How To: RED LED Upgrade for 04-05 HID Leveling Switch

ProdriveREX · 04-09-2008, 07:31 AM

Here is how to do this mod correctly

Tools/parts needed:

1. 3mm Red Led (1.7v, 20mA, 150-600mcd focused light output) x4
2. Soldering Iron
3. Small wire cutters
4. Small screwdriver to open switch up
5. Q-tip and Acetone

You can buy 3mm LED in any electronics shop, just make sure they are somewhere in 150+ mcd range (Higher the mcd number, brighter the LED)

______________

1. Pull the Knob off, it will come right off

2. Use small flat screw driver to open up the switch. Two tabs on each side.

3. Secure the switch in some type of vise grips.

4. De solder the resistor from the LED and pull it back slightly (you will reuse same resistor for upgraded LEDs)

5. At this point check and see how the Stock LEDs are soldered to the switch and how they are connected together. ( You will be soldering the replacement leds in same way)

6. Easiest way to do it is to measure how much the Replacement LED legs needs to be cut, so they are all same length when replaced.

By the way on your new LEDs Short Leg will go to Resistor and Longer will be soldered to the leg thats is connected to the circuit board.

7. And now start Soldering !!! Solder everything back just like the stock LEDs.

8. You will need to use thin, but NOT sharp object to push the switch Lens with Numbers on it out to remove it. Use some Acetone or Nail Polish remover to "wipe off" Green backing on the Number Panel. It will come right off. Use Q-tip for this and only wipe off where the numbers are.

9. At this point you can re assemble everything back. Plug the switch back in and ENJOY the Awesome Red Color.

______________________

Some Pictures that will pretty much will sum it all up.
______________________

and DONE

ebelp · 04-09-2008, 07:46 AM

Damn that looks good. Thanks for the DIY.

crf-sti · 04-09-2008, 08:42 PM

very nice!

arnif · 04-10-2008, 03:09 AM

your led's are to bright...

ProdriveREX · 04-10-2008, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnif

your led's are to bright...

I like my buttons bright, Plus the picture does not completely resembles the actual look. It looks very nice, there is no bleeding to the other number, its nice and crisp.

If its too bright for you, that is why I indicated the range of brightness. You can get 20-30mcd LED and you will have very dim indicator if thats what you like.

04-09-2008, 07:31 AM	#1
ProdriveREX HowTo Contributor Car: 05STi - Meth Addict Fav Mod: ze FP green Location: 25 miles north of Seattle Posts: 125 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (5)	How To: RED LED Upgrade for 04-05 HID Leveling Switch Here is how to do this mod correctly Tools/parts needed: 1. 3mm Red Led (1.7v, 20mA, 150-600mcd focused light output) x4 2. Soldering Iron 3. Small wire cutters 4. Small screwdriver to open switch up 5. Q-tip and Acetone You can buy 3mm LED in any electronics shop, just make sure they are somewhere in 150+ mcd range (Higher the mcd number, brighter the LED) ______________ 1. Pull the Knob off, it will come right off 2. Use small flat screw driver to open up the switch. Two tabs on each side. 3. Secure the switch in some type of vise grips. 4. De solder the resistor from the LED and pull it back slightly (you will reuse same resistor for upgraded LEDs) 5. At this point check and see how the Stock LEDs are soldered to the switch and how they are connected together. ( You will be soldering the replacement leds in same way) 6. Easiest way to do it is to measure how much the Replacement LED legs needs to be cut, so they are all same length when replaced. By the way on your new LEDs Short Leg will go to Resistor and Longer will be soldered to the leg thats is connected to the circuit board. 7. And now start Soldering !!! Solder everything back just like the stock LEDs. 8. You will need to use thin, but NOT sharp object to push the switch Lens with Numbers on it out to remove it. Use some Acetone or Nail Polish remover to "wipe off" Green backing on the Number Panel. It will come right off. Use Q-tip for this and only wipe off where the numbers are. 9. At this point you can re assemble everything back. Plug the switch back in and ENJOY the Awesome Red Color. ______________________ Some Pictures that will pretty much will sum it all up. ______________________ and DONE This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by ProdriveREX : 04-09-2008 at 01:00 PM.

04-09-2008, 07:46 AM	#2
ebelp Senior STI Driver Car: 05 PSM STi Fav Mod: XM Location: NY Posts: 368 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: How To: RED LED Upgrade for 04-05 HID Leveling Switch Damn that looks good. Thanks for the DIY.

04-09-2008, 08:42 PM	#3
crf-sti STI Driver Car: 05 CGM STI Stg 2 Fav Mod: sways Location: Sonoma, CA Posts: 260 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: How To: RED LED Upgrade for 04-05 HID Leveling Switch very nice!

04-10-2008, 03:09 AM	#4
arnif Amateur STI Driver Car: 05 Subaru WRX STi Location: Iceland Posts: 36 Join Date: Jul 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: How To: RED LED Upgrade for 04-05 HID Leveling Switch your led's are to bright...