"How To" - Change Interior LEDs
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"How To" - Change Interior LEDs - 3/4/2008 11:58:40 AM
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GTstangB.F.D.M.
Posts: 1739
Joined: 4/1/2007
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Article:
One thing that always bugged me about our cars is the mycolor option is only limited to the dash. Why couldn’t Ford really go above and beyond and allow all the LED’s to be controlled by the mycolor buttons? I had some hope when I heard of the ambient lighting package of the 08 but this still leaves the dash buttons and switches that pale boring green. I finally decided to change them out myself. Apparently “Mycolor” is blue since that is what my dash has been set to since I got it. The switches in the mustang use two types of LEDs- PLCC-2
- Standard through-hole domed
PLCC-2 SMT LED total =50
Radio: 26
Mycolor sw: 3
TCS: 1
A/C: 15
Cruise L: 2
Cruise R: 3
Through Hole LED total =7 (can use PLCC-2 style - details in soldering section)
Window DR: 2
Window PS: 1
Lock Driver: 2
Lock Passn: 2
First thing to do is remove the switches from the car. One of the nice things about the S197 mustang is that it is easy to take apart.
To do this swap you will need the following:- PLCC-2 LEDS of your preferred color (See above for quanity)
- Through-hole LEDs (I chose not to use them)
- Low wattage Soldering Iron (Flat or small tip preferred but not required)
- Solder (I use Silver Bearing solder with a Rosin core. This stuff is awesome and I’ve been using it for almost 10 Years and haven’t found anything that works better on electronics)
- Small Tweezers
- Solder Sucker (optional)
- Desktop vice (optional)
- Patience
- More Patience
Cruise control switches:
My car has the IUP steering wheel so I am unsure of the standard wheelRemove left and right IUP panels by slowly lifting them out.
 With the panels removed, lift the outside edge of the button assembly towards you. The harness connects on the inside edge so take your time and be careful not to damage them. I didn’t have to but you could always remove the airbag assembly to gain better access to the connectors
 Once out there is one screw on the back and a few tabs securing the button assembly together.
 Once separated you will remove the circuit board, rubber membrane, and contact pegs. Do this for both sides. There are 2 LEDs on the left switch and 3 on the right
 Center Dash and Radio Removal:
To remove the center dash piece you must first remove the console finish (upper) panel.Lift the Trim bezel (Auto) or Shifter boot from the console. (item1) Place the parking brake in the up position Lift the console lid and remove the 2 screws at the back of the finish panel (item 2) Lift the upper finish panel from the back and slowly work your way forward (item 3).
Be careful and take your time, you don’t want to scratch anything Place the manual boot through the hole and remove the panel.
(I removed mine completely) Remove the two center stack wings by grabbing at the bottom and pulling them towards you (item 4)
 Remove the 6 7mm screw securing the center panel Remove all electrical connections
The AC plugs are a bit tedious to remove. The one on the fan switch has a release tab and the one on the vent selection has a release tab and a grey lever that must be lifted. The switches and Accessory plug have a press release (See pic on step 11).
 Remove the 4 7mm bolts securing the stereo and disconnect the 3 plugs and antenna plug. Remove the stereo and set it aside The top buttons are removed from the panel by pressing the 4 tabs (2 top/bottom) and pushing through the face of the cover.
 Mycolor / TC button and Radio DissasemblyOn a work surface remove the 4 back screws of the upper switches and separate the circuit board from the front and back. Do this for both.
(If you look real close you’ll realize the switch boards are the same but flipped over for the opposite side)
 Stereo: Remove the 2 Torx screws on each side of the face plate
 Remove the volume knob by pulling it away from the stereo
 Lift the locking tabs on the top and bottom of the face plate and gently pivot the face away from the body
 Disconnect the two plugs running from the circuit board at their connection port in the body. Remove the 4 screws securing the face to the circuit board and remove.
If you are replacing the Green Lens plate perform steps 7-9 otherwise skip these stepsRemove the white backing and black support plate.
 Remove the CD /AM-FM buttons by lifting the hinge-points and pushing them through the front of the face plate.
 Using a small screwdriver in the notched area lift the lens cover from the face plate (carefully).
 AC Controls Removal / disassembly (2005 – 2006):Remove the 4 Torx screws securing the control to the dash plate.
 Remove the 3 control knobs by pulling the knobs away from the AC assembly
 Depress the 4 tabs (2 each) on the top and bottom of the control module and separate the cover
 Remove the 3 Torx screws securing the circuit board and separate
 Remove button membrane Mark the green LEDs with a marker so you remember which LEDs to remove
(The following pic can be used as a guide)
 Note: 2007 – 2008 AC controls see method 2 of the following document:
http://www.silverhorseracing.com/Ins...%20Control.pdfDoor Lock and Window Switches Removal disassembly To remove the lock switches you have to remove the door panel. I removed one without removing the panel and it was quite difficult. <Will be updated once I retake pics. PDF's are placeholders> 1. Door panel http://www.buildingeleanor.com/image.../doorpanel.pdf 2. Window switch removal http://www.buildingeleanor.com/image...pdf/window.pdf 3. Separate switch assembly by depressing tabs on the side. (be careful the plastic is fragile - I had better luck lifting between the tabs to remove) Headlight switch (Non-Fog version) The headlight switch uses a standard bulb. I will update this to LED when I install my DIY ambient light kit. 1. Make sure Left stack wing is removed 2. Pull driver lower pillar cover <Pic coming> 3. Pull the bottom of instrument panel slightly to open enough space <pic coming> 4. Remove 2 screws from the bottom of steering column cover plate 5. Slowly lift panel and separate 6. On the back of the switch there is a small keyed plate. Turn it counter-clockwise to unlock and pull the light out 7. <to be continued> Removing / Installing the LEDs: Surface Mount A low wattage soldering iron is preferred since you want to have as little heat as possible. (I use a 15w) 1. Prepare part by placing it on a flat surface securely 2. Make sure your iron tip is clean. I use a fine point when soldering 3. Make note of factory LED orientation, there should a bevel on the corner noting the polarity of the LED. 4. Apply iron to upper side of factory LED until solder flows. 5. While applying heat, use the solder sucker to remove the solder and repeat for the other side. 
