LED install for the SES light...need help

**Fury_786** · 11-01-2009, 08:14 PM

So i pulled the cluster apart...soldered in an LED and resistor...but it didnt work

turning the key on produced nothing, but it would light for a split second when i was turning the key off.

im lost and i hate wiring and soldering and little things!

anyone have any ideas?

**justinmc978** · 11-01-2009, 08:35 PM

why are you doing this? can you not see when it comes on or..?

**Fury_786** · 11-01-2009, 08:38 PM

i want it blue...i hate it orange

**Smittro** · 11-01-2009, 08:41 PM

You did solder it correctly right? Meaning LED's have a (+) side and a (-) side and will only let current flow in one direction.. If they are hooked up backwards they will not light up..

**Fury_786** · 11-01-2009, 08:43 PM

i dont know how to tell the polarity on the cluster...so no, im not sure if its right or not.

been a long time since i took this class in college and i dont remember much.

also, does it matter what side of the LED the resistor is on?

**99ss** · 11-01-2009, 08:43 PM

how much of a pain was it an you got any pictures of it

**Smittro** · 11-01-2009, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by Fury_786

i dont know how to tell the polarity on the cluster...so no, im not sure if its right or not.

been a long time since i took this class in college and i dont remember much.

also, does it matter what side of the LED the resistor is on?

Resistor needs to be on the (+) side (incoming current). The positive side is usually denoted by one of the leads on the Light Emitting Diode being longer than the other.

Test cluster for polarity with a volt meter.

**Fury_786** · 11-01-2009, 08:51 PM

Test cluster for polarity with a volt meter.

only problem is...i cant get to the back side of it when its in the car

**Fury_786** · 11-01-2009, 08:53 PM

pictures:

**Smittro** · 11-01-2009, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by Fury_786

only problem is...i cant get to the back side of it when its in the car

LOL well looks like you'll be pulling it out then..

**Smittro** · 11-01-2009, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Fury_786

pictures:

I hate to be the barer of bad news but it looks like you've damaged the areas where the solder needs to stick. That possibly may never work again.

**Fury_786** · 11-01-2009, 09:03 PM

I hate to be the barer of bad news but it looks like you've damaged the areas where the solder needs to stick. That possibly may never work again.

thats what i was worried about...it seems to just be the flux though, maybe im wrong. im gonna play with it some more and see what damage i can do...i guess if all else fails, ill just buy another cluster

**Smittro** · 11-01-2009, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Fury_786

thats what i was worried about...it seems to just be the flux though, maybe im wrong. im gonna play with it some more and see what damage i can do...i guess if all else fails, ill just buy another cluster

Hey if you post up a better pic of the entire back side you have shown I can maybe trace it and let you know which side is the grounded side.

**Fury_786** · 11-01-2009, 09:07 PM

one min

**Smittro** · 11-01-2009, 09:10 PM

I B here

**Fury_786** · 11-01-2009, 09:17 PM

this is as good as my camera gets (sony cybershot T70...8.1mp i think)

**Smittro** · 11-01-2009, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by Fury_786

this is as good as my camera gets (sony cybershot T70...8.1mp i think)

Cool give me a few to trace it.

**Fury_786** · 11-01-2009, 09:21 PM

B here i will

**Smittro** · 11-01-2009, 09:28 PM

Here ya go..

**Fury_786** · 11-01-2009, 09:32 PM

friggin sweet!

i think i had it backwards...gonna start over tomorrow.

see if i can get it to work or not...im gonna buy another cluster anyhow, so this will be my experiment.