Here's a nice little guide to do on a rainy afternoon.
In this guide we show you how to ADD illumination colour in the Boot Popper Switch in the centre consol.
Tools Needed:
Soldering iron and stand,
Solder,
Helping hand or crocodile clips.
Small flat bladed screwdrivers
470ohm resistors (Maplin.co.uk code: M470R)
Blue 3mm 5Volt LED's (Maplin.co.uk code: N31BY)
Red 3mm 12Volt LED's (Maplin.co.uk code WL32)
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Let there be light!
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Bit of Blue
Goooo Onnnn!
Applies to:
Mk3.5 Boot Popper Switch in centre consol
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First off remove the two coin trays and pull up the gear gaiter as it
aids the removal of the switch from the centre consol.
With the trays and gaiter removed you have access to the underside of the switch.
Using your hand compress the spring retention catches on the top and bottom
edges of the switch and push the switch upwards free from the consol.
Unclip the multi-plug and take the switch to your workstation.
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Using a small screwdriver push the blade down the notches on the back edge and pull
the base free from the case. At this point the white plastic square may come free
from the contacts and remain inside the case, if so don't worry, or it may still be
attached to the contacts.
If the white section is still attached to the case, then you will need to prise
it free from the push button (the part with the picture of the car on) using a
small screwdriver.
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Reassemble the white part to the contact section if they have separated.
You will notice there are three pins or contacts showing through the white section,
these are where the LED's go.
Notice that two are inline with the two contact pins in the base, these are the
positive and the earth for the illumination circuit.
Positive being pin four (4)
Earth being pin three (3)
The third internal pin is rather special, as it becomes positive when the
button is pressed. As it is connected to pin two (2).
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To illuminate this switch you will need to solder the resistor to the
positive pin (4) then solder the illumination LED positive leg to the resistor
and the negative leg to Pin (3) the earth. Ensure that you position the LED central
to the white square.
Now for the unmarked pin. Solder the positive leg if 12volt (otherwise use a
resistor) of the alternate LED to the unmarked pin and the negative leg to pin (3)
the earth pin.
This means that when the button is pressed it will illuminate a different colour,
but will only do so when the ignition is off. It may also be possible for a small
buzzer to be mounted within the switch to indicate that it has been pressed,
but as of yet I have not found such buzzer small enough to fit.
This guide will be updated if I ever do.
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Now here comes the fun bit, you will notice on the plug for the switch there are
no illumination connectors or wires as it was not intended to be illuminated,
so you will have to add some, this is quite a simple task.
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You will need the contacts and a length of wire from another switch,
I used the wires and contacts from a spare heated rear window switch connector
that I cut from another loom.
You require the grey wire with the yellow stripe and the brown with the small
connecters attached.
Open the connector up and using a small screwdriver from the front, poke down
the sides of the pins to release the barbs and gently push the connector free.
Repeat this for the earth one as well. Make sure that you re-open the barbs
to enable them to grip again.
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You will now be required to either remove the loom from behind the radio to gain
access to the required loom section.
Cut two different coloured cables the correct length from the connector block
to the area of loom that you will tap into the loom. It is essential that
that you tap into the central locking/electric window loom as it reduces
the amount of cable mess behind the dashboard.
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Solder the two connector sections to the new wire and insulate correctly,
Open up the connector block and Insert these connectors into it ensuring that
the grey/yellow wire is in pin fours (4) location.
Push these two wires up into the protective foam sleeve through and out the
other end, wrapping insulation tape to secure at the connector.
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Disconnect the battery!
You don't want to be electrocuted or worse still set fire to your car do you?
Now the tricky bit. Identify the grey/yellow and the thick brown wires within
the central locking/ electric windows loom and solder the grey/yellow wire to the
grey/yellow wire within the loom and insulate, then the brown to the thick brown
again in the loom. Ensure all is insulated and re-tape the loom to look factory again.
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Put the loom back in the correct place ensuring it is secured correctly.
Plug in the switch and reconnect the battery.
If you turn on your sidelights it should illuminate.
If the ignition is on and it is pressed nothing will happen but if the ignition
is switched off and the button is pressed then the button will light up a different
colour or make a sound if buzzer is fitted and open the boot as normal.
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That's the end of this little guide, simple yet effective.
See also the guide for changing the colour of the electric window switches and
the dash control switches.
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Hope this guide is of some help.
Guide Written and © On 30 May 2005 by Andrew Whiteman (AW3K)
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