door reflector leds
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 21
From: centennial colorado
door reflector leds
I have a bunch of leftover leds so I figured out how to lite up the door reflectors today. I marked and drilled 7/64 holes and mounted 3mm red leds in the backside of the reflectors
note the + to- pattern to wire them is series[no resistors]Be sure you have them in proper position before you press them into the plastic. They are very tight and WILL NOT come out.Soldered in series 
I thought I would just wire it into the door switches but figured out they would be on any time the door buttons were lit. I fished the wires up to the switch with a coat hanger but will need to pull the doorpanel to fish it through the door into the led footwell lighting, no problem,,
note the + to- pattern to wire them is series[no resistors]Be sure you have them in proper position before you press them into the plastic. They are very tight and WILL NOT come out.Soldered in series I thought I would just wire it into the door switches but figured out they would be on any time the door buttons were lit. I fished the wires up to the switch with a coat hanger but will need to pull the doorpanel to fish it through the door into the led footwell lighting, no problem,,
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 21
From: centennial colorado
finishish door leds
This shows how to fish the wires.
This is how it looks, 1st copy, 2nd will be better!! 
Final look. I wasnt sure I would like this mod but in the end I like it!! Ended up with 7 leds,Must have been the public education!!At 2.3 volts each, I should have only had 6 for a total of 13.8. So they are probably a little dimmer than 6 would be.
This is how it looks, 1st copy, 2nd will be better!! Final look. I wasnt sure I would like this mod but in the end I like it!! Ended up with 7 leds,Must have been the public education!!At 2.3 volts each, I should have only had 6 for a total of 13.8. So they are probably a little dimmer than 6 would be.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 21
From: centennial colorado
Hey Jim 
I ordered a couple of spot leds from plamaleds and also some of their brighter bare leds.Hoping to brighten up my door switches with the bare leds. Any chance to install your spot leds??Just curious to see how they worked.Thanks
I ordered a couple of spot leds from plamaleds and also some of their brighter bare leds.Hoping to brighten up my door switches with the bare leds. Any chance to install your spot leds??Just curious to see how they worked.Thanks
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Pretty 
mod. Nice work there. 
mod. Nice work there.
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Great job!!! Always wondered if someone would
pioneer those for better use.Way to go,Tom
Always wondered if someone wouldpioneer those for better use.Way to go,Tom
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 21
From: centennial colorado
Thanks for all the comments! It looks like this is a mod only us RED guys can enjoy. But maybe if blue leds were mounted it would be purple?? Hmmmmmm.....Dont be surprised!!!
It looks like this is a mod only us RED guys can enjoy. But maybe if blue leds were mounted it would be purple?? Hmmmmmm.....Dont be surprised!!!
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I've often wondered about trying to light that reflector. Now I know how. I wonder where the courtesy light circuit runs. That way it would only be on when the door opened.
Thanks for posting. Great write up
Thanks for posting. Great write up
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Lufkin Texas
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 930
Likes: 3
From: Lawrenceville GA
Looks good! I want to do the led mod for my interior, but I would use blue (02 EB Z06, and my radio has blue leds) and I don't think that would work too good for the door. Guess I could still use red there.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 21
From: centennial colorado
It sounds like I might be seeing some pics of other people's door reflector mods here soon!
Just remember to make sure they are all in position and working before you seat them all the way in. I ruined a couple trying to get them out. A 1/8 drill bit is too big, a 7/64 is real tight.Take your pick.Happy Modifying!!
Just remember to make sure they are all in position and working before you seat them all the way in. I ruined a couple trying to get them out. A 1/8 drill bit is too big, a 7/64 is real tight.Take your pick.Happy Modifying!!