Center Console Buttons White LED Lighting

[hubbly_bubbly]

I saw this mod about a year ago on this forum. It originates from the French forum called Leon2Passion.com . I thought I would post my version of a tutorial.

I could only find 2 places in SA that sell the required LED type, SMD LED 3528, the "3528" meaning 3.5mm x 2.8mm in size . . . they are tiny! For this job one needs 21 white LEDs for the radio and 11 white LEDs for the climate control. I also used 2 blue LEDs for the “cold” (down) arrow on the temperature control buttons(thanks TFSI_Mike).

http://www.communica.co.za/ProductListing.aspx?search=ka-3528&for=partNo&in=startsWith

http://shop.rabtron.co.za/catalog/a...sid=ad6297bf458880b05b5c3729ae0cc4db&x=17&y=9

I had the choice between 300 micro candescence (Communica) and 2000mcd (Rabtron). I chose to try the 300mcd white LEDs from Communica because I didn’t want the buttons to be too bright.

Center Console Before:

Removing the radio:

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=139255

Removing the climate control:

To get the climate control unit out one needs to take out the two torx screws that are visible from the front, as well as the two that are hidden underneath the unit ( above the radio when it is in the dash). Once those are out you have to pull the unit straight forward with quite a lot of force to unclip it from the dash. There are then 3 plugs to unclip and remove.

To strip the radio, take out the 4 torx screws from the sides,

That will separate the back section from the front. Remove the metal panel/cover by removing the 7 small torx screws (I have removed 4 of them in this pic),

To separate the circuit board with the LEDs from the fascia plate, remove the 11 small torx screws,

Before pulling the fascia and circuit board apart remove the volume knob by pulling it straight out,

With the fascia plate removed,

This exposes the LEDs, there are 21 to be changed in the radio. One of them is half hidden behind the volume control.
Close inspection of the LEDs will reveal a corner that has been chamfered,

 

[hubbly_bubbly]

The corner with the chamfer indicates the polarity direction of the LED. Polarity is important with LEDs. Before removing any of the original LEDs mark the polarity on the board. This will save you from trial and error soldering of the LEDs. A good hint here would be to also take a close up clear picture of the board so you can see the correct polarities (just in case).

Now the fun part starts. I was never the best solderer, it comes with my crappy welding skills too. I was really nervous when I started but having done 50+ LEDs now Im more than comfortable with the task. The best way I found was to use a pair of special long tweezers (will post a pic) that I would hold the LED in with my left hand. With my right I would hold the solder. Always keep a small amount of fresh solder on the tip of the iron, whether desoldering the originals or soldering the new LEDs. I have a temp controlled soldering iron which I set to 235-245deg C. This seemed to be optimal for the small amount of solder. Do not keep the soldering iron pressed to the LED terminal for more than 3seconds. They are tiny LEDs and will burn out easily. Having said that it’s best to always buy a few extra in case any are faulty or burn out. Then it’s a matter of getting stuck in, desoldering the original LEDs and soldering on the new ones, remembering to have the chamfered corners on the same side that they were for the originals.

Once all the LEDs have been swapped test them by assembling the radio (with minimal screws in case it needs to be taken apart again).

To strip the climate control remove the unit from the dash cover by removing the 2 torx screws,

Open the unit by removing the 8 torx screws (3 of which are removed already in this picture),

Take the circuit board out of the front and back covers, this exposes the LEDs to be swapped,

I chose to swap all the LEDs, excluding the temperature control buttons, with white LEDs. The up arrow for the temperature control I left as red and the down arrow I swapped with a blue LED from Communica which are about 60mcd.

Again check that the LEDs are working by assembling the unit (with minimal screws) and plugging it back into the car. Once you are satisfied assemble the unit with all the screws and slot it back into the dash.

 

[hubbly_bubbly]

 

[vdawg]

thats Awesome

 

[ross27]

Very nice! I wanted to do this on my old leon, but i bought a Satnav Unit instead.


Very tidy!

 

[Rodie121]

Hi, im looking for these led's on ebay and in this country but i can find them???? could you send me a link?

 

[unsheenashashin]

Uber smart mate, good job and useful tutorial......

 

[olitaylor07]

Are you willing to share your services?


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[Wimbledonian]

Hi, im looking for these led's on ebay and in this country but i can find them???? could you send me a link?

Possibly HERE.

 

[robthebubble]

I've done this mod, however you can save a load of cash by buying one of these and de-soldering them. That's what I did and it worked a treat...I only damaged a couple of them and that's when I was practicing to remove them.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G4-24-SMD...5162328?pt=UK_Light_Bulbs&hash=item5d3b331658

 

[olitaylor07]

Have you also done all the lights on the door handles and centre console by the handbrake?


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[robthebubble]

Have you also done all the lights on the door handles and centre console by the handbrake?


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[Rodie121]

Possibly HERE.

thanks man