HomeLink Console LED Swap

[NotSoSimple]

First off, thanks to user OKstate for pioneering this and creating a thread with good reference materiel: Finally a sequoia LED swap!

Looking through his thread and others I couldn't find a definite walk through to replace the HomeLink console bulbs to LEDs. Hope this helps some of you. Please note this was done on my 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5 w/ a sunroof. Let me know if you have any questions. It is really straight forward and easy once you get everything in your hands. I did it on my lunch hour and still had time to spare.

What you need:
5x SuperBrightLEDs NEO4-GHP High Power Instrument Panel LED NEOx LED Bulb - High Power Instrument Panel LED | Universal Bulb Finder | Super Bright LEDs
Phillips Screwdriver
Standard Screwdriver
*Optional* Needle nose pliers
Total Cost: $13.87 shipped to my door. Would have cost $25+ if I purchased regular replacement bulbs through Toyota.

This is what we are swapping out:


Step 1: Open the sunglasses holder and find the two phillips screws. They are short screws so be careful not to drop them


Step 3: Pull straight down on the console. The only thing holding it are two metal compression clips. Since the front was loose as we took out the screws I just pulled down enough to get my fingers in there and pulled from the middle.

Step 4: The console should now be handing by the harness. The harness clip is slid on to a plastic keeper. It was fairly brittle in my rig so I slid it off. Once it is off the keeper I found the release tab on the connector, depressed it, and pulled the harness apart. The console should now be free from the truck.


Step 5: With the console on your work bench you can locate the five HomeLink bulbs. To remove, simply take your standard/slotted screwdriver, twist a 1/4 turn, and turn the console over so the bulb will fall out.


I found that using a pair of needle nose pliers makes it easier to turn/remove and is quicker.


Step 6: Remove the bulbs and drop the new LEDs in the sockets. Please note these bulbs are polarized. If you put them in and they dont work, turn them 180* and try again. I ended up putting the new LEDs in, plugging in and letting it hang by the harness, turning the key to ON and turning the parking lights on. That way I could test to make sure it works. I had to turn all of them 180* until they lit up. Also, they felt like they were not secure with a 1/4 turn but they are.

Step 7: Once all 5 LEDs are in and working reconnect the harness (If you have not already), center the console in the cutout in the headliner, and push up. It should pop in place. You can also look through the screw holes to help you line up the console. Once it is held in place with the clips simply install the screws.

Finished product: The LEDs are a lot greener than the old bulbs. They are also much brighter. I have not used them in the dark yet, but I am assuming I will want to dim them a little.

[ThomJohn]

Thanks for sharing!

[rl911]

Awesome, thanks! My center bulb is out, will replace using this guide.

[NotSoSimple]

I am considering ordering the non high power LED for the standards. Shipping is kind of a bummer on such a small item. Huge box for something that could fit in an envelope.

[NotSoSimple]

I went ahead and ordered the standard, non HiPower and put two in. Waited til tonight and drive around, I cannot really tell the difference. So my opinion would be to save some cash and get the standard ones.

[LN217]

I ordered and installed the non high power lights on my homelink. These are much brighter an better looking than my stick lights.


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[Soder99]

Excellent write up. I ordered 5 NEO4-G's (green, regular brightness) and put them in in 10 minutes. They were less than $10 after shipping. I've had 2 of them out since I bought my 2005 Q 3 years ago. Here's a few thoughts I had as I was installing them.

-If I did this again, I'd order the same NEO4-G LED's but not in green. I'd order "COOL WHITE." The green LED plus the green plastic filter inside the buttons makes for a GREEN light coming out. The picture NotSoSimple attached at the end of the original post is pretty true to life.
-I left the electrical connected and the lights on as I put them in so that I could instantly check polarization.
-DON'T put the sleeves from the old lights on the LED's. They will fall off and could block the light in the buttons. I had to vacuum mine out.
-I took the risk of twisting the LED's a bit further. It worked. The PC board (green circuit board) they twist onto is a bit thicker than I think the bulbs like, but they are snug now.

Thanks so much NotSoSimple for the write up. It's excellent and inspired me to do something I've been meaning to do for 3 years now.

[NotSoSimple]

No problem Soder. Any information that can be added is appreciated, so thanks! I am curious how the 'Cool White' LEDs look but having a hard time buying a third set of LEDs for the truck.