Interior LED Changes

[selfagg]

I know this will probably be the dumbest question, but is there any way to change the colour of the LEDs? For example, is there any kits available, or has anyone already done this?

If not, am I going to be on my own if I try it?

I only want to do it because red doesn't really do it for me. I want green or blue

 

[markmeus]

Lol green is so 1990!

Think it has been done on mk2 leons. saw a link to some french site where they put in some white leds

Personally I love the red! And wouldnt dream of changing it

 

[selfagg]

Well, to be honest, I really like the blue and red from the VW's...

Maybe I should have got a golf, but they are just so boxy and I prefer the Leon!

 

[ChrisJ]

Yea! That neon blue with red looks the part thats for sure. There has to be something to seperate the brands i guess and the Golf won that bit!

 

[selfagg]

I could never justify buying a car just for the dash lights though, no matter how superficial I am....

Are the red lights on the dash replaceable at all? Maybe even with a coloured dials facia type thing?

 

[supercuprar]

what you want is the mustang GT has a button that changes the dash light colour i believe theres like 80 diffrent ones to choose from !

 

[selfagg]

OH, why did you have to go say a thing like that?

Still, as much as I want one, I will never, ever buy another Ford, lol.

If only we could have that kinda coolness in our noble, yet humble Leons!

 

[LEE69]

The dash leds are SMT ones and very small, and difficult to solder in, nothing is impossible though

 

[selfagg]

Hmm, it is tempting to try, I guess they are red and it isn't just the dials that have a red filter over them? (nothing could be that easy)!

Do you know how big these LEDs are at all?

 

[LEE69]

If they are anything like the mk5 astra be like these

 

[selfagg]

... How do you solder them on?

God, don't know what I'd do if an LED actually went in my dash!

 

[LEE69]

... How do you solder them on?

With a steady hand

Never had a dash apart so i might be miles off.

 

[selfagg]

Lol, good point, but I don't think any steady hand could solder them, they're tiny... Was kinda expecting regular sized LEDs

 

[LEE69]

Lol, good point, but I don't think any steady hand could solder them, they're tiny.

 

[selfagg]

fine, you win! I don't think I could do that lol.

How do these Mustangs lights change colour? multiple leds?

It'd be awesome if I could replicate that, although, probably quite expensive...

 

[kewe]

I have had my Toledo dash apart and they are really small, probably 0402/0603 size SMD's.

I think even trained solderers have trouble hand soldering these and they are probably done on wave solder machines. Chances are if you tried it you'd ruin the mainboard PCB. That is why I have steered away from this option and currently am working with skewer to create a new dial kit.

 

[selfagg]

Thought as much.. How would this kit work?

 

[lc_allan]

How do these Mustangs lights change colour? multiple leds?

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but an LED's colour is determined by the voltage passed through it. So it would just be a single LED.

People have changed the SMD's in dash/clocks etc..but it takes a skilled hand and one slip could result in a damaged circuit board.

 

[kewe]

For me it is more a case of getting white dials (currently have black dials), and using the Red backlit effect like the cupra models have. He does have lots of ideas if you need different colours but again it would mean changing the LED's. If you do want to go down this route it might be worth dropping him an e-mail as the guy is really helpful and might know someone who could do it for you.

www.skewer.co.uk

The other problem you may have is if you change the dial lighting to say blue, what about the rest of the interior like switches and climate control. You would probably have to change these too?

 

[kewe]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but an LED's colour is determined by the voltage passed through it. So it would just be a single LED.

People have changed the SMD's in dash/clocks etc..but it takes a skilled hand and one slip could result in a damaged circuit board.

Correct.