Green cluster lights --- alas, we're stuck with em
- Thread starter Adieu
- Start date
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stamp11127
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Post a clear pic of the led on the pcb and we'll go from there.
Its not socketed with small bulbs like gens 1-2. It has teeeny tiny LED chips hardwired.
stamp11127
Full Access Members
Not a problem, it is called "smt" for surface mount technology. It is somewhat tedious for a newcomer but what was soldered on can be unsoldered.
It would be good if there was enough room to mount rgb LEDs. That way would could change colors easily.
It would be good if there was enough room to mount rgb LEDs. That way would could change colors easily.
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jkayca
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You'll need something like this to remove/re-solder. https://www.amazon.ca/Weller-WM120-120v-Pencil-Soldering/dp/B0000WT586
Not for the faint of heart as it is easy to short pins together when things are that small and that tight.
Not for the faint of heart as it is easy to short pins together when things are that small and that tight.
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ExpeditionAndy
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Too bad the important picture was so blurry.
stamp11127
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Yep on the blurry pic. If the white squares are the LEDs then it isn't that bad. Wait until you have to use a video camera or magnifying glass to zoom in on the components.
If there is enough room for an rgb led at each spot, all you need is a controller an thin film pcb for the LEDs.
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Flexible-Printed-Circuits/
If there is enough room for an rgb led at each spot, all you need is a controller an thin film pcb for the LEDs.
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Flexible-Printed-Circuits/
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Theyre like 3 mm to a side, seem too tiny to work with...
On a side note, tearing it apart finally finished off my already pre-broken odometer reset button (or rather the plastic button-presser thingie)...any ideas where to get a replacement?
As usual, problem with looking for it is not being sure what it's supposed to be called
On a side note, tearing it apart finally finished off my already pre-broken odometer reset button (or rather the plastic button-presser thingie)...any ideas where to get a replacement?
As usual, problem with looking for it is not being sure what it's supposed to be called
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Muddy Bean
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I’ve desoldered stuff before. I actually enjoy soldering. Anyway, someone ambitious could swap out those LEDs for a color of your choice for you.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
FisherPete
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It's a shame there was apparently no project manager during design who might have recognized that mixing 1970's LEDs with digital with analog made for a confusing mess.
Its a friggin Siemens unit, it seems intentionally engineered to be un-maintainable
Ive soldered plenty of shit too, but this is seriously tiny. And flimsy.
Ive soldered plenty of shit too, but this is seriously tiny. And flimsy.
stamp11127
Full Access Members
Those leds are about 2-3mm. Not bad to swap, but those Itty bitty resistors do take a steady hand.
You guys mean something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01CUG9YM6/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A14FP9XIRL6C1F&psc=1
Yeah the white squares in the pic are the chips
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01CUG9YM6/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A14FP9XIRL6C1F&psc=1
Yeah the white squares in the pic are the chips
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JExpedition07
That One Member
I love my green lights
stamp11127
Full Access Members
Maybe - your pic of the LEDs mounted on the pcb is blurry. Can't tell if they have short leads.
They are green for a reason. It has to do with vision and green is the color, eyes see best. Pontiac's however, had cool, red gauges. My 2011 Mustang, allows owner to pick color. I set mine on dark blue(night), white during the day.
ExpeditionAndy
Full Access Members
I have a color deficiency and green is one of those colors that I don't see very well. I can see the green grass and tree leaves and of course traffic lights but when you start getting into shades of green. I sometimes identify them as brown or even red.
The green in the information display had some blue in it but it was very difficult to see during the day.
JExpedition07
That One Member
I don’t mind the green or white/blue, I wouldn’t spend the energy to change either or as they both work. The blue and white is a bit more modern but the green doesn’t bother me at all.
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I agree, too much work. Soldering on printed circuit board, is very tricky and not recommended. One screw up and you are buying a new cluster. Soldering electronic parts, can toast them, if they get too hot. A bad connection will cause intermittent, problems. The 1st gen, have odometers, with this problem(from the factory). You will be questioning your sanity, when you are pulling the dash apart for a second time.
ExpeditionAndy
Full Access Members
I worked for a company that built electronic PCBs they had a bunch of old women doing all of the soldering particularly for the small run boards. For larger runs and had flow solder ovens. But these women were very good and I learned a lot from watching them. One key tool was a big f~cking magnifying glass and a small tipped soldering iron. They also had special heat absorbing tape that they would put on the parts they were soldering. They would also wear grounding straps on their wrists.