6. If LED does not slide from circuit board, reapply heat and lift side with tweezer. 7. Repeat for other side if necessary 8. If any solder remains after removal, reheat and remove with sucker 9. Apply a small amount of solder to iron tip until it holds a bead on the end. 10. Using tweezers hold the new LED in the original location and orientation as the original. 11. Apply the pre loaded tip to one side of the LEDand repeat for other side 12. If more solder is needed reapply. Through Hole The LEDs in the window and lock switches are through hole LEDs. 
Make note of the polarity of the LED
(I chose to use the SMD LEDs instead of the through-hole style since I hadn't ordered them)
 Cut the original led off closest to the LED dome
 Slightly bend the top of the terminal to make a surface to mount the LED Pre load the tip of the iron with solder. Using tweezers if necessary place the LED against the terminal and apply pre loaded solder
 Once complete repeat for remaining LEDsReassemble switches in reverse order and reinstall in your mustang.
Here's a collage of the end results
A couple of notes:- If I were to do it over again I would probably use a lower mcd level LED. The LEDs I used are 600mcd and 200 - 300 would probably be better especially if you have mycolor. If I didn't have mycolor I would have replaced them all and it wouldn't have been that big of a deal
- The door lock switches are difficult to remove. I actually cracked a piece that holds one tab on one of them. This was probably due to it being about 20 degrees outside when I did this. I would pull the door handle assembly and heat the areas with a hair dryer or low watt heat gun to make it easier
- Take your time. I don't have the most steady of hands but I love to solder. I usually rest my hands against something to help keep them steady
- Try to handle all circuit boards by their edges. This helps eliminate the possibility of ESD damaging the components.
- The stereo LEDs are more difficult to remove due to the fact it takes longer for the solder to flow. My soldering iron can switch from 15w - 30w and I only had to switch to 30W once or twice
NOTICE: this is from M o d u l a r f o r d s . c o m, this is not my write up.. but i know ppl on this site have asked about this very process.. so i thought it would help!
_____________________________
- 2007 5spd, Manual GT Alloy/Charcoal -
13.34 @ 107.4 w/ 2.19, 60ft. - (only my third time running) 04/16/08
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RE: "How To" - Change Interior LEDs - 3/4/2008 2:22:08 PM
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StickShifty
Posts: 3435
Joined: 5/24/2005
From: New Jersey!!!
Status: offline
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too much work.
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FOR SALE:
Bassani X pipe with high-flow cats and race pipes for 05-08- $200
Web Electrics sequential turn signals for 99-2004 mustang - $30
PM if intereste
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RE: "How To" - Change Interior LEDs - 3/4/2008 3:25:16 PM
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Stndbck
Posts: 334
Joined: 3/27/2007
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WOW-- nice idea but way too much work for me --- and my husband would look at a project like this as "worK" not a fun mod to do.
But it does look cool and I bet it looks great all together!
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Vista Blue GT LOVE IT! It's bone stock -- except for the shorty 'tenna and the polished billet plug in the power outlet. Keeping it that way too.
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RE: "How To" - Change Interior LEDs - 3/4/2008 6:40:13 PM
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odiaz
Posts: 787
Joined: 4/6/2005
From: LI, NY
Status: offline
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Awesome write up. This took a lot of effort. I like it a lot but to be honest, I don't know that I would ever do this to my car. It is way too much work. Then, what happens if I brake something. If I could get the parts form a junk yard I ight give it a try.
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My website and mods
http://www.cherod.com/mustang
How to articles:
http://www.cherod.com/mustang/HowTos.htm
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RE: "How To" - Change Interior LEDs - 3/4/2008 6:49:50 PM
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deekum1627
Posts: 1301
Joined: 12/21/2007
From: Long Island
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thats awsome but i dont know if i would try doin that
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AND GT MUFFLER WITH TIPS
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RE: "How To" - Change Interior LEDs - 3/4/2008 7:23:23 PM
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yomofoitzjay
Posts: 6153
Joined: 8/30/2006
From: Trenton NJ
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man i would pay some one to do that for me..where u locateD??
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RE: "How To" - Change Interior LEDs - 3/4/2008 7:58:32 PM
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GTstangB.F.D.M.
Posts: 1739
Joined: 4/1/2007
Status: offline
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ya i dont know that i would attempt it either to be honest.. i would be mostly scared that i would break somethig while removing the radio stuff.. but i would deffinately complete the look..
i have black face gauges, light up red, and my mycolor is red, along wiht the map lights, but if the rest of the lights where red, on black... OMG.. would be so sick..
but its alottttt of time..
maybe ill attempt it when my car is handicapped from the valve covers and intake plenum being removed.. i duno.. we'll see..
ps.. im located in Central FL.. but wouldnt even take the responsibility to get paid to do this to another stang.. wouldnt want to mess **** up
_____________________________
- 2007 5spd, Manual GT Alloy/Charcoal -
13.34 @ 107.4 w/ 2.19, 60ft. - (only my third time running) 04/16/08
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