up from my local Autozone for about $12. Just make sure the pinout is the same, the PN won't matter.

Interior:

2x 40mm Festoon bulbs (overhead/tailgate)
2x T10 #168/194 wedge base (main cluster illumination)
3x T5 #74 wedge base (center console)
?x T5 #74 wedge base (1x per 52mm gauge or console switch, lower center console light)
2x BA9s base (fasten seatbelt, center and lower center console)
?x B85d twist-lock (turn signals, warning lights) NEEDS VERIFICATION

If after installing them all, the light levels are acceptable and you don't feel the need to dim them, then you're done. If you'd like to be able to dim them at some point, pick up a PWM dimmer. I found one on eBay for ~$15 that looked like a near drop-in replacement for the stock dimmer.

You'll also want to make sure you don't buy exceptionally long bodied T5 #74 bulbs. They tend to either go too far into the receptacle and don't disperse light, or bottom out in a gauge before grounding to the body - and then not turning on. You might find that the upper center console LED isn't anywhere near bright enough even after taking these precautions, in which case an 'accent light' module might do the trick. Also do not buy 'super bright' or even white LED's for the turn signal indicators, they will be extraordinarily bright and blind you at night while making turns.

Your bulbs should look something like this:

1156/1157 tail/turn
reverse/running

BryantTF242 · 08-22-2013, 06:10 PM

you, my friend, are awesome hahaha I have no more questions.

BryantTF242 · 08-22-2013, 06:33 PM

I cant seem to find a lot of superbrightleds.com, at least with the T5 #74's

what website do you recommend?

thanks.

volvogeek · 08-22-2013, 07:09 PM

I used eBay for the most part, it was a little more work but I have a TON of LED's available for projects now.

BryantTF242 · 08-22-2013, 08:00 PM

any brand in particular you like?

Old Iron · 08-22-2013, 08:23 PM

Make an extra set up for me too!

c · 08-22-2013, 08:57 PM

Anyone know if these will work for the idiot lights?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120959718169...84.m1423.l2649

centason · 08-22-2013, 09:12 PM

I used superbright leds on my Volvo, and VLEDs on my Lincoln. Both companies have great customer service, and their products last. I have 4 years total on my on my current LED swap on my Lincoln with no issues.

c · 08-22-2013, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryantTF242

I cant seem to find a lot of superbrightleds.com, at least with the T5 #74's

what website do you recommend?

thanks.

I've had good luck with these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400404658540...84.m1497.l2649

Shipping is slow - literally a slow boat from China. They are cheap, have had a few duds and few that burn out quickly but for price...

BryantTF242 · 08-22-2013, 10:10 PM

so i dont need to do anything right? like i just pull out the old bulb, put this in, and go? I realize that LED's only work one way in terms of power flow, but other than that, thats all right?

centason · 08-22-2013, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryantTF242

so i dont need to do anything right? like i just pull out the old bulb, put this in, and go? I realize that LED's only work one way in terms of power flow, but other than that, thats all right?

Except for the turn signals, yes you only need the LED. You may need resistors for the brake light. That will have to be confirmed.

centason · 08-22-2013, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clthayer

I've had good luck with these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400404658540...84.m1497.l2649

Shipping is slow - literally a slow boat from China. They are cheap, have had a few duds and few that burn out quickly but for price...

Who wants to wait for a bathtub full of rowing immigrants to bring them to you?

Jon P. · 08-22-2013, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clthayer

I've had good luck with these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400404658540...84.m1497.l2649

Shipping is slow - literally a slow boat from China. They are cheap, have had a few duds and few that burn out quickly but for price...

I have had good luck with these as well. Direct replacement with no modifications.

Simi · 08-22-2013, 10:17 PM

Man volvogeek, where were you when I did this a year ago?

Notes for a 240

Only thing I have to add is that some of the #74 housings like the shifter and center console backlight, will short out if you put in the bulb as is, you will have to bend the wires on the bulb to be on a single side instead of both.

Other thing is that for my instrument cluster backlights, I hammered out the old bulb and soldered really bright #74s in there.

BryantTF242 · 08-22-2013, 10:23 PM

anyone use these? it has the wire single sided, looks like it will work?

http://www.ledlight.com/t5-74-wedge-...led-light.aspx

also i cant find 40mm festoon lights, only 39mm, 41mm and 42mm lol would all of those work?

c · 08-22-2013, 10:51 PM

hmmm.... that explains why I keep on burning out the shifter light.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simi

Man volvogeek, where were you when I did this a year ago?

