[BMWE934me]

Originally Posted by glachhman

Did something a little different on the rear ambient lighting. Widened the opening where the stock leds were and put 3mm leds. Connected it directly to the pins to get full brightness.

I did that on my door and rear side panels. They do the trick. I did one on the FZD too, but I had it a little sideways and pull off a pad when I tried to straighten it.

[BMWE934me]

Here's the board for the arrows on the CIC controller. Much simpler to do once given the secret to getting to it taking the gray piece out. Thanks again. My eyes hate these 2214's though.

[BMWE934me]

Merry Christmas to everyone. I decided to take advantage or the upper 50's lower 60's degree day here in the Dallas area and finish my LED conversion.

I had to finish my FZD and CIC controller arrows. Earlier in a couple posts prior, I showed how I soldered a PLCC-2 or 3528 LED to a PLCC-4 pad for the replacement of the ambient lights. Well I changed up and made things even more simplified. Use only the 2 right side pads and solder a 2214 to them. Just leave the other two open. Works like a champ.





Once I replaced the LEDs on the circular board in the CIC controller, I tested it prior to reassembly.



Once tested, I reassembled and tested again.





Now, every LED has been swapped out to a white or blue.

I hope this is all helpful to most reading this thread.

[NightStalker]

Great and informative thread. I'm actually doing a custom project as well but it's more towards my cluster gauges.

I had custome gauges made for my coupe..they are backlit white...while my stock needles will light up stock cluster color.

I'm experiencing one issue though...my oil gauge section the two LEDs are not lighting up at all...everything else lights up fine after the led swap.....I had stock LEDs smd then I changed to white....but I'm now in the process of reverting back to red but the main issue is still present...any ideas what I can do?

[BMWE934me]

Originally Posted by RVS 8

Great and informative thread. I'm actually doing a custom project as well but it's more towards my cluster gauges.

I had custome gauges made for my coupe..they are backlit white...while my stock needles will light up stock cluster color.

I'm experiencing one issue though...my oil gauge section the two LEDs are not lighting up at all...everything else lights up fine after the led swap.....I had stock LEDs smd then I changed to white....but I'm now in the process of reverting back to red but the main issue is still present...any ideas what I can do?

There are a few things that could affect the LEDs to not work. Polarity is one of the most common issues. Next would be a burned out LED, either DOA or overheated. Then there is a chance the pa was pulled off while removing the OEM LED.

I would first check that the LED is good. Use a multimeter and check continuity across the LED. Make sure the negative lead is to the notched side of the LED. The LED should light up if it's good.

Check out this photo to be sure the polarity is correct. The dots represent the notched or negative side of the LED.

[NightStalker]

What is the "pa" you are stating that is pulled off? & polarity wise I checked at least 5x

[BMWE934me]

Originally Posted by RVS 8

What is the "pa" you are stating that is pulled off? & polarity wise I checked at least 5x

Misspelling. "pa" meant to be "pad". If the soldering pad is torn off of the trace, your circuit would be open.

I know it's too late for this, but it would be helpful to others. Plug in your circuit board prior to reassembly to make sure your LEDs work as shown below.

[BMWE934me]

One other thing that I have touched on in previous posts, make sure the forward voltage rating of the LEDs you buy, do not exceed the voltage drop at the pads you are replacing the LED.

When buying white and blue LEDs, look for the ones than have a forward voltage of 3.2v. OEM Amber LEDs use 1v less than most white or blue LEDs. Sometimes the circuit does not provide enough voltage to power the LED you bought. This will require a change of resistance in the circuit to get the higher voltage or changing your LED within the range of the voltage drop available.

[NightStalker]

Hmm. I will have to double check soon if the pad is damaged. If it is..is it repairable?

[BMWE934me]

Originally Posted by RVS 8

Hmm. I will have to double check soon if the pad is damaged. If it is..is it repairable?

They are repairable. Do a Google search "how to repair a solder pad". There are several examples on how to do it. Both, illustrations and videos.

I have yet to do it myself, but I have a board I should practice on.

