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How To install: Trip Computer 3mm LED (Pics) Also Simplied Switch How to
I Just finished with my 4th successful 3mm LED install in the Trip Computer. I took pics along the way which hopefully will be helpful to anyone attempting this mod.
Please Post feedback and any questions you may have!
Here are the tools you will need for the install. Note I used a Dremel Screw driver tool. You may use a jewelers screw driver which should work quite well. Once you have soldered an LED into place I recommend you nudge it slightly to ensure the solder is strong. Its better the solder breaks now while your switch is apart than later while driving down the road. Remember dont force anything! Gentle Pressure is best.
First use your screw driver to wedge open the casing of the trip computer. I chose to wedge open the side with only 1 clip. Then simply kept opening it until the other 2 clips released.
Now gently wedge the Circuit Board from the backing
Remove the OEM LEDs. A gentle twist in each direction will loosen them. This will leave a metal contact to which you can solder.
Widen the holes for each LED. I recommend to widen them just enough so that the 3mm will slide down into the hole until they are mounting deep and they should appear just about flush on the side which you will be soldering(as shown in diagram below) This will help greatly as the LEDs will remain in place as you solder.
Now you notice the LEDs stick up a bit off the back of the circuit board. So long as your LEDs are mounted flush into the holes they rear cover of the tripcomputer will fit no problem (*edited: used to require drilling... how to has changed to reflect a better installation process)
Bend the LED leads so they wrap around as shown here. Cut the leads so that the leads terminate right where they will touch the oem LED contacts. Then Solder the LEDs into place. Note wiring diagram. Red + idicated the postive solder point. (hint. If you look inside the LED you will see what appears to be an arrow. This arrow Points to the positive lead of the LED)
Now, you should shave the small 'nip' on the 3rd peg. In the picture it is shown smooth. If it is not totally smooth this 'nip' will push the LEDs out of place. You will need to shorten each one of these pegs by about 1-2mm. Resassmeble as shown below.
Reassemble the Trip Computer. Make sure all the buttons click as they should. And your done! If the buttons do not click repeat the above step and shave the pegs down by a Very Small amount, little by little, until everything reassembles nicely and all the buttons click and illuminate properly. DO NOT force the buttons...if they dont click then the pegs are pressing directly against the LEDs. Force it and you will break your solders.
My interior. LEDs in every swtich. est 23 leds in total.
SWITCH HOW TO
Now for an easy way to open up a switch!
Use a thin Jewlers screwdriver and pry off the top of the switch lightly. if you have 2 screw drivers and can apply even pressure to both side you will be golden. The switch cover is like a SeeSaw...so what you are doing is unclipping the 2 center posts, allowing the switch cover to be removed.
Since the switch is in an UpRight Posistion there is no chance of loosing the copper contacts. I highly recommend you be careful that they do not get lost. remove them and put them in a dish out of the way. You can easily reinsert them with a needle nose pilars 'nip' facing down.
You will now have access to the LED. Cut it out. Leaving the OEM resistor and enough wire on each end so you can solder to it. Notice that the OEM led holder has 4 'nips' which hold the oem led. A typical 3mm led is too wide to fit. So simply trim the 2 triangle 'nips' so that they now match the other 2. Bend LED leads as shown and trim where needed. Now it will hold a 3mm led snugly and you may solder the led in. A fine tip soldering iron is needed.
Now trim the switch housing as shown.
Reassmble the swtich, making sure the copper contacts are still there with the 'nip' facing downwards. Click the switch in both directions to make sure it works! Your good to go!
here is are completed switches installed. Note: in person they will appear just as bright in a vivid blue.
I Just finished with my 4th successful 3mm LED install in the Trip Computer. I took pics along the way which hopefully will be helpful to anyone attempting this mod.
Please Post feedback and any questions you may have!
Here are the tools you will need for the install. Note I used a Dremel Screw driver tool. You may use a jewelers screw driver which should work quite well. Once you have soldered an LED into place I recommend you nudge it slightly to ensure the solder is strong. Its better the solder breaks now while your switch is apart than later while driving down the road. Remember dont force anything! Gentle Pressure is best.
First use your screw driver to wedge open the casing of the trip computer. I chose to wedge open the side with only 1 clip. Then simply kept opening it until the other 2 clips released.
Now gently wedge the Circuit Board from the backing
Remove the OEM LEDs. A gentle twist in each direction will loosen them. This will leave a metal contact to which you can solder.
Widen the holes for each LED. I recommend to widen them just enough so that the 3mm will slide down into the hole until they are mounting deep and they should appear just about flush on the side which you will be soldering(as shown in diagram below) This will help greatly as the LEDs will remain in place as you solder.
Now you notice the LEDs stick up a bit off the back of the circuit board. So long as your LEDs are mounted flush into the holes they rear cover of the tripcomputer will fit no problem (*edited: used to require drilling... how to has changed to reflect a better installation process)
Bend the LED leads so they wrap around as shown here. Cut the leads so that the leads terminate right where they will touch the oem LED contacts. Then Solder the LEDs into place. Note wiring diagram. Red + idicated the postive solder point. (hint. If you look inside the LED you will see what appears to be an arrow. This arrow Points to the positive lead of the LED)
Now, you should shave the small 'nip' on the 3rd peg. In the picture it is shown smooth. If it is not totally smooth this 'nip' will push the LEDs out of place. You will need to shorten each one of these pegs by about 1-2mm. Resassmeble as shown below.
Reassemble the Trip Computer. Make sure all the buttons click as they should. And your done! If the buttons do not click repeat the above step and shave the pegs down by a Very Small amount, little by little, until everything reassembles nicely and all the buttons click and illuminate properly. DO NOT force the buttons...if they dont click then the pegs are pressing directly against the LEDs. Force it and you will break your solders.
My interior. LEDs in every swtich. est 23 leds in total.

SWITCH HOW TO
Now for an easy way to open up a switch!
Use a thin Jewlers screwdriver and pry off the top of the switch lightly. if you have 2 screw drivers and can apply even pressure to both side you will be golden. The switch cover is like a SeeSaw...so what you are doing is unclipping the 2 center posts, allowing the switch cover to be removed.
Since the switch is in an UpRight Posistion there is no chance of loosing the copper contacts. I highly recommend you be careful that they do not get lost. remove them and put them in a dish out of the way. You can easily reinsert them with a needle nose pilars 'nip' facing down.
You will now have access to the LED. Cut it out. Leaving the OEM resistor and enough wire on each end so you can solder to it. Notice that the OEM led holder has 4 'nips' which hold the oem led. A typical 3mm led is too wide to fit. So simply trim the 2 triangle 'nips' so that they now match the other 2. Bend LED leads as shown and trim where needed. Now it will hold a 3mm led snugly and you may solder the led in. A fine tip soldering iron is needed.
Now trim the switch housing as shown.
Reassmble the swtich, making sure the copper contacts are still there with the 'nip' facing downwards. Click the switch in both directions to make sure it works! Your good to go!
here is are completed switches installed. Note: in person they will appear just as bright in a vivid blue.
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