Skoda Fabia Mk1 LED Dashboard Lighting Conversion

A how-to on replacing the lighting in a MK1 Skoda Fabia dash cluster

Step 1: Getting In

Gently lift the 8 clips to remove front cover

Step 2: Needle Removal

Gently pry off the the 4 needles

Step 3: Panel Removal

Remove the front panel

Step 4: What You Are Left With

Step 5: Remove the Screen Cages and Plastic Panel Carrier

remove the cages by bending the metal prongs so they fit through the pcb then release all the plastic clips holding the panel carrier to the pcb

Step 6: Disassembly

main parts

Step 7: Lights

Marked in the picture are the bulbs you will need to remove and replace with 3528 SMD bulbs of your colour choice

Step 8: Soldering

Unsolder the old SMDs and solder in the new bulbs taking note of correct polarity

Step 9: Check

Test the board before reassembly by plugging it back into your car and reconnecting the battery and switching the lights on

'or plug it into a test rig if you have made one'

Step 10: Reassemble and Admire

Reassemble the instrument panel in reverse order of disassembly 'taking care to align the needles

I later added red mk4 VW Golf needles as seen in the illumination pictures

Comments

[DarkoB10]

do you have a picture of better quality where are the diodes ??

[ŁukaszS33]

Hello :)

Great effect.

I have a question for you. How did you connected it for check in step 9, i mean which pins and voltage did you used? Tahnks for answer

[RyanM97]

Just connected it back to the car

[bence.zahalka]

I have already done this to my punto mk1 (changing bulbs to leds), and to grande punto as well, my next project will be a fiat linea (with the digital AC unit as well) :)
My current car doesn't need that mod, it looks cool as it is (Hyundai FD)

One minor advise for the 2nd step - next time use a fork instead, you don't want to bend the pin or break the needle

[RyanM97]

Cheers, yeah I'll be using a folk next time as it'll remove the needle easier aswell, no damage was done though ☺

They're nice the Fiat Linea, shame they aren't sold in my country thogh

[bence.zahalka]

Hi,
Some picture... First one is the final version with added temperature meter (needed to change a sensor in the engine and to put the instrument into its place), and the original green.
In the mk1 punto there are no leds, it has bulbs with plexiglass, so it was a bit harder to change and to get diffused light. Today I would make it with fresnel lens from an old LCD display...

[RyanM97]

looks great ?

[DIY Hacks and How Tos]

Nice mod. This really improves the visibility.

[RyanM97]

thanks, it's much better