For those who are thinking of replacing the RED LED that is next to the drivers door lock for the factory security system I wanted to share some information.

I have seena couple threads that mention this mod, and they are correct that you do not need to remove the door panel.

They are also correct that you can use a 3.7V 2600 mcds Blue LED from Radio shack

What they failed to mention is that you need to replace the resistor that is on the borad with the LED. RED LED's require MUCH lower voltage than blue LED's. The resistor that you need for the Blue LED I mention above is the YELLOW - VIOLET - BROWN resistor. (you should be able to get this at Radio Shack as well)

Just wanted to share this tidbit so that everyone can use their Blue LED's for a long happy time:-)

 

actualy no you do not need to replace the resistor. i've been using an Ebay blue LED thats rated at 5000 mcd's and 3.2-3.8 volts for 2 years, and there are no issues at all.

 

Does anyone have a thread link for this DIY?

 

Found them! Nevermind.

 

Same here...

 

I was not aware of the difference in voltage differences for Red and Blue, thanks for that. I guess the voltage is above Blue's minimum requirement and below Red's maximum limit. However I too can vouch the BLUE LEDs work just fine in this case and White ones will work too.

 

Lovin this mod too - I just did mine today.......

I didn't have to take the panel completely off - but it does have to be unscrewed and unclipped so you can get at the wire harness and clip inside the door panel.

 

I also cut half an inch off my door lock at the same time. Someone else had a post about it.

I drive with my arm on the door when the weather is nice & HATED the door lock as it is placed right where I would have my arm in the old car. That is why I cut the lock so that it only sticks out of the door a little when locked & allows me to rest my arm anywhere on the door without getting poked by it.

 

I use the arm rest for that .....LOL But I her ya - I have noticed that happening to me once in a while. I tought about cutting it but was happy enough that I was able to get the light installed.

 

Rockyfeller has a thread about it:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ight=door+lock

 

Good idea Dunno why I never thought of that ... did you shorten any of the other locks so that they'd be even or did you just do that to the front driver's side door?


I'm gonna have to order an LED, too... haha... two good ideas in one thread

 

Kennedy has a few left for sale too..........3 or 4 of them I think.
Get um before they are gone !!!

I have one from him top quality !!

 

I just did the driver door. screw the passengers:-)

FYI - I did NOT make mine as short as in the thread listed above. I can easily pull mine up with my hand. it does NOT need to be flush with the security panel due to the slope of the door. mine stick up about 1/4", but it does not touch my arm when locked.

 

+1 (although I haven't installed mine yet from him becuz of the weather)

 

What's up guys... Glad you liked the mod.
Darksom, put ona jacket and go get that thing installed. Steve had never had his door apart either, but he got his in 20 minutes... In my best Rob Schneider, "You can do eet..."

For anyone else interested, I still have a few of these left for $30 delivered:
https://acurazine.com/forums/car-parts-sale-361/fs-pnp-3g-tl-blue-led-mod-security-button-358906/

 

It's really easy Darksom1.........4 screws loosen the panel..........pop a couple of clips to access the side where the button is.........pull it bak a little (enough to see the harness..........unplug & remove - install and plug..............

Super easy - my first time taking the panel off

 

LOL@Kennedy's Rob impersonation!!!

I will do this tomorrow morning before I go to work. I actually was putting it off also until I got me a dremel, but I have one now!

I CAN DO THISSSS!!!!!

 

You'll be glad you did.........lol

What's the dremel got to do with it>? Are you cutting down the lock too?

 

Oh yeah, sorry for the confusion. I'm going to do the door lock mod since I'm gonna have the panel off. But I want to leave enough where I can use a fingernail or sum'n to get the lock up in the event of electrical failure or an emergency. So it won't be flush when I do it, (panel slopes anyway) but it won't bother my arm either.

 

I thought of that too, just for aesthetics, but overall I think it's unecessary. All the work to remove the door panels...If you ever need to install moleskin or some door speakers you might want to look into it then...

 

^^ yeah, that's true... I guess I'll see how much work the 1st one is... if the work isn't too bad, I might do it

 

bump

 

why would you wanna do this pointless mod anyway lol aren't security lights supposed to be red to inform robbers that there is a security system installed in the car? idk

 

and a flashing BLUE (instead of red) led indicates theres no security system and thieves should break in?

The blue matches the interior blue ambient leds.

Have you done any pointless mods lately... Like A-spec body kits, type s tails, or heavier 19" rims. They're all pointless, and in most cases, actually reduce performance... but lots of folks sure like to do them.

 

Kennedy, I disagree with you on that one, I think these are the most pointless mods:

2005 Acura TL NBP Ebony 5AT w/navi
A-Spec Front Lip Only
20% all-around
TL-S Decklid Spoiler
Blue LED's 9bulb interior lighting
'07 TL-S tail light upgrade
Front chrome grill trim
Acura Front Bumper Inserts

Tell me which of these are not pointless?

