i think im going to use 1100mcd white. 3.6v and 20mA

Here's a useful calculator to find the resistor value i would need. (470ohm)

LED calculator for single LEDs

wire up the resistor in series to the anode (+) which is the longer wire.

Light-emitting diode - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

bought my white LED today at radioshack

PN: 276-320 $5.49

im going to file off the rounded tip of the LED to make the dispersion
angle wider. will give it a shot tonight.

 

kenchan, Post pictures when you get yours done.

 

i got mine done, but couldn't get good picts cause my camera sucks...

the 1300 mcd was still too bright so i put on a 20% tint film on the
inside of the switch. it's a tad lighter than the power window backlight
on the door, but close enough.

which means... you need to use about 200mcd LED. white or light
green would work since the door switches are lit greenish.

thanks again, kndlewis.

atleast now i can find my mirror switch after the carwash guys screw up
my mirror settings. i have 4 different cars so i keep forgetting where
all the sw were.

 

I wonder if I can change the door switches to blue?
I have noticed lately that the door switches lighting doesn't match with the lighting on the hvac controls under the radio.
Might as well have them match with the mirror light, right?

 

Yes, you can change the lighted door switches to blue. When you take apart the switches you will see an LED in a holder soldered to the ckt board. Should be quite simple.

 

Which I believe dont even match the periphery illumination on the buttons and dials on the radio! another Picaso moment For the Fit! HAhahaaaa
but atleast the HVAC matches the cupholder lights...cuz that's where I draw the line .

 

Nice writeup, thanks.

But do you know if there's a contact on the board that is a switched + so the LED can go on with the rest of the interior lights, and possibly dim together?

Thanks.

 

nice mod!!!!

 

There is not a lighting pin, only the power. For what it's worth, the door switches are on all the time. The illumination level is low enough that you only really notice when it's dark out. But they don't dim with the dash, either.

 

Great DIY! I want to do this! The LED wiring diagrams at Oznium show the resistor attached to the negative lead of the LED. Am I missing something?

 

I hooked the resistor to the negative lead, but it really doesn't matter. The resistor provides the voltage drop to the LED. Whether the resistor is on the positive side or the negative side, the LED will have the same relative voltage to operate. Just pay attention to the polarity of the LED. It will only work one way.