8520
04-14-2010, 11:25 PM
Been meaning to do this to my car for a while, and since I had my door panel off today anyways I decided to go ahead and do this.
I replaced the alarm leds in the doors with white ones because I think it looks better. Realistically you should find the appropriate resistor, but most leds are pretty much drop in.
On to the pictures.
To start with, you'll need to take the door panel off. There are two phillips screws holding the panel in, pictured -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2767.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2766.jpg
Next, you'll need to remove the window switch. There is a pinhole on the underside of the window switch that you need to stick a straight pick up in to to pop the window switch up and out so you can unplug it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2768.jpg
Once this is done, you can pull the door panel straight up and it will come off the door. However there are several plugs to unplug and the cable for the door latch before the door panel can fully come off. The plugs will pull straight apart and the door pull will pop out and then you can unhook the cable.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2760.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2761.jpg
Once done with that, pull the foam off the inside of the door panel to reveal your led wiring.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2765.jpg
Unplug it from the door panel (squeeze tabs on two sides) to reveal the led plug with the orangeish silicone type stuff. You will need to pry this out with a hook pick or the like as shown.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2762.jpg
Once this is out you will need to cut away the silicone between the resistor and the led itself. Once you've done that you will cut the led head of so you can connect your new led. Picture of new led for reference -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2763.jpg
I didn't have a soldering iron with me so I just butt connected the connectors, but ideally you SHOULD solder and isolate each wire with tape. From there, press your new led in to the holder. Once done with that portion you will need to put some silicone or hot glue in the led hole to help isolate the wires. As far as which side is which on the led, the resistor side will go to the shorter side of new led's legs. Once done mine looked like this -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2764.jpg
Once everything is back in, it will look something like this -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2771.jpg
Unfortunately the photo didn't catch how bright the led's are, but they are definitely brighter than stock.
I replaced the alarm leds in the doors with white ones because I think it looks better. Realistically you should find the appropriate resistor, but most leds are pretty much drop in.
On to the pictures.
To start with, you'll need to take the door panel off. There are two phillips screws holding the panel in, pictured -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2767.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2766.jpg
Next, you'll need to remove the window switch. There is a pinhole on the underside of the window switch that you need to stick a straight pick up in to to pop the window switch up and out so you can unplug it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2768.jpg
Once this is done, you can pull the door panel straight up and it will come off the door. However there are several plugs to unplug and the cable for the door latch before the door panel can fully come off. The plugs will pull straight apart and the door pull will pop out and then you can unhook the cable.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2760.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2761.jpg
Once done with that, pull the foam off the inside of the door panel to reveal your led wiring.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2765.jpg
Unplug it from the door panel (squeeze tabs on two sides) to reveal the led plug with the orangeish silicone type stuff. You will need to pry this out with a hook pick or the like as shown.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2762.jpg
Once this is out you will need to cut away the silicone between the resistor and the led itself. Once you've done that you will cut the led head of so you can connect your new led. Picture of new led for reference -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2763.jpg
I didn't have a soldering iron with me so I just butt connected the connectors, but ideally you SHOULD solder and isolate each wire with tape. From there, press your new led in to the holder. Once done with that portion you will need to put some silicone or hot glue in the led hole to help isolate the wires. As far as which side is which on the led, the resistor side will go to the shorter side of new led's legs. Once done mine looked like this -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2764.jpg
Once everything is back in, it will look something like this -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/got_no_sol/DSC_2771.jpg
Unfortunately the photo didn't catch how bright the led's are, but they are definitely brighter than stock.