View source for LED door handles

[[Image:Ledmod1806.jpg|thumb|right|250px|LED illuminated door handles]]
[[Image:Ledmod1388.jpg|thumb|right|250px|fig.2]]
[[Image:Ledmod1389.jpg|thumb|right|250px|fig.3]]
[[Image:Ledmod1335.jpg|thumb|right|250px|fig.4]]
[[Image:Ledmod1336.jpg|thumb|right|250px|fig.5]]
=Illuminated door handles=


I've fitted leds into the door handles, connected to the courtesy lights in the doors so
they light up when the car is unlocked.<br>


==Method==

I used 3mm 12v leds from Maplins (39p each, red amber or green).  Drilled holes in
the plastic (mark and drill from the back), fitted the leds and held them in place with
a dab of hot glue.  Soldered them together then used more hot glue to encapsulate it
all.

See fig.s 2 & 3


* To remove the door handles you start by [[Gen6_door_card|removing the door
cards]].<br>
* Now carefully peel back the waterproof membrane starting at the outer edge. Don't just rip it off, you will need to put this back later as it stops the water that runs down the window, and therefore the inside of the door, from damaging the back of the doorcard.<br>
* Remove the metal shield (2 screws)(A in fig.4)
* Disconnect the link rod (B in fig.4)
* Remove the plastic shield (1 screw, 1 black push in stud, and the blue stud just pulls out)(C in fig.4)
* Disconnect the 2 link rods from the door handle (D & E in fig.5)
* There are now 2 bolts holding the handle to the door, a 10mm socket and an extension will take care of them.

* With the door handles removed you can fit the LEDs and attach a lead to power them.

* Be careful to route the lead away from the moving parts of the handle and lock rods and the window mechanism. I passed it between the side impact bar and the door skin.

* Bring the lead through the grommit with the door courtesy light wires and join them near the plug. Remember that water gets into the door when it rains so everything between the skin and the waterproof membrane needs to be waterproof.

* It’s worth testing it at this point, before you put everything back, as with LEDs you have to get the polarity right and you don’t want to have to pull it all apart again.

* When you put it all back together make sure you get the waterproof membrane stuck in position correctly or the backs of the doorcards will get wet and rot.















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--[[User:Silver gt|Silver gt]] 19:24, 27 August 2008 (BST)