HOW TO : LED turn signals in side mirrors

**tmaxx411** · 06-05-2014, 01:24 PM

You will need :
10mm socket
ratchet
extension
phillips head screwdriver
flat head screwdriver
heat gun/blowdryer
superglue
24-28 gauge wire
wire connectors or soldering iron/solder/heatshrink
LED arrays

LED arrays can be found on ebay.

7 SMD LED Arrow Panels for Car Side Mirror Turn Signal Indicator Light Yellow | eBay

they are cheap, they work, but they take FOREVER to ship. (coming from china)

How to modify your power mirrors to add a LED turn arrow

1. tilt mirror glass all the way up
2. remove mirrors from the car (2 bolts, real simple)
3. take a flashlight and peek under at the back of the mirror glass, you should see 2 slots. Put a flat head screwdriver in there and twist, releasing the glass. If your mirrors are heated, disconnect the heater plug (just pull)
4. heat up the mirror/surround plastic with the heat gun. The more heat, the better. Heat it slowly though. You dont want to crack the mirror glass. The plastic will start to get shiny, that means it is very close to melting, and also the temperature you want it to be to remove the glass without damage.
5. Carefully pry up the glass with a scraper or the like, if you arent careful, you can scratch the glass on this step
6. if you have heated mirrors, you should see the heater grid on the back of the glass. It is broken into 1/3rds, you want to heat the outer third, and pull it up. Then take scissors and cut it off. (it will still work.)
7. clean the back of the mirror with windex or the like, make sure all adhesive is gone.
8. Take the LED arrays you bought, and hook them up to power. (if they dont power on, reverse the wires and try again) place them behind the mirror and find where you would like them to sit.
9. Take superglue, and put a drop on each individual LED, and stick it to the back of the mirror. You will have a few moments to adjust it then press it firmly in place to make sure it doesnt move.
10. Now you need to modify the black housing to accept the LED array. I used a dremel with a grinding stone, and took it off little by little. You dont need to hollow it out completely. You just need to remove the raised portions.
11. Once you get clearance for the LED array, run the wires through the hole in the center, and put the mirror back in. you might need heat to put it back in, or you might not. I personally didnt. It just snapped back in.
12. connect longer wires to the LED array
13. run those wires down to the base, and out, into the door

Pictures, and wiring them in to function will come tomorrow