Interior lights and cluster LED "LOTS OF PICTURES!"

Originally Posted by infinite012

No, I haven't. I did, however, fix my missing pixel problem with the LCD by twisting the metal prongs tighter to the PCB. Just a few loose connections on those two zebra strips which made contact when I tightened everything up.

I will probably have another go at the LCD LEDs sometime in the future, though. It doesn't bother me enough to pull it apart just yet.

Also, do you think it would be possible to solder on PLCC2 LEDs instead of the 0805? I know the earlier cars came with headunits with PLCC2 LEDs. http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=779712

So now you got no lighs in the LCD ? i'm trying to desolder some resistors.. but i can't see any imporovement here. but i'm not sure if you can get enough space to plcc-2 where the 0805 is.. just have to do some more experiments here

Originally Posted by kneescrap

Sorry i don't have any pictures of it.. but it should be easy. When you get them out from the ashtray. Just simple drag out the whole led with resistors and stuff from the side you see the 2 connector pins... its hard to explain. but you will figure it out. you might have to use a bit of force to get them out. you can use a plier between the 2 connector pins on the little "smd" board and pull.. When you get them out. cut off the old ones and solder on some new. if you dont get them out using some force.. just apply some more force you dont break them

Hey Kneescrap, thanks for the advice, I've managed to pull them out with a nose piler. I think they might have been glued in because they were quite tough to pull out. I didn't do it first time around because I was worried that I might break it... after your advice I did it but also manage to cut myself as the board came out it sliced my finger

I cut the old led off and then cut the legs very short on the new led to match the old one but struggled to solder the led straight and after a few attempts, I managed it. After pushing it back into the holder, I've found the led not lighting up. so it took a few goes to resolder the led and making sure there was no break in the soldering. Also the solder came apart by the resistor so I had to re-join the connection there too, so re-tested it all and everything was ok...

Managed to do the front and back ashtray lights in 2 hours

Yeah those little ashtray lights seem like no big deal after soldering PLCC2 and 0805 LEDs, but they seriously take the LONGEST TIME to desolder/resolder. Stupid LED holder.

Originally Posted by BadzMaru

Hey Kneescrap, thanks for the advice, I've managed to pull them out with a nose piler. I think they might have been glued in because they were quite tough to pull out. I didn't do it first time around because I was worried that I might break it... after your advice I did it but also manage to cut myself as the board came out it sliced my finger

I cut the old led off and then cut the legs very short on the new led to match the old one but struggled to solder the led straight and after a few attempts, I managed it. After pushing it back into the holder, I've found the led not lighting up. so it took a few goes to resolder the led and making sure there was no break in the soldering. Also the solder came apart by the resistor so I had to re-join the connection there too, so re-tested it all and everything was ok...

Managed to do the front and back ashtray lights in 2 hours

Congratulations i cut my self to when i pulled it appart. the little pin on the top side of the SMD board made a big big cut in my finger but that happends i just CAN'T figure out how to get the LED lights in the back of the LCD light up in the cd player.. i am desoldering a lots of resistors here.. but it's not that easy

hmm. it is something strange with those original amber LED's when i use my multimeter with the LED tester. I can read a value of 1400 "something" i dont know what that number is.. but i think it is resistance.. i dont really know.. but when i test the blue LED with the multimeter. it reads no value.. ?? Maybe it is produced some different types of the 0805 LEDs ?

Kneescrap and infinite012, do you have the following 0805 led information that your using?...

Intensity (MCD)
Forward Voltage (V)
Forward Current (mA)

Wavelength : 465
Brightness : 150mcd
Current : 30mA
Voltage : 3.2 - 4.0v
Viewing Angle : 120 degrees
Size : 1.25mm x 2.0mm

That's all i know about it.. The seller information says nothing about the forwarding (V) and (mA)

bought it from led-depot.co.uk

Kneescrap, try the ones from ebay, do a search for 0805 blue led, you can get them that have voltage of 3.0 - 3.2 and MCD of 150 - 200 which might help. I think the problem will be a combination of resistors and high voltage leds... Try measuring the voltage before it gets to the resistor and work from there...

Thanks for advice. I will try using a less power hungry ones.

To get rid of the frustration i just mailed becha in deutchland to get some help about the LED's behind the LCD of the cd player. Those guys are professional Hopefully i will get an answer there.. Just have to wait
If you are bored you can see some pictures of the projects they have done here www.becha.de
I can love the green ones to

Just completed my multi-steering wheel trim lights in white and there quite dim. The 1206 I've used have the follow... 3.2v-4.0v, MCD 250, forward current 30mA. Anyone know which ones to use to get brighter ones in?

I thought someone put in PLCC2 in their multifunction steering wheel instead of the 1206 LEDs?

Link: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpos...&postcount=299

Anyways, how hard was the wheel buttons to pull off? Does the airbag have to come out?

Hi infinate012, You just need a long T20 torx screwdriver and two flat head screwdrivers. The two flat head screwdrivers to release the airbag out and then inside theres to T20 screws to undo and then at the bottom back of the steering wheel therre two more T20 screws that needs un-doing, after that you just pop the trim off...

Infinite012 !

I have figured out a solution now after mutch testing. Behind the LCD there is conected 3 and 3 LED's in serial, i you remove 1 led in each circut. Like this on the picture. There you se red. just make a jumper there with no resistance. You will get enough light
SO THEN FINALLY i'm finished. I will put out some pictures when it gets dark

Wow that seems a bit too simple of a fix but I guess we were right to think the LEDs weren't getting enough power. I'll give your fix a try next week when I'm back at home.

Yes.. that was a quick fix and it works well

some of the finished product












Not the best pictures.. but i works

Any idea on if PLCC2 will fit, though? My 0805 LEDs are soooo dim compared to the PLCC2.

wow great job!!! it really looks cool

Originally Posted by infinite012

Any idea on if PLCC2 will fit, though? My 0805 LEDs are soooo dim compared to the PLCC2.

i don't think the plcc-2 will fit.. But what MCD are those 0805 ?

Originally Posted by mujjuman

wow great job!!! it really looks cool

thanks i love it

looks nice, but doesn't your eyes hurt? blue hurts my eyes.

and i have yet to find someone that can successfully do the LCD part white lol