Newbie here - Security LED switch to Blue
Newbie here - Security LED switch to Blue
Hello all! My first post here. Just picked up a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder SE, black in MINT condition with 88k for $6,000 from my boss. I just ordered Blue LEDs for dome/cargo/license plates. I would like to switch the security bulb to blue LED as well. It's located under the left front vent. I need help with which bulb I will need and how to remove/replace the vent housing.
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Innovazn
- Posts: 1186
- Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2010 2:55 pm
- Car: Yellow 1998 Nissan R34 Skyline RB25DET 5 MT - Current
White 2012 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5SR 6MT - Salvage (T-Boned at left turn)
White 2002 Nissan Pathfinder LE - SOLD (blew the engine) - Location: Burnaby B.C. Canada
Re: Newbie here - Security LED switch to Blue
needs to be custom, ask Qxx4 as he has done it before and there is a how to thread about it some where heres, search it upJoeygee23 wrote:Hello all! My first post here. Just picked up a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder SE, black in MINT condition with 88k for $6,000 from my boss. I just ordered Blue LEDs for dome/cargo/license plates. I would like to switch the security bulb to blue LED as well. It's located under the left front vent. I need help with which bulb I will need and how to remove/replace the vent housing.
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Pwnin Obrien
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2010 1:08 pm
- Car: 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
- Location: New Jersey
Re: Newbie here - Security LED switch to Blue
Welcome to NICO!
That's an awesome price and 2004 is a great year. Innovazn is right, Qxxx4 has posted his process for his QX4 but unfortunately is is quite different for the 2004 Pathfinder. I have also changed out my red security LED with a blue one. To remove the vent and security LED you just have to pull on it at the bottom of the front trim piece, it's all held in the dash with some metal spring clips. Once you pull it out it's pretty self-explanatory. You will unscrew the PCB board with the LED on it and you will just have to unsolder the old LED and put the new one on. Since you are changing colors you will need to modify the resistor value so you don't blow out the LED, I'm not sure of the new resistor value, you can google 'LED resistor calculator' to find the new resistor value. The new LED should be a 3mm LED to fit through the hole but you can also use a 5mm and butt it up against the hole and aim it (that's what I did); this way you can use a brighter LED if you want.
That's pretty much it without going into extreme detail. If you have any questions feel free to ask!
EDIT: Also, if you want to go over Qxxx4's tutorial you can check it out by clicking the top sticky thread (Pathfinder / QX4 How-To's) and then scrolling down to the Modifications section and it's the second one down.
That's an awesome price and 2004 is a great year. Innovazn is right, Qxxx4 has posted his process for his QX4 but unfortunately is is quite different for the 2004 Pathfinder. I have also changed out my red security LED with a blue one. To remove the vent and security LED you just have to pull on it at the bottom of the front trim piece, it's all held in the dash with some metal spring clips. Once you pull it out it's pretty self-explanatory. You will unscrew the PCB board with the LED on it and you will just have to unsolder the old LED and put the new one on. Since you are changing colors you will need to modify the resistor value so you don't blow out the LED, I'm not sure of the new resistor value, you can google 'LED resistor calculator' to find the new resistor value. The new LED should be a 3mm LED to fit through the hole but you can also use a 5mm and butt it up against the hole and aim it (that's what I did); this way you can use a brighter LED if you want.
That's pretty much it without going into extreme detail. If you have any questions feel free to ask!
EDIT: Also, if you want to go over Qxxx4's tutorial you can check it out by clicking the top sticky thread (Pathfinder / QX4 How-To's) and then scrolling down to the Modifications section and it's the second one down.
Re: Newbie here - Security LED switch to Blue
This mod is pretty easy as everyone says I'm a noob to and i managed to do this mod without messing anything up and it looks sick
Re: Newbie here - Security LED switch to Blue
Gentlemen thanks!
Ryman where did you get parts? What resistance did you use?
Ryman where did you get parts? What resistance did you use?
Re: Newbie here - Security LED switch to Blue
Ryman & Pwnin I foresee no proble with r/r and solder, it's just electronics shop in high school was 20 years ago! LOL i could use a little help figuring out what resistance value and where the hell to buy 5mm blue led. Appreciate the help!
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Pwnin Obrien
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2010 1:08 pm
- Car: 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
- Location: New Jersey
Re: Newbie here - Security LED switch to Blue
Radio Shack sells some decent brightness blue LED's, I think you can pick up a 5mm for a few dollars. The resistance you need really depends on the LED (more specifically, the wavelength), Radio Shack used to display the specs for their LED's online but do not anymore. First you need to find out the value of the factory resistor on the security LED board using a multimeter. I would then call your local Radio Shack and ask them for the specs for the blue LED from the packaging (you need the drop voltage and the typical current). Then with those numbers you can figure out what resistance you would need and you can pick up the LED and the resistor at the same time. If you need help figuring out what resistance you need you can post up the LED specs and the factory resistor value and I can help you with the numbers.
You're probably thinking "this is pretty ridiculous, do I really need to do all of this?" Well, no, you don't absolutely have to. If you didn't use the right resistance you would likely overpower the LED and the LED would only last a few months. When I first did this mod I decided not to use the proper resistance because I was lazy and just didn't want to solder in a new resistor. My LED was REALLY bright but it only lasted about 6 months then it died. It didn't really matter because I had installed an aftermarket alarm that had its own blinking LED so I actually was going to disable the factory security LED anyhow. So you really should go through all this work so that the LED will last the life of the vehicle.
You're probably thinking "this is pretty ridiculous, do I really need to do all of this?" Well, no, you don't absolutely have to. If you didn't use the right resistance you would likely overpower the LED and the LED would only last a few months. When I first did this mod I decided not to use the proper resistance because I was lazy and just didn't want to solder in a new resistor. My LED was REALLY bright but it only lasted about 6 months then it died. It didn't really matter because I had installed an aftermarket alarm that had its own blinking LED so I actually was going to disable the factory security LED anyhow. So you really should go through all this work so that the LED will last the life of the vehicle.
Re: Newbie here - Security LED switch to Blue
^^^^pwnin is the man