I think I am going to try soon. Will let you know.

 

Ok guys, here's how to do it.
Carefully pull off the rectangular surround. Remove the top 2 screws and pull the entire unit forward.
Pull off the 4 connectors on the rear of the aircon unit. Undo the 3 screws that hold the front panel on and carefully pull away from casing.
This exposes the the circuit boards and LCD display, carefully prise the 2 casing clips on the back of the unit to release the entire circuit board.
Using pliers carefully straighten the small lugs on the rear of the front circuitboard and the LCD will come free,
pull out the plastic cage and replace the amber diffuser with a white one [it may already be white].
Take the circuit board to anyone who can solder electronics ie TV/ hifi repair shop and get them to replace the existing LEDs with your new ones.
BE WARNED the soldering iron will melt the LEDs if left on for longer than 2 Seconds!!
If you do the soldering yourself, replace each LED one at a time and plug the unit back in to the left hand connector each time to make sure the new led is working.
[some are connected in series and it is a real pain to find out which one is not working]
Now reassemble the unit.

Good luck.

 

So the question now is- blue? white? red? I have a black 996 with savannah beige interior and an Alpine head unit with mostly blue lights, but some red too.

 

I too have an Alpine head unit.
Here's a pic of a friends Blue/red panel

 

That looks really good! I think I am going to do that. Why didn't Porsche do this stock??

 

That's perfect! I HATE AMBER!!!!!!!

 

I've been looking through this thread and the www.porscheleds.com page, but still have a few questions:

• Are the same "Tiny LEDs" used everywhere (instruments, aircon unit, switches,...) ?
• Are red LEDs required for red digits in the instrument panel and the aircon unit?
  • If so, how many are required and where can you get them (porscheleds only seem to have super-white and blue)?

Does anybody know?

Thanks,
Bjarne

 

1. The instrument LEDs are different to the rest [no soldering required], from memory there are 2 sizes with half turn twist clips.
Haven't changed the switch LEDs yet but fom the desciption and price they look the same as the Aircon ones.

2. Red LEDs will be needed for the instrument dials.

3. For the Instrument panel you will need 3 twist LEDs to replace the bulbs behind the digital LCD display,
and 2 large & 2 small twist LEDs to replace the bulbs behind the dials

Will ask around to find out where you can get red ones.

 

Do you know were I can get the red led's for the dicpaly on the gauges and ac unit.

 

The LEDs in the instrument panel vary depending on the year of the 996. Early 996s use the bayonet, don't know if the MKII does.

 

What about the LED's that show current gear in tiptronic? There are red by default.