Changing the dashboard lights..

[H19CCW]

Hi all, I'm new here!
I have a 1.2 Clio Authentique and have decided to modify it a little.

Being only 18 and just leaving school Iv'e decided to take it easy and start with some subtle mods like the dashboard lights.
So far Iv'e replaced the Speedometer lights.

White Speedometer and Rev counter, Red temp and fuel gauges although they look a little orange in pictures, they are a nice red! :rasp:
I will be doing the rest over the weekend so I will post some pictures!

-Cory.

 

[Darius]

Looks really good

 

[llgsimpson]

how do you change the lights?

 

[H19CCW]

Cheers JavvaCake!

llgsimpson, you have to de-solder the existing ones and solder new ones in the colour of your choice.
i used 0603 SMD LEDs, I use them to change the player lights on xbox 360 consoles and controllers so they are a little bit small.
But they work! :clap:

 

[H19CCW]

I have also changed my mates LEDs to blue.
I can do it for others too!

 

[McGherkin]

Aren't you supposed to use PLCC2s?

 

[MWright]

Yeah 3258 PLLC-2.

0603 are half the size of these, I've also used them to change lights on my Xbox pads.

If they have the same electrical properties by all means no harm will be done, just hope they don't burn out

 

[H19CCW]

0603 are fine, they won't burn out.
they are a bit small that's all!
Nothing a little extra solder doesn't sort out.

 

[H19CCW]

I just thought I'd throw a little update out there, I have ordered 3mm white leds for the window switches and t5 base leds.. etc.

So am hoping to carry on with this tuesday!

 

[MWright]

Full LED conversion it where it's at.

I won't pic ***** my interior again ;-)

 

[H19CCW]

Sorry pal, I have no idea what you just said :S Haha

 

[MWright]

Lol was saying, a full LED conversion is where it's at

 

[H19CCW]

I get you now :lolup:

Iv'e just ordered some PLCC2 LEDs, I will be talking some comparison pictures too.
​All to come...

 

[MWright]

Lol they're half the size unsure if there's much price difference either.

 

[H19CCW]

You mean 0603 are half the size of the PLCC2 LEDs?

 

[MWright]

Yeah pretty sure they are as some LEDs on the dials are 0603 and the rest are PLCC-2 or 4.

 

[H19CCW]

Yes, the 0603's are really small!
I'd say about half the length of the PLCC-2 LEDs I removed, there where no 0603's there to remove.
Unless the warning lights to the side are 0603's.. I didn't even look at them.

 

[hobbit619]

How easy was this to do, i am so tempted but i dont want to render my dash useless

 

[McGherkin]

How easy was this to do, i am so tempted but i dont want to render my dash useless

Apparently you need a temperature controlled soldering station to do it.

I'd try, but I'm crap at soldering lol.

 

[Harbinger]

No just a soldering iron and a steady hand. Its easy to do, the hardest part is taking that b*****d dash out. The rest is a breeze. I have made a pictorial fpr everyone one here just needs wording and I'll put in in a pdf for everyone to view

 

[hobbit619]

Apparently you need a temperature controlled soldering station to do it.

I'd try, but I'm crap at soldering lol.

My soldering isn't great, very, very messy!

@Harbinger, that would be awesome, i'm sure it's not thaaaaaat hard, as I said I don't want to mess it up did you just use a regular soldering iron with a normal tip, I have a £10 iron but I don't know whether it is any good or not

 

[Harbinger]

Mines an expensive one but ive had it for years, all you really need is to take your time with it, use flux also. It was cutting the smd strips that threw mw they just send out 10 in one strip and you have to slice them with a scalpel, very small fragile stuff. I'll try and get the pdf up soon and maybe admin can host it, pics are 5mb each so I'll be here all year resizing them.