Illuminated door handles (ambient light)

[1-8Tabamoura]

So we got together today to do the iluminated handles .
My guinea pig = Ryan AKA Curry  well not really a guinea pig cause i have done this mod to my car before.


Moderators can add this to the info forum if they consider it as a good write up.
All speling errors can be fixed by the moderators  if they  wish to.
Thank you Ryan and Greg for the help.



So Here it is

Iluminated door handles  ( how to do it)


* Disclaimer
Do this mod at your own risk . I'm not responsable for any damage caused to the electric system or any other part of your car.
Please read this instructions carefully and post any question you have about the mod.
Wiriing on your car may be slightly different


Parts :

Pre wired for 12 V LED from autozone ( matches the  OEM red perfectly )
PN: LI001R   ( you need 2 pkg to to all 4 handlles ) as they come in pkg of 3.   =   $9.99 each pkg

another option  from LEDS from Radio Shack ( by Indigoblue) and Phil from Winnipeg -Canada

5mm Blue LED 5 Volt, 30mA, 300mcd, 430nm part number from RadioShack 276-311
470-Ohm Resistors 1/4watt, 5% tolerance, part number from RadioShack 271-1317

solder the  resistor onto the positive lead of the LED...the longer end. Then solder 2 lengths of wire onto the LED, one from the shorter end, and the other from the end with the resistor.




Tools

- Soldering iron
- Solder
- #20 torx bit
-  Philips screw driver
- 2 flat head screw drivers
- 15/64 drill but
- 1/8 drill bit
- Electrical tape.

Time : 3 to 4 hours ( doing  it carefully )

Some soldering skills is necessary as we are going to tap into some wiring.


Removing the door cover

Remove the 2 torx screws from the bottom of the door.





Now pry  this part of the arm rest  with  a screw driver.



Also pry the arm rest from this side



Remove these 3 philips screws




Now pry the door open starting from the bottom up.

Disconnect all conectors from the door panel .

Disconect the wire for the handle by pulling it back and and unhooking it.



The passenger doors have the screws on the handle itself

You might need two screw driver to remove this handle cover.



Now remove the 2 philips screws

Repeat the process for the rear doors if you want to do the mod to the rears.

the only difference between the front passenger and the rear doors is that the rear ones have just 1 torx screw at the bottom of the panel.




Removing the handles. from the panel

Remove the philips screw( and the mirror switch if you are doing the driver side.)






Driver side only



Now using a screw driver unlock the tabs and press on the oposite side of the screw..






R32  handles swap


 "This is where you'd swap your handles  if you want to do the R32 handles mod as well.

Drilling the holes

Now mark where you are going to drill the holes
Is important to drill the hole half inch alway from the outside part of it or you are not going to be able to mount the led when putting the door back together.
Also put something inside the handle ( between the top and bottom) to you dont  hit the top of it with the drill  . a little flat  piece of metal or plastice should work



Ahh you have to drill the on hole on the bottom or you will get to see the LED and not just the glow of it.
the holes on Currys were made in these  postions .
Make sure you are driiling the bottom of the handle  not the top






Now drill the holes . start with the smaller bit and use the 15/64 bit to finish the hole , be very carefull or you can screw up the handles.
you can use an itermediary bit between the 1/8 and the 15/64 if you wish.


Retrofitting the LED's to the handle

Now insert the led housing ( comes with the LED)  into the hole it should snap on place pretty tight . it should look like this.







Re install the door handles into the door panel..

Cut the exces of wire for the LEDs the drivers door should be longer.

10 inches of wire for the passenger door.
17 inches for the drivers side.


Soldering

Now you go back to your car and using the soldering iron sold the LED's to the wiring


Driver's door.  ( harness for the windows/door locks)
Make sure the wire for the LED is longer for this door .
Wrap the two wires individually with electrical tape.

 

Passenger's door


 

 

Putting everything back together.

Now all you have to do is insert the LED from the bottom untill it locks in place.

Re assemble the door pay attention to all conectors and especially the cable ( wire ) that opens the door.


If you dont screw up anything you will probably end up with something like this .








Enjoy the mod

[Irish]

NICE... I am still trying to figure out how to change all my interior lights (dome/reading) to LED's

[Matt]

so do they stay on all the time or do they come on when you turn your lights on?

[MecInsulator]

Irish http://www.ledcreations.com/index.asp sells Led Light Kits for our cars.  It is where i got the blue leds for my car.

[red]

hi could you put the pictures or send me an e-mail wiht the procedure

mauricio_rodriguez1969@yahoo.com.mx

Illuminated door handles

[noR]

Yeah, not very informative now that he's moved the photos to another server....

[elitedübs]

I'll look into tracking him down to see where his pics are.

[1-8Tabamoura]

Sorry guys for the pics being down , I dumped verizon and did't realize I had pictures in that storage space , any questions , you can find me at b5one.com  or by email tabamoura+++++++yahoo.com   ( replace the ++++++with @)