This DIY is one of the first DIY taught to me by my EX Bro Kenyee. Strangely, it took me so long to have this posted on the blog. Well, there was a craze on the AUX-in cable previously and this DIY wasn't that hot at that moment. But I think as we get more bros joining us, this is back in trend. So here it is.

Firstly, you have to remove the glove compartment before you can access to the wiring. Refer to this for removal instructions. This is the view which you will see when the glove compartment is out of the way. This is the position where you will tap the power supply for the LED.

This is a close up. Notice the red and yellow wires. This is where you tap the power from. Please note this is link to your door. So power comes on when u open the door and unlock the car.




Now you will need to dismantle the panel on the driver side. There will be 2 screws and 3 plastic rivets. This is the right side screw.
This is the left screw. The arrows indicate the plastic rivets that connects the cloth-like cover to the plastic panel.

The panels are removed so that you will have more working space later. Once the screws and rivets are removed, u can remove the panels. Notice to 3 plastic covers.

You will see 2 connectors on the back where the 3 plastic covers are. You need to press the lever on the left side to remove the clips.

The lever on the left side.

Now we shall remove the panels on the neck of the steering. For convenience, please release the latch and drop your steering down. For illustration purpose, i chose to include the removal of the whole neck panel. You need to remove the knob cover at the ignition. Then you will need to unscrew 2 screws below the bottom panel as shown.

View from bottom.

Removing the screw might be a bit tedious as there is a space constraint. Recommend to use a long tip screw driver.

Once both screws are out, you can remove the top cover. Press in from the side and lift the cover upwards.

Then if you take a closer look, there is a small panel just above the ignition key location. You will need to press the catch from the inside and push the panel down.


Once the panel pops out, the bottom panel can be removed pretty easily. Take note that the steering locking latch must be released first, then the panel can slide out.

Now you will need to thread a wire through from the glove compartment side to the driver's side. Those who's hands are petite enough can try to poke through from one side to another. Previously, what we did was to get a stiff wire and use it to thread the wire from one side to another. Can use those metal clothes hanger, straighten it. But usually when we DIY, this wire is not easily available. Not a standard toolbox item. So I improvise by removing the HU panel and use that opening to help to thread the wire though. Refer to this for instructions on how to remove the HU panel.

Once you got the wire through, the end at the glove compartment side, splice the wire and connect it to this pin socket. Later you will use this pin socket to tap into the power supply shown above.

The end at the driver side is connected to the LED. This is the picture of the LED I used. It is a very bright one which i got the LED shop to solder for me. Comes with a big white resistor. You all can use any LED you want. Some use the snake LEDs and stick all round the keyring. No limitation with wat LED you choose, as long you like the throw on your keyring.

This one shown has a heat sink plate, the one for the keyring do not need. Just simply the LED and soldering at the ends of it.

The big white resistor

This is the `hidden' compartment where u can place that LED. There is actually a black plastic cover covering it which is easily removable. It's not shown in the picture, but you can see it when you remove the neck panels.

Placing the LED.

Then u plug in the pin connectors to the red and yellow wire location. You will need to shift the wires to the right side of the white plastic socket and insert the pins on the left of each wires. Not sure of the polarity but if your LED did not light up, you just reverse the pins.

Now with the lit LED, you can adjust the orientation of the LED till your liking and then secure the LED with black tape. Cover back the black plastic cover.

If you are using the LED i proposed, I would suggest you unplug the pin connectors before u start tidying up your wires. The resistor can really heat up. Since this connection, the LED will only light up when u open the door so usually this LED does not stay on for long. So I guess no worries about overheating but just in case. After you tidy up the wires, ensure the resistor is left hanging freely at some location so it will not melt ur plastic panels or wires when it gets heated up. The final steps will be putting back the panels and connecting back the pin connectors. And WAH-LAH!!!



Actually a simple DIY, just very tedious. Like the High Contrast Meter conversion. If you want, can tap other LEDs such as foot well lights to the same wire if u want the LED to only light up when u unlock or open door.