SMD dash conversion

**Kev_A** · 12th June 2011, 21:00

I'm in the process of changing my dash lighting to blue and red.

I've done this before in my saloon so I'm familiar with most of it all though it was a few years ago!

I have a few questions that I'm hoping some of you could answer...

I've done the heater control panel and headlight switch panel with no problems.
I've also done the drivers door switch cluster, the leds all light up but when the switch is re assembled they're really dull compared to the other bits i've done, don't remember having this problem with my saloon

My latest part is the steering wheel controls (3 button type) but I can't tell which position the standard leds are soldered in to copy.
My new leds have a long leg and a short leg (presumable + & -) but the legs on the standard leds all look the same to me

Any help on this appreciated!

Cheers!

**lee gsi** · 12th June 2011, 21:04

Maybe the leds are just not that bright.

Wht leds are in the 3 button steering wheel bit? Are they 3mm ones or surface mount?

**Kev_A** · 12th June 2011, 21:18

They're brilliant in the heater control panel and the headlight switch though...
maybe I need some brighter ones for that cluster.

Also, the odometer seems to use 4 solder points rather than 2, is there any way to use the ones I have or do I need different leds for this?

**lee gsi** · 12th June 2011, 21:28

That uses PLCC4.

On the PLCC4's 3 pins are negative and the other one is positive. If you can work out what is what you can solder a PLCC2 across those pins (Like I did in the GID How2)

The headlight one is always at full brightness I think, Do you have the dimmer turned down?

**Kev_A** · 12th June 2011, 21:43

no mate dimmer is turned up, do you have the 3 button steering controls?
I've just ordered some PLCC4's & some PLCC2 90 degrees for the speedo plus some PLCC2's to redo my drivers switch cluster, just been reading a conversion thread, the guy got his smds from crazy leds and his door switch looks 10 times brighter than mine!

**lee gsi** · 12th June 2011, 21:47

I have the scrolly one in mine.

Do you know what leds are in your buttons?

I have some LEDS left at work if you get stuck

**Kev_A** · 12th June 2011, 21:55

They're 3mm l.e.d's mate

**lee gsi** · 12th June 2011, 21:58

In that case have a look at the inside of the led and match the 'flag' on both leds:

**Kev_A** · 12th June 2011, 22:00

Just the ifo I was looking for mate! Thanks for that

**Kev_A** · 17th June 2011, 10:22

Well, i ordered some PLCC4 SMD's for my GID and odometer, some 90 deg's for the speedo and some PLCC 2's all from crazy l.e.d's!

I continued my conversion last night and may I just take the oppourtunity to say...

Like most things you get what you pay for!! I was never happy with my drivers door switch as is was too dull, even in the dark once lit up, the L.E.D's I used were from Ebay and aren't even comparable to the crazy leds items I used last night, the switch is now infinately brighter than what it was so very happy with that now!

Also redone my steering controls last night and they're working well now too! Only trouble I'm having is refitting them, what a chew on, the horn is just in the way!

Just got my roof console, passenger door switch, speedo and safeguard switch left to do