ZL1 door ABL - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Nemax · 08-11-2013, 12:47 PM

I recently installed ZL1 door panels with abl on my 1LT. I used the harness from gen5diy and tapped into the switches on the door. The problem is even at brightest setting on the dim switch you can barely see the blue lights.
I read somewhere that the zl1 abl is dimmer than the normal abl lights is this true? Is the light tube aimed the wrong way, whats the right way? Can I install a stronger led with the same color as oem blue? Lastly connect the wire to something else than the door switches, (speaker?)
Would really appreciate any answers / ideas you guys would have.

Thanks

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 08-11-2013, 03:25 PM

The volts that the LED"s uses to to go to full power is only 3.6V, at the switch to power the light in it is 12V, so there is full power there, in the LED is a resister that brings the the 12v down to the needed 3.6V, have you looked at a ZL1 to see if it less light? one more thing you can try is adding a second LED to the other side of the pipe.

Nemax · 08-11-2013, 05:25 PM

Thanks ofer, I just put in an order for 2 oem abl leds and splitters from your store.

G-Oil Guy · 08-11-2013, 08:38 PM

I have been told that there is some tape over the light pipe on the ZL1 that makes them dimmer. It doesn't seem to be an LED problem it's something that GM appears to have done on purpose. I read this somewhere on C5 but god help me I can't find it now.

I plan on swapping my ABL to orange to match my car. When I do I will look at my panel to see if there is something hindering the light.

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 08-11-2013, 09:33 PM

If you find it ones more post it i have never heard of this and 5 weeks ago had a set of the ZL1 door panles and did not see it on there, now there is some tape over the end of the panle but its been there from the start of the GEN 5 Camaro.

G-Oil Guy · 08-11-2013, 09:41 PM

I was able to find it but I can't link it since I'm mobile. However if you search "#271 needs a little help" you'll find it.

That being said: if I swap over to stock orange (or red as it really is) will it still be dim? If so why is it dimmer on the ZL1s then the rest of the gen5s?

Nemax · 08-11-2013, 09:55 PM

Here is the link: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240370

G-Oil Guy · 08-11-2013, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemax

Here is the link: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240370

Thanks man!

I can't wait for my internet to be hooked up at my new place.

Azzkker · 08-11-2013, 11:07 PM

its because there is black paint misted over the panel which acts as a light diffuser. Sand that off and it would be brighter.

Nemax · 08-12-2013, 03:44 PM

Thanks for all your help. I bought extra abl leds aswell as sand paper to remove the misted paint. Ill let you know how it goes.

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 08-12-2013, 07:49 PM

I have a door panel out of a dusk car and its not as bright will take it apart in the AM and see what will work.

G-Oil Guy · 08-12-2013, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemax

Thanks for all your help. I bought extra abl leds aswell as sand paper to remove the misted paint. Ill let you know how it goes.

What grit are you using?

Nemax · 08-13-2013, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Oil Guy

What grit are you using?

400 Super Fine from HomeDepot.

Nemax · 08-15-2013, 11:00 PM

Hey again.
I have removed the door panel but what part of the panel do i need to sand the paint off? Or do i need to remove the center panel from the hole door panel and work on a side not seen on the pictures below.

The first 4 pics is with the light tube and 3 after without

08-11-2013, 12:47 PM	#1
Nemax Drives: 2012 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lake Mary FL Posts: 38	ZL1 door ABL I recently installed ZL1 door panels with abl on my 1LT. I used the harness from gen5diy and tapped into the switches on the door. The problem is even at brightest setting on the dim switch you can barely see the blue lights. I read somewhere that the zl1 abl is dimmer than the normal abl lights is this true? Is the light tube aimed the wrong way, whats the right way? Can I install a stronger led with the same color as oem blue? Lastly connect the wire to something else than the door switches, (speaker?) Would really appreciate any answers / ideas you guys would have. Thanks

08-11-2013, 08:38 PM	#4
G-Oil Guy Where am I? Drives: Zoe the ZL1, 2012 Frontier Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mars, PA Posts: 6,071	I have been told that there is some tape over the light pipe on the ZL1 that makes them dimmer. It doesn't seem to be an LED problem it's something that GM appears to have done on purpose. I read this somewhere on C5 but god help me I can't find it now. I plan on swapping my ABL to orange to match my car. When I do I will look at my panel to see if there is something hindering the light. __________________ FOR SALE: 2013 ZL1 Message me if interested

08-11-2013, 09:41 PM	#6
G-Oil Guy Where am I? Drives: Zoe the ZL1, 2012 Frontier Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mars, PA Posts: 6,071	I was able to find it but I can't link it since I'm mobile. However if you search "#271 needs a little help" you'll find it. That being said: if I swap over to stock orange (or red as it really is) will it still be dim? If so why is it dimmer on the ZL1s then the rest of the gen5s? __________________ FOR SALE: 2013 ZL1 Message me if interested

08-15-2013, 11:00 PM	#14
Nemax Drives: 2012 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lake Mary FL Posts: 38	Hey again. I have removed the door panel but what part of the panel do i need to sand the paint off? Or do i need to remove the center panel from the hole door panel and work on a side not seen on the pictures below. The first 4 pics is with the light tube and 3 after without Attached Images Last edited by Nemax; 08-16-2013 at 01:33 PM.

08-11-2013, 03:25 PM	#2
2SSRS@Gen5diy Drives: 2014 Z/28 #82+#192, 18ZLE 66Nova Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: By the lake in AZ Posts: 15,719 View My Garage	The volts that the LED"s uses to to go to full power is only 3.6V, at the switch to power the light in it is 12V, so there is full power there, in the LED is a resister that brings the the 12v down to the needed 3.6V, have you looked at a ZL1 to see if it less light? one more thing you can try is adding a second LED to the other side of the pipe.

08-11-2013, 05:25 PM	#3
Nemax Drives: 2012 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lake Mary FL Posts: 38	Thanks ofer, I just put in an order for 2 oem abl leds and splitters from your store.

08-11-2013, 09:33 PM	#5
2SSRS@Gen5diy Drives: 2014 Z/28 #82+#192, 18ZLE 66Nova Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: By the lake in AZ Posts: 15,719 View My Garage	If you find it ones more post it i have never heard of this and 5 weeks ago had a set of the ZL1 door panles and did not see it on there, now there is some tape over the end of the panle but its been there from the start of the GEN 5 Camaro.

08-11-2013, 09:55 PM	#7
Nemax Drives: 2012 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lake Mary FL Posts: 38	Here is the link: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240370

08-11-2013, 11:07 PM	#9
Azzkker Drives: 2013 AGM ZL1, 99 z28, 89 iroc-z Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Decatur, IL Posts: 249	its because there is black paint misted over the panel which acts as a light diffuser. Sand that off and it would be brighter.

08-12-2013, 03:44 PM	#10
Nemax Drives: 2012 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lake Mary FL Posts: 38	Thanks for all your help. I bought extra abl leds aswell as sand paper to remove the misted paint. Ill let you know how it goes.

08-12-2013, 07:49 PM	#11
2SSRS@Gen5diy Drives: 2014 Z/28 #82+#192, 18ZLE 66Nova Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: By the lake in AZ Posts: 15,719 View My Garage	I have a door panel out of a dusk car and its not as bright will take it apart in the AM and see what will work.