LED swaps - a/c and recirc buttons

[techren]

Recently had to do some work on the a/c - recirc switch in my 03. Got to thinking why are these LED's green when the rest of the dash is red. So I set out to change them. Got some 3mm red LED's from a local electronics shop, installed them and they don't work. I am going to try some different resistors to see if I can get them to light.Would there be interest in a tutorial with parts list if I am successful? ...or does anyone here have experience with LED's that would be able to give me some pointers?Thanks!!

[Wolfman213]

LEDs are polarized. Try switching it around to the opposite contacts are now touching. This should do the trick. But since you are putting a "loose" led, I'm not sure which resistor. Head of to either oznium or superbrightleds and they have a calculator there to tell you which resistor. Or if you just go to superbrightleds.com they have a direct fit replacement IIRC

[A Psycho Martyr]

oh yeah...There IS demand in a tuteven if it's vague. any pictures will help

[techren]

So I've got both LED's to light on the work bench using a 12v power supply but when I install it in the car only the recirc lights up. Getting frustrated now but still determined to get it to work.

[techren]

Wolfman was correct I had the polarity reversed. I have now successfully completed this mod. I mentioned putting together a tutorial for this but I am hesitant to do so because I quickly realized the plastic that makes up the majority of the switch can easily be accidentally melted by the soldering iron. I could not recommend that anyone not experienced with a soldering iron should attempt this mod.

[engineertwin2]

Quote, originally posted by techren »I could not recommend that anyone not experienced with a soldering iron should attempt this mod. Sounds like a great disclaimer to put at the BEGINNING of a How-To...I'm just saying...

[A Psycho Martyr]

lol.... so true

[tpollauf]

Quote, originally posted by techren »Would there be interest in a tutorial with parts list if I am successful? ...or does anyone here have experience with LED's that would be able to give me some pointers?Thanks!!YES .... Post pics of your "how to" but if it is too involved or over everybody's head, you might not get much feedback (Trust me, that's what I'm finding out) I'll be digging into my dash over the winter on my 09 Vibe and they are probably similar. Even if it only helps out one or two fellow Vibers, it will be worth it

[A Psycho Martyr]

hey i'm interested. I like reading over tutorials for EVERYTHING ans seeing how I can apply that skill in different fields and comin up wiht concepts on what I can do differently to achieve a better look. So ANY tutorial is appreciated here in MY book

[Water boy]

When I first got into elecronics this was the soldering iron of choice....550 watts Then came this...140 watts And now I use...25-75 watts Yep, maybe some of the "younger crowd" would need a tutorial.

[tpollauf]

Quote, originally posted by Water boy » LOL .... Believe it or not, I occasionally still use one of those LARGE irons, BUT it is for seaming/soldering light gauge sheet metal When you get burned by one of these, you FEEL it

[Water boy]

I know about the metal soldering.We narrowed the chisel point so we could do speed soldering.But it did get heavy to hold after awhile.

[houseofbugs]

See my garage. You will need resistors. 540 Ohm I believe.