Mat's BX Blog

[mds141]

Excellent work Mat. The illuminated window switches in the XM are green.

[mat_fenwick]

I don't have much free time at home - this week I've been spending all the daylight hours splitting firewood for next winter but I did that /\ at work yesterday lunchtime. Like many people I'm 'expected' to work through my lunch break (although they don't mind the odd bit of internet usage (like now!) so long as the work gets done i.e. I stay later) but I'm buggered if I'm doing that any more (long story). So if I head to the workshop and do a bit of soldering during my breaks, it appears as though I'm still working hard - I get things done and everyone's happy!
Might be able to knock up some switches to order - I've just bought some 3mm green LEDs which already have a current limiting resistor built into the case. That should make things easier. The one-touch switch might be a bit more fiddly though, and I only have one spare of those. Watch this space!

[mds141]

Very illuminating!

[mds141]

One good thing about being a HGV driver(not a great deal of positives I admit), is that, by European law you have to have an uninterrupted break of at least 45 mins after 4.5 hrs of driving. Feet up and read the paper time!

[Mickey taker]

its ok Mat I dont need a 1 touch [yet] although that s something else I would like to do, I just need the three front switches , drivers, passