Window switch led conversion

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dezertrage

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This is a DIY on the 3RD gen window switch lights. I did this on my 2003 so I’m not sure if 06-08 are the same. This is my first write up so sorry in advance if it’s not very good. I will try to answer any questions you may have.

This is extremely difficult and time consuming. Please do not try this if you are not good at soldering or figuring things out on your own. I will take no responsibility for any false information given or if you f*ck you truck up.

The leds that I used for this came from superbrightleds.com I ordered 10 3mm blue leds. For 4 doors you only need 9 but I got one extra just in case. High power leds are not necessary for this. The regular ones are bright enough.

Materials:
Decent soldering iron
Good solder
Desoldering braid
Flat head screw drivers
Philips head screw drivers
Leds of your choice in color
Time

To start off this is your goal
IMG-20110719-00024.jpg

First you need to take the window switch assembly out of the door panel. No pix sorry. They are pretty easy to get out using a flat head screw driver or even by hand. Once it’s out unplug the wires and take to the bench.

Start by taking the trim piece off the assembly.
IMG-20110715-00007.jpg

Now the hard part. Once you get the trim plate off you need to take the black switch caps that cover the actual switch off. There is no set way, that I have found, to take these off other than pry, pry and pry some more. A little flat head screw driver comes in handy. These are very easy to break so be careful and take your time.
IMG-20110715-00008.jpg

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Once you have broken a few of those caps, it’s time to take off the back plate of the casing. Use a flat head to pry the little tabs open.
IMG-20110715-00010.jpg

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Once the casing is separated you need to remove the switch assembly. The pins on mine were not soldered. I just used some needle nose pliers to squeeze the pins enough to slide the switch board off of them.
IMG-20110715-00013.jpg

Then very carefully pry the board from the pins and casing.
IMG-20110715-00014.jpg

Now that you have just the switch board off, you need to start un-soldering all of the contacts. There will be 4 big round posts, 2 bent flat posts and two tiny posts. Leave all of the tiny posts (the leds) intact because the leds are polarized. I picked up some un-soldering braid from radio shack.
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Once you have all the solder off, you need to take the switch apart. Take the clear part off; the two black pins should stay in the clear part, set these and the metal pieces aside. Then start taking the white base off the board. This can be a little tricky if you cannot get all of the solder off the pins.
IMG-20110718-00019.jpg

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Now that all that is done, hopefully you left all of the leds in their locations; you can start taking the leds off. These are polarized so you must look into the led and see which way it is positioned. There will be a vertical piece and a horizontal piece. I’m not an expert so I don’t know which is positive and negative.
led.png

Place the new led in the same way you took the old one out. Re solder everything and put back together the same way you took it apart. I would plug everything back in and test it before you put the black switch caps back on just in case you got an led backwards. I also soldered the pins from the casing to the board because they seemed a little loose. It’s up to you though.
 

BlackedOutHemi

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Awesome. Will be using this soon to do all of my interior red! Haha. Is there any film on the switches, or are they just clear and the LEDs shine through?


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dezertrage

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No film. The OEM leds are green in color. So what ever color you choose, the switch will shine that color. Dont quote me on that about an 06-08.
 

03MopaRamman

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Complicated. and time consuming but Very Very Nice effect in the end. Nice Job!!
 

BlackedOutHemi

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Wouldn't imagine it'll be any different. But I'll find out what LEDs and get those ordered and post my results!


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BlackedOutHemi

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Working on this now. Haha. This stuff is a ***** to desolder. Especially when the soldering iron won't melt the existing solder.


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BlackedOutHemi

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So. That sucked. Got one back window switch done. Can't find any desoldering braid, so I'm trying to heat it up and suck it off. Not working well.


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dezertrage

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yea its a pain. I got the de soldering braid from radio shack. good luck
 

quietpeen

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very nice write up.
 

nim81

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Awesome write up! I can't wait to get some free time to do this!


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BlackedOutHemi

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Just finished mine! Haha. Thanks for the write up.


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0212353

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looks like fun! Thanks for posting this up!
 

BlackedOutHemi

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It's not hard once you get used to what you're doing. Haha.

Send em down ;)

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dezertrage

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Thanks everyone. Like blackedouthemi said they are not that hard after the first few. Lets see those pix of the red.
 

BlackedOutHemi

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These are day time pics. I'll have to get some night time ones tonight!

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