Styling FAQ - Dash Switch Illumination

[Little Red Devil]

A simple guide to changing the LED's of the dash switches.

you will need solder, soldering iron, possibly a pair of scissors and patience.
2.5v 3mm LED's in any colour you prefer.

- Remove all the dash switches including the headlight switch. remembering where each one go's.
- on the push switches pull the bulb holder from the back of the switch.
- pull the LED by the bulb and completely remove it noting the resistor on the bottom of the holder.
- with your new LED insert the legs into the guides. the longer of the LED legs go's with the resistor. THIS IS ESSENTIAL FOR THEM NOT TO BLOW.
- re-insert the holder into the switch. there should only be one way it will fit back in, but if not the resistor go's at the bottom.
- repeat for all push type switches and fit them back in the dash.

- with the headlight switch you will either need to de-solder or cut the existing LED out.
- you will also need to cut your new LED down to size but also make a note of which is the longer leg.
- the longer leg of the LED needs to be soldered to left contact(working from the behind the switch).
- finally solder the other leg and push the LED into the same position as the original.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO MELT THE PLASTIC OF THE SWITCH WHEN SOLDERING!
- re-fit into the dash and test.

the best LED's to use are diffuse ones as this lights the entire icon and doesnt concentrate the colour on one point.

Little Red Devil (L.R.D). Huge ice on its way. Not too far off 1242cc conversion. Still need a rear bumper. "its proper bo i tell thee!"

 

[Little Red Devil]

as requested i have added some images which help with some of the desriptions.
1)orientation of the bulb holder in relation to the switch.
2)position of resistor on the bulb holder
3)long leg of LED paired with resistor

4)view from behind the headlight switch
5)bend the old LED to cut out/insert the new LED in the same position. it can be bent into position once soldered.
6) solder the contact points remembering that the long leg(after its been cut) gos to the left contact.

 

[sjg1983]

i did this and i didnt remove the whole of the 4 switchs but u can just pull the switch out and pull the led out the slide the new one back in,

but on the ones i got theres a resistor on the light for the headlight switch and i cnt get that to work

 

[arc]

Just adding to this, anyone farting around with LEDs in their cars.
Do not put an LED in as your battery or ECU/injector light. Just..don't ok - trust me!

 

[custard]

Just adding to this, anyone farting around with LEDs in their cars.
Do not put an LED in as your battery or ECU/injector light. Just..don't ok - trust me!

:idea:

 

[chris4500uk]

Just adding to this, anyone farting around with LEDs in their cars.
Do not put an LED in as your battery or ECU/injector light. Just..don't ok - trust me!

why why why

 

[custard]

well certain systems require the correct resistence over the circuit.eg the charging system requires the correct rated bulb in the circuit.
as arc found out an led doesnt do this so leads to a poor charge on the battery

 

[arc]

and buggers up ur alternator, makes the car run like crap. The ECU light seemed to hate being an LED too, fluttery idle and such.

 

[Liam]

Has anyone illuminated the heater controls in LED's?

Liam

 

[chris4500uk]

What about the elec window switches????

 

[cinqsandminis]

I changed all of the bulbs in my dash to LEDs - window switches, clock, heater controls, speedo etc. Have a look at the video to see the colour-changing ones in the switches - the window switches weren't done but now they are blue. I make no apologies for the soundtrack...

 

[Jonlees]

can anyone tell me where i could buy some of the leds that change colour because i would like to fit some to my cinq

 

[custard]

can anyone tell me where i could buy some of the leds that change colour because i would like to fit some to my cinq

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3mm-10x-RGB-R...8QQihZ007QQcategoryZ66954QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/default.php?manufacturers_id=18&osCsid=a21648477f2c48868df9ffb79ac4413a

 

[Jonlees]

Thanks

 

[richydraper]

check out a company called crazyLEDs on ebay hes a geordie and a good one he seems to want to bent over backwards for my needs i gotta ring him about heater control led types and the one for the clock heres a link for his store have a word with him u might be suprised!!!!

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Crazy-LEDS

 

[DanWard]

Got these on order! Going to have a bosh at it.

 

[richydraper]

ive done all my dials and switches and heater controls and the clock so if anyone needs any advice ill try my best to help

 

[DanWard]

Got my LEDs through the post today! Going to put them in tonight (or try at least! it's going to be quite dark)!

 

[DanWard]

Well... I got the fog light switch in! But gave up after that as it is rather fiddly and bodged without a soldering iron, will attempt to do the rest later.

One thing I've noticed, they are alot brighter! You can even see the new LED lit up in the daytime!

 

[SkinzCinqSporting]

All the switches are easy, only the headlight needs soldering, which just needs a lack of the shakes