Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics How to change Window Switch LED's

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has changed the color of the LED's in their window switches? If so how easy is it to do in my 98 Contour?

do a search theres pics and howtos from a lil while ago ull fidn the answer i dont knwo how to do it or i wudda tol u

Go here!

The tutorial isn't up. But for the most part, undo the screw with a small tipped straight screw driver, remove the cap if its there, then remove the screw with a philips screw driver. Then unsnap the plastic pieces around the switches. open them witha small tipped straight screw driver. The wires run in a Z patter, the top part of the Z is the positive end, the / part is the resistor, and the _ part o the bottom is where the LED goes (positive end, longest leg, negative side has a shaved lip on it). The negative end goes on the bottom part. Sodder them in then test. I recommend a 510 or 1a 560 ohm resistor, 1/4 watt. And I will also supply any LEDs for the best prices on the net. If you can find cheaper. I will try beat their prices. btw you want to use 3mm LEDs, and chop the little plastic pieces that hold the old 2.5mm bulb in place.

You can buy LEDs here if you would like...

http://coverstoryrock.com/auiotour/leds.html

PS here's some pictures.






yes that is blue LEDs in the top part and white in the bottom. Very hard to do, I don't suggest you do it unless you are very creative. Its not an easy thing to do. But looks amazing!

Hey that looks awesome! That's exactly what i want mine to look like. So for every LED i need to connect a resistor to it's positive end and solder it into where the old LED's were? Aprox. how many LED's and resistors will I need to do all the switches and dashboard components? Will the LED be brigher if i use the 510 ohm resistor? Thanks for your help.

They will be brighter with 510 ohm, i did 330 with mine, because each switch has two LEDs. oopps not supposed to share my secret.... Okay here is the list

Gauges aprox 20 5mm LEDs 20 440 ohm resistors
hvac, 2 5mm, 2 440 ohm resistors
foot wells 2 5mm, 2 560 ohm resistors
Glove Box 1 5mm, 1 560 ohm resistor
Master Switch 6 3mm LEDs. (remove resistor on the long side of the switches)
Unlock Switches 1 3mm LED and one 560 ohm resistor per switch. (2 switches)
Window Switches 1 3mm LED and one 560 ohm resistor per switch. (3 switches)
Sun/Moon Roof, Requires new harness or new pin to make it match a window switch. 1 3mm LED and one 560 ohm resistor per switch. (3 switches)
Defrost 1 3mm & 1 5mm, or 2 3mm LEDs 2 560 ohm resistors
Traction Control 1 3mm & 1 5mm, or 2 3mm LEDs 2 560 ohm resistors
Clock, or Contour Plate 1 5mm led, 1 560 ohm resistor
Dimmer Switch 1 5mm LED, 1 560 ohm resistor
Behind door handle lights, 1 5mm led, 1 510 ohm resistor per door (4 doors lol)
Fog Light Indicator (pre98s only) 1 or 2 5mm leds, 1 or 2 510 ohm resistors.

All resistors are 1/4watt. All 560's can be reduced to 510, and 510s reduced to 470s. If you feel you need more light!! However if you do your gauges and HVAC, I suggest White. As blue doesn't shine through to well with stock gauges, svt or non-svt. Now if you install your own custome gauges or mine. The blues work great.

Now one of the bases for the gauges can be done with a blinking LED from superbrightleds.com. I did this and installed it in the Check Engine location. David (BEOWOLF) also has this done. It looks awsome. The people at the emissions place, thought it was pretty cool also.

I was able to use the resister that is already installed in the switches without problems. I don't know what it was rated at, but I didn't have to solder in any other ones, just removed the stock LED and put in the blue one.

Been running like this for over 8 months, who knows, maybe they'll die on me

Lol, never said it wouldn't work. just won't last as long, probably only 5-6 years versus like 14.

Yea, but who here actually keeps something like that for 14 years? Guarnteed you will sell the car or want a change after a while.