Notes for a 240

Only thing I have to add is that some of the #74 housings like the shifter and center console backlight, will short out if you put in the bulb as is, you will have to bend the wires on the bulb to be on a single side instead of both.

Other thing is that for my instrument cluster backlights, I hammered out the old bulb and soldered really bright #74s in there.

c · 08-22-2013, 10:52 PM

I think the 39mm will work - ive ordered them but haven't gotten them yet. We'll see and I will post the results.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryantTF242

anyone use these? it has the wire single sided, looks like it will work?

http://www.ledlight.com/t5-74-wedge-...led-light.aspx

also i cant find 40mm festoon lights, only 39mm, 41mm and 42mm lol would all of those work?

centason · 08-22-2013, 10:54 PM

VLED sales adjustable festoon ones that haven't failed yet on my cars. Bright as shizz too.

+Kardboard+ · 08-23-2013, 04:39 AM

Write-up is awesome. Thank you for that!

volvogeek · 08-23-2013, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simi

Man volvogeek, where were you when I did this a year ago?

LOL writing this up - I did it back in Jan of 12.

Quote:

Originally Posted by clthayer

I think the 39mm will work - ive ordered them but haven't gotten them yet. We'll see and I will post the results.

Anything between like 35 and 45 will probably work, you'll just have to bend the tab inside a little more (or less) depending on the size.

Quote:

Originally Posted by +Kardboard+

Write-up is awesome. Thank you for that!

Welcome!

c · 01-05-2014, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clthayer

I think the 39mm will work - ive ordered them but haven't gotten them yet. We'll see and I will post the results.

39mm festoons work you just have to bend in the contacts a little. I went with 6 smd lights http://www.ebay.com/itm/300913748802...84.m1497.l2649 but wish I would have gone with the 16s http://www.ebay.com/itm/331054422095...84.m1423.l2649

MikeSr. · 01-05-2014, 03:58 PM

Anything for 142? I literally cannot see my gauges at nite.

schaff70 · 11-26-2017, 10:25 PM

Need to bump this for some assistance.

I've ordered the LEDs I need for the instrument cluster, but for the life of me I can't get the old bulbs loose from the twist lock holder. After soaking one in hot water I was able to get it out, but the LED will not fit. Anyone able to throw some tips my way?

+Kardboard+ · 11-26-2017, 11:19 PM

Soaking in hot water?! Pics? You're talking about the two main 194 bulbs for the cluster?

08-22-2013, 06:33 PM	#4
BryantTF242 Board Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Jose, California	I cant seem to find a lot of superbrightleds.com, at least with the T5 #74's what website do you recommend? thanks. Last edited by BryantTF242; 08-22-2013 at 06:43 PM..

08-22-2013, 10:17 PM	#15
Simi Upsetti Spaghetti Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Orlando, FL	Man volvogeek, where were you when I did this a year ago? Notes for a 240 Only thing I have to add is that some of the #74 housings like the shifter and center console backlight, will short out if you put in the bulb as is, you will have to bend the wires on the bulb to be on a single side instead of both. Other thing is that for my instrument cluster backlights, I hammered out the old bulb and soldered really bright #74s in there. __________________ 1989 240 Turbo 1988 745 Turbo - SOLD 1991 940SE - SOLD 1995 850 T5-R 1991 740 Turbo 1987 240 Leave Me Feedback

08-23-2013, 04:39 AM	#20
+Kardboard+ Chinese guy/Swedish rides Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada	Write-up is awesome. Thank you for that! __________________ '88 245DL Uncle Sven\|'95 945T Darth Haul\|'82 242GLT B23E Lumpy the Angry Viking/sold\|'77 244DL, red/sold.\|'90 744T, gold/sold mtd240: I suspect "the wives" have a super-secret forum to discuss whether or not they will let us buy Volvo parts. DavidSamuels: Not a website, a panel discussion/reality show. Real Housewives of Gothenburg. -Feedback-

01-05-2014, 03:58 PM	#23
MikeSr. What, me worry? Join Date: May 2003 Location: Acworth, Ga. USA	Anything for 142? I literally cannot see my gauges at nite. __________________ I coulda had a V8!

