It was a sunny afternoon and I was booooored! So I decided that it's time to finally do something with that green illumination. I first started with the windows switches, then the main light switch and finally I had one LED left so I took apart the rear window heater switch (which proved to be a pain in the a**!).

The switches:

Switches meets screwdrivers

How it used to be - direct comparison - how it is

Let there be light! Blue light, that is

You can change the illumination on all switches simply by replacing the LEDs (resistors are already there). However, take care when changing the LEDs on the switches above the headunit because the original LEDs work off 12V directly (!!) and you need to add a 1K resistor in series with new LEDs so they don't blow up! This happened to me -> a nice smelly gray smoke coming out from the switch :eek: I used a total of 14 LEDs (blue, 3mm, 60mcd) and one red LED. This number can vary depending on the number of additional switches.

Next project is to change the dashboard illumination (and ac/heater controls as well) but for that I'll need SMD LEDs. I'll post pics as soon as I finish it.

Next project is to change the dashboard illumination (and ac/heater controls as well) but for that I'll need SMD LEDs. I'll post pics as soon as I finish it.

Thats when the fun will really start

Thats when the fun will really start

Or madness, depends how you look at it

Wow! Looks excellent, really nice, top job

Or madness, depends how you look at it

:iagree:, it'll look well though when finished. Best of luck with the rest of it .

Does look very nice.

Where did you get the LED's Maplins or RS or something?

Does look very nice.

Where did you get the LED's Maplins or RS or something?

I got it from a croatian electronics store

They are from Kingbright, code L934MBTL

I have thought about doing this... Red LED's for the switches and Blue LED's for the clock illumination (aka VW lol), but I haven't a clue how to remove the clocks, so I've left it for now!

If you could do a quick "How To" when you get round to doing the clocks, then I'll definately give this a shot over the summer!

Clocks came out easy - dunno about getting into them though.

Above the steering column there is a flat piece of plastic, this pulls off and reveals two screws that hold the clocks in. A bit of jiggleing and out they come if I remember correctly.

Ooh!

I might have to have a play when the weather gets better!

Can't have two tone guys it has to be all blue!

Would be great to source LEDs with built-in resistors though like the original ones, which would make life a lot easier

Most of the switches already have resistors. Exceptions are those found above headunit.