(they are from Bforbrian's signature)

 

 

HAHA
but to go through all that for a blinking blue light? lol
people can at least see my modifications
you have to walk up to the window and notice a tiny blue blinking bulb

2005 Anthracite Metallic
Cleared headlights
custom lower fog lights
Window roll-up module
shaved door lock mod (exterior)
"chopped" door lock (interior)
2007 TL-S Tail lights
2007 TL-S side marker lights
2007 TL-S Switchblade key
2007 TL-S spoiler
Cold Air Induction
Lighted door sills
PIAA reverse lights
Debadged
Color matched plate mount <--lol are you seroius
Color matched splash guards
Carbon Fiber Blackwood shifter
Tinted Windows all around
Navi, splash, & trip computer hacks

speak for yourself !

 

Ahhh... "but the devil is in the details"...
Once you've got all the big mods you refer to in your signature (done all that last year), you have to focus on new and different stuff to mod... like this.

Or alternatively... this is a great mod for brokeasses... as it cost $5-30 depending on your skill level.

 

ha is that so
i'd rather switch the carbon fiber shift knob or something lol
but cmon a blue blinking light? lollllll

 

[QUOTE=Kennedy]Ahhh... "but the devil is in the details"...
Once you've got all the big mods you refer to in your signature (done all that last year), you have to focus on new and different stuff to mod... like this.
QUOTE]

when i got rid of my 05tl for the type s i traded my blue passport 8500 for a red one. it is crazy what we will do for "the details"

 

I agree with Kennedy, it's those subtle unique mods that enthusiasts will appreciate. They're not pointless and are in good taste. I can see he's into modding lights like me. Not everyone will notice but does it matter?

Who cares about showing off to dimwits who don't know anything about cars. Only 22" bling rims and F-22 wing spoilers will impress them. Those are the guys doing pointless mods to turn heads but they don't realize everyone is dissing their car.

Yeah I'm broke too, makin cheap mods look expensive! If I had time I'd change even that red LED on the head-unit and make sure everything matched the cool blue.

 

Heard that, I'm just too lazy to pull the head unit again.

 

I have a Comptech short shifter, paired with shifter bushings, Specialty formulations tranny fluid, and a Skunk2 weighted shift knob (with hand painted blue by me shift pattern to match) to improve shift throw. I've already done my "shifter mods". Men drive sticks BTW...

From an interior mod perspecitve, I have parchment interior... I've gone as far as to remove the fake wood trim, bought the carbon fiber trim from ebony cars and replaced it. I'm planning to repalce a few more strategic pieces with black to give a cool 2 tone. Add aspec steering wheel, Supercomputers pedals, and serious AV upgrades, to include avelectronic switcher with TV Tuner, DVD, PS2 Ipod, backup camera and you can see some serious "pointless" work has gone into this...





https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ighlight=plood





I've aslo upgraded all the speakers with Infinity's, and have a JL 8" sub and amp to replace as soon as it warms up.





https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...light=infinity

Add to that, illuminated blue door sills, and a few other details... all of which are purelt aestetic mods... Like your carbon fiber shift knob.
My point is, I've done my share of pointless mods... and the blue led is one of the minor ones... and I haven't started show and tell on the exterior stuff.

 

Let's give credit where credit is due............

Kennedy did a nice thing........He stuck his neck out and purchased a few extra buttons for those of us that wanted to convert the red to blue. I for one don't really do soldering and without his efforts and generosity would not have been able to do this one.

Is it a "pointless mod" ??? Not to all.........I like it !!! I know it's there and that's all that is important......

 

Not a pointless mod for sure! But maybe a pointless purchase if I don't ever get around to installing it! Between wind, snow, and my own procrastination, it's still on the shelf!

 

LOL........ I hear ya - last weekend it was 55 - today we had a high of 8 !!!!

Some kinda arctic blast - man I can't wait till this cold shit is over!!!

 

Yeah, it snowed again here today (but not as much - just enough to make a couple people flip over on the way home on the commute). Hopefully it's better tomorrow!

 

Man I can't wait until spring.......

 

So I guess you want to stay away from green LEDs, because you don't want to give someone a green-light to break-and-enter!

Seriously, I'd tend to agree with the sentiment of this note. Even though rationally, a thief ought to realize a blue LED means the same thing as a red one, it might not get the message across as quickly. Kind of like if you saw a blue stop sign and it took you a half-second longer to react.

 

I don't agree with this rationalization. I think that a thief that sees a blinking light in a vehicle automatically assumes it's a theft deterrent. Like there are many (including my Legend alarm and my gf alarm LED) auto alarm LEDs that blink blue instead of red. Blue LEDs are hot to me, and the radar detectors are coming in blue LEDs (BEL for ex. costs more in blue) as an alternative now as well. Red is just the normal standard, but a blinking blue says back the hell up just as easy! (and looks better doing it! IMO)