[glachhman]

Im in the process of replacing the resistors on the cic controller to make it brighter. I'll update you when I'm done. I can tell you the ones that face the inner circle dont need a resistor at all since they're in series.

[BMWE934me]

Originally Posted by glachhman

Im in the process of replacing the resistors on the cic controller to make it brighter. I'll update you when I'm done. I can tell you the ones that face the inner circle dont need a resistor at all since they're in series.

You're doing quite well when you advance to the CIC controller. I didn't find it necessary to change resistance there. LED voltage and color will vary the brightness though and the users preference. Add a photo of your accomplishments.

[BMWE934me]

If anyone is interested in these mods, I have a red set of door switches for an e90 and a blue set for an e92 or e93, both with power mirrors. Also the Hazard, DTC and Lock switch and headlight switches too with rear fog light upgrade. PM me for details.

[BlackBetty335i]

I really wish I knew how to do this. That blue looks really good. But I'm afraid if I tried I would mess something up

[Amonra08]

Originally Posted by BlackBetty335i

I really wish I knew how to do this. That blue looks really good. But I'm afraid if I tried I would mess something up

+1 This, lol

[CeeWhizzle]

That carbon fiber(?) trim really sets the color out around the steering wheel and console area. A bit too much carbon trim for my taste, but looks great! Might try this myself sometime. I was never the kind to play with interior parts. Scared from all the little plastic clips and springs holding it together :P Im sure this was quite the learning curve to do all those LED's.

[BMWE934me]

Originally Posted by BlackBetty335i

I really wish I knew how to do this. That blue looks really good. But I'm afraid if I tried I would mess something up

Practice on a circuit board from a salvage yard. Then start with the easier components in the car. Window switches and headlight switches. Or have someone do them for you.

[bmw325i]

Originally Posted by glachhman

Did something a little different on the rear ambient lighting. Widened the opening where the stock leds were and put 3mm leds. Connected it directly to the pins to get full brightness.

How do you like the blue LEDs? I'm still undecided if I want those leds white or blue.

[BMWE934me]

Originally Posted by CeeWhizzle

That carbon fiber(?) trim really sets the color out around the steering wheel and console area. A bit too much carbon trim for my taste, but looks great! Might try this myself sometime. I was never the kind to play with interior parts. Scared from all the little plastic clips and springs holding it together :P Im sure this was quite the learning curve to do all those LED's.

The carbon fiber I used has silver reflective strips in it. The blue LEDs really do it justice at night. It's not everyone's thing I know. Just like color changing OEM LEDs isn't either. I just don't like following the crowds.

As for the removal of the components for LED replacement, get a set of plastic/nylon trim removal tools and take your time. I have removed most of mine numerous times without issue. They almost pop out by themselves when I look towards them now, as I need to test some items in the car. Since I had already removed every removable trim piece in the car to have carbon fiber-ed, I was very familiar with the removal process of most components.

It is a learning curve. You will learn a lot about your car and understand more about the way things work in it.

[BMWE934me]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

How do you like the blue LEDs? I'm still undecided if I want those leds white or blue.

That looks great! As for the color, that's up to you. I like mine blue, as all they are is ambient light. I put white 10 LED bulbs in the map or reading light sockets and a blue 5 LED bulb in the dome socket. It is all an individual taste thing. Do it your way!

[bmw325i]

Originally Posted by BMWE934me

That looks great! As for the color, that's up to you. I like mine blue, as all they are is ambient light. I put white 10 LED bulbs in the map or reading light sockets and a blue 5 LED bulb in the dome socket. It is all an individual taste thing. Do it your way!

My thoughts are blue might be too noticeable but I'm having a hard time picturing it. I'll probably go with white to be safe.

[BMWE934me]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

My thoughts are blue might be too noticeable but I'm having a hard time picturing it. I'll probably go with white to be safe.

Since the majority of your LEDs are white, it would be better. Have you done or going to do your door ambient lights? Keep with your scheme. I used the 2214 LEDs to kind of reduce the light from the FZD ambient lights.