Changing Dash Leds....

[SilverGlow]

So I've been inspired by everyone's fresh looking blue LED Guages, but have never picked up a sodering iron in my life. I'm half way there with the indiglos, and only need Hammer's LEDs. Anyone have any ideas? Don't know anybody who's good with that kinda stuff, so take it to a hook up or stereo shop? I can't say I trust myself with an $800 cluster in one hand and something that could fry it in the other....or maybe it's easier than I think?

[baNanA_ryCe]

its easier than you think. its not that hard at all. you won't mess up, unless you aren't safe and cautios with the solder. also, if anyone says to take out the needles, don't. no matter what, you can paint the needle and remove the orange w/o taking the needle out. taking out the needles create problems.

[SilverGlow14]

:applaud:That's probly the best reply I've gotten on this board yet. Thanks..

[CloNeGTS]

soldering isn't hard at all. Find an old clock or something and play around with it for a few hours. You'll get the hang of it.

And I wouldn't worry so much about removing the needles. The painting can't be done too precisely with the needles on. It's easy to reset the needles. note your idle RPM and then (if you have a GTS) match up the 6k to the cam shift. Then have a buddy set his cruise for 40 or 45 and stick the speedo needle back on. Piece of cake.

[SilverGlow14]

Went to my favorite hook up shops around South Miami, and here's what I got:

-The guy i like the most is on permanent vacation (got busted for somethin)

-A self proclaimed sodering expert at the next shop said "$65 if it takes one hour, $130 if it takes two"...i would bet it'll take him two :wtf:

-And my final answer from another shop was "why pay someone to potentially screw i up when you can screw it up just fine yourself?"

Final Note: sodered some LEDs off of, then back onto my cell phone to test myself, and other than the black burn marks on the circuit it still worked afterwords :thumbup:....decisions decisions

[LEDmod]

Originally posted by baNanA_ryCe
its easier than you think. its not that hard at all. you won't mess up, unless you aren't safe and cautios with the solder. also, if anyone says to take out the needles, don't. no matter what, you can paint the needle and remove the orange w/o taking the needle out. taking out the needles create problems.

How do you remove the orange w/o taking off the needle.. give some more info please.. I'll be doing this soon..
I got all the LEDs other then gauges....
Thanks..

Sean

[baNanA_ryCe]

take a q-tip....dip it in nail polish remover...then stroke the needle where the orange is =). then let it dry or wipe it if you're brave. then get some paint or nail polish and paint ONE side of the needle. i'm not sure which side, but i'm doing the front, it seems easier!

[TheHammer]

You need to paint the backs of the needles, that's where the orange stock paint is. The reason for this is so the light comes through the clear needles and reflects off the paint on the bottom. If you paint the top, they won't light up as well.

As far as soldering goes, the soldering onto the gauges is a piece of cake, but, once you get into changing the led's on the radio, that's when you need some help. Trust me, those solder pads on the radio are frickin fragile!!!!

Just let me know if you are interested in some leds.

[mrspring]

I`m going to have to do all this too.. what type of LEDs are involved? Are they the legged type or Surface-mounted? Cos if they are surface-mounted i`m DEFINATLY going to think twice before wading in there... That stuff wrecks my head..

[X-EVIL-X]

how do we change the center console ac lights to red without spray painting them hammer?
what about the clock too?
i changed the clock but you cant see it during the day...

[Jesse IL]

Explain what you mean when you say the solder pads on the stereo are fragile please.

[mrspring]

Hey jesse, that's what i`m sot of afraid of.. the solder pads are the small metal patches on a circut board that "surface mounted" componants are dropped/soldered to.. too much heating or a clumsy hand can lift the pad from the board.. i`m not so keen on reliving my darkest Playstation2 modding failure which resulted in..

* a dead Playstation2
* a dent in the wall
* a wrist broken in 2 places
* a new Playstation2

in that order..

Please someone tell me i won`t need a jeweler's eypiece and a teeny bit for this...

[IceManFX]

my biggest concern is the position of the led's celicauk's installation guide talked about how the leds have to be installed a certain way or else they will be polarized and wont light up.. what does the correct positioning of he led look like?

im prolly gonna tackle this project tomorrow

~Eddie

[BiZzyCeLiGT]

here is the link to the how-to change led's. :)
i'm doin mine tommrow. i just picked up a 15 watt soldering iron from radio shack and some silver solder for 12 bucks. hopefully everything goes the way it should tommorow!!!
http://www.celica-club.co.uk/images/Blue%20Dash%20Board/BlueDashProject.htm

[mrspring]

Thats a good guide.. Yep, surface-mounters alright, messy... But it has to be done..

As far as polarisation of the LED is concerned, just look at the one's you remove as you do it and note the orientation, cos they definatly won't work if reversed..