Completed interior led color change

[cryptz]

Just wanted to share. It is a major PITA but I am very happy with the results. anyone that undertakes this should know you want a hot air soldering station and not an actual soldering iron...

The colors in the video are a bit off. The white is a bit whiter and the blue rings in the cd and idrive are not so aqua.

https://youtu.be/jm_eA57xZzI

[u2b]https://youtu.be/jm_eA57xZzI[/u2b]

[Yas__Plz]

Originally Posted by cryptz

Just wanted to share. It is a major PITA but I am very happy with the results. anyone that undertakes this should know you want a hot air soldering station and not an actual soldering iron...

The colors in the video are a bit off. The white is a bit whiter and the blue rings in the cd and idrive are not so aqua.

https://youtu.be/jm_eA57xZzI

[u2b]https://youtu.be/jm_eA57xZzI[/u2b]

That looks amazing, major props

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

sick tell us how!!!!!!!!111

[cryptz]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

sick tell us how!!!!!!!!111

Its a little too involved to do a DIY.

Basically you need to physically remove every part that has an led. Open that part up, I typically used a metal pick to do so. Locate all of the leds on the board. Use a volt meter to light them up so that you can determine their orientation on the board (I typically took a picture of the board with my camera, printed it out, and then noted the led orientation on the picture)

I used a hot air soldering station to remove the existing leds vs a soldering iron. Most of the leds are either 1210 or 1206. Some were smaller but I had too much of a problem working with the smaller Leds so in just about every case I used a 1210 or 1206 even if the stock one was smaller. There is room in every part for something a little bigger.

the dct shift knob is actually the hardest to do because there are very very small amber leds next to every large red led for the gear you are in indication vs the gears available.

idrive is the hardest to take apart and do without scratching the top ring.

I removed the start stop button by reaching in the hole where the headlight switch was. I removed the headlight switch by removing the storage compartment underneath it.

taking apart the steering wheel is easier then it looks, follow the guides. The door panels come off easy but its a little hard to get the window switches out. The bavsound video fails to mention that there is a retaining clip on the very front/top of the plastic housing that is really what is holding it in, not the 6 metal clips.

there are 2 pcbs in the dome lights, one in the front, one in the back, I missed the front one the first time.

those are the tips I have. honestly with a hot air soldering station and soldering paste the hardest thing ended up being figuring out how to get each part out of the car. it is very touchy though, you could easily screw something up. I really don't think its feasible with a soldering iron because most of the metal contacts are under the led surface. if you aren't familiar with a hot air soldering station google them. I got mine for 100 bucks and couldn't have done it without it. I never used one before but have soldered a couple hundred times. You will have to rate your own capabilities.

Interestingly the car will log every single disconnect you make. you need something to clear the codes when you are done. the only disconnect that generates a true error on the cluster is when you remove the airbag. I didn't disconnect the battery for any of the process though. I needed to rely too much on testing the parts with the car on. The last thing you want to do is put it back together and find out it isn't working..

[dubsesd]

Amazing dedication and job. Well done

[dzvero]

Like it , very cool

[rubber_ducky]

Impressive work. Very well done

[03Saleen]

I want this so bad but and I have a X-Tronic Hot Air Reflow station and solder all the time, but I can't bring myself to pull apart my car

[///Mongo]

Looks a lot brighter

[cryptz]

So I have changed every interior led in the car except for the auto windshield wiper led indicator.

That is the green led at the very tip of the windshield wiper tree. There is the appearance of a seem between the 2 pieces but i am unable to figure out how to seperate the 2 (i havent tried really hard, but the interior trim tool i have doesnt really budge it). I took the steering wheel shroud off and at the base of the tree the seam is less apparent, borderline not there. I was just curious if anyone has taken one of these apart. I wasnt sure if these were able to be separated or if they were somehow fused together at assembly..

since the last post i found and eliminated another problem

[Acree]

Really well done. I too went through the PITA process to do this mod because I hate amber. You provided a lot more detail than I do. I feel that in general if you need someone to tell you how to do it, they probably shouldn't be doing it in the first place. And I can confirm the iDrive knob is the biggest PITA in the car. The mirror was a little tricky but not bad. I went full white, with red accents, and all status LEDs left stock (green, etc). Also, all amber ambient LEDs were swapped for red. It's a subtle change, but it makes a huge impact.

[cryptz]

did you do anything with the wiper status indicator? that is the only thing I cannot get apart.

[Acree]

Originally Posted by cryptz

did you do anything with the wiper status indicator? that is the only thing I cannot get apart.

I actually never thought about it. I get the car back this week and will have a go at it.

[cryptz]

Let me know if you get that apart I was striking out. My last attempt was gonna be snap ring pliers to seperate it.

[ersin]

Did you change any part of the instrument cluster?


Cheers.

[KevinGS]

gorgeous...

hmmm, how far is Pottstown from Annapolis, MD? hahaha

that looks like it could be worth the drive, and worth whatever you charge, cryptz....

[cryptz]

it takes days to do it, and I don't know that I would be comfortable doing it to someone elses car.

[cryptz]

Originally Posted by ersin

Did you change any part of the instrument cluster?


Cheers.

I didn't, I didn't feel the need since they are already white, if I was going to change anything I would change the popup colors to blue from amber and green etc. maybe someday but I didn't really want to remove the cluster from the car. the concept is the same once its out.

Generally speaking removing the parts and taking them apart is way worse then changing the leds themselves.

[KevinGS]

Originally Posted by cryptz

it takes days to do it, and I don't know that I would be comfortable doing it to someone elses car.

I understand, that looks like quite a job. I'm impressed at not only the final result, but the actual gumption to partake in such an endeavor.

[s2k750]

So sick!

[te37]

Where did you source the leds from, Mouser or something similar?

[Acree]

Originally Posted by Railgun

I think you're missing the point to how an enthusiast community works.

I don't think you understand the technical expertise needed to perform this type of mod without frying thousands of dollars worth of electronics...

Ask the OP how much fun the iDrive knob was