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08-22-2013, 05:45 PM	#1
BryantTF242 Board Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Jose, California	240 LED dash light Q's so I am looking into swapping all my dash and gauge lights in my 82 242 over to LED, I am on superbrightleds.com looking at what I could get, im guessing either one of these #74 or #24 will work for everything? I cant find any results in the search option on what others did and I know there are threads up about this. let me know of what I should get! __________________ 1982 242 Turbo - The Fun One, K-Jet, 3in Turbo Back, RSI Coilovers, BBS LM Reps, Awesome. http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=280461 1990 240 Wagon

08-22-2013, 06:03 PM	#2
volvogeek Board Member Join Date: Jun 2004	I wrote this up over on OVT, it's still a WIP but it's fairly complete: I haven't seen this posted comprehensively anywhere, even though people ask about doing it fairly often. So here's what I've found you'll need to convert your 240 over to using LED lights (both interior and exterior). STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS. Exterior: You'll need 1156 and 1157 single element bulbs, plus a set of 1157 double element bulbs if you're running fog lights in the rear. 4x 1157 single amber (front turn/running) 2x 1156 single amber (rear turn) (use white if non-clear housing) 4x 1156 single white (rear backup/brake) 2x 1157 double white (rear running/fog) 2x 41mm festoon bulb (wagon) 2x BA9s bulb (sedans/coupes) Running side markers? No problem: 2x T10 #168/194 wedge base This assumes you're running brake lights in the upper location with a single filament connector. Connections are the same regardless, but if you're using the single pole connectors and buy the 1157's you'll have to mod them (solder or aluminum foil) to bridge the gap. You will also need an electronic flasher module, as the lack of load on the turn signals will cause the OEM flasher to not flash. You'll need CF13GL-02 or equivalent european 3-pole flasher. Pinout looks like this: I picked one up from my local Autozone for about $12. Just make sure the pinout is the same, the PN won't matter. Interior: 2x 40mm Festoon bulbs (overhead/tailgate) 2x T10 #168/194 wedge base (main cluster illumination) 3x T5 #74 wedge base (center console) ?x T5 #74 wedge base (1x per 52mm gauge or console switch, lower center console light) 2x BA9s base (fasten seatbelt, center and lower center console) ?x B85d twist-lock (turn signals, warning lights) NEEDS VERIFICATION If after installing them all, the light levels are acceptable and you don't feel the need to dim them, then you're done. If you'd like to be able to dim them at some point, pick up a PWM dimmer. I found one on eBay for ~$15 that looked like a near drop-in replacement for the stock dimmer. You'll also want to make sure you don't buy exceptionally long bodied T5 #74 bulbs. They tend to either go too far into the receptacle and don't disperse light, or bottom out in a gauge before grounding to the body - and then not turning on. You might find that the upper center console LED isn't anywhere near bright enough even after taking these precautions, in which case an 'accent light' module might do the trick. Also do not buy 'super bright' or even white LED's for the turn signal indicators, they will be extraordinarily bright and blind you at night while making turns. Your bulbs should look something like this: 1156/1157 tail/turn reverse/running

08-22-2013, 06:10 PM	#3
BryantTF242 Board Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Jose, California	you, my friend, are awesome hahaha I have no more questions.

08-22-2013, 07:09 PM	#5
volvogeek Board Member Join Date: Jun 2004	I used eBay for the most part, it was a little more work but I have a TON of LED's available for projects now.

08-22-2013, 08:00 PM	#6
BryantTF242 Board Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Jose, California	any brand in particular you like?

08-22-2013, 08:57 PM	#8
c Board Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Morrisville	Anyone know if these will work for the idiot lights? http://www.ebay.com/itm/120959718169...84.m1423.l2649

08-22-2013, 10:10 PM	#11
BryantTF242 Board Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Jose, California	so i dont need to do anything right? like i just pull out the old bulb, put this in, and go? I realize that LED's only work one way in terms of power flow, but other than that, thats all right?

08-22-2013, 10:23 PM	#16
BryantTF242 Board Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Jose, California	anyone use these? it has the wire single sided, looks like it will work? http://www.ledlight.com/t5-74-wedge-...led-light.aspx also i cant find 40mm festoon lights, only 39mm, 41mm and 42mm lol would all of those work? Last edited by BryantTF242; 08-22-2013 at 10:34 PM..

08-22-2013, 10:54 PM	#19
centason Knipex=welfare queen Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ft.Mill, SC	VLED sales adjustable festoon ones that haven't failed yet on my cars. Bright as shizz too.

11-26-2017, 10:25 PM	#24
schaff70 Board Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cypress, TX	Need to bump this for some assistance. I've ordered the LEDs I need for the instrument cluster, but for the life of me I can't get the old bulbs loose from the twist lock holder. After soaking one in hot water I was able to get it out, but the LED will not fit. Anyone able to throw some tips my way?

11-26-2017, 11:19 PM	#25
+Kardboard+ Chinese guy/Swedish rides Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada	Soaking in hot water?! Pics? You're talking about the two main 194 bulbs for the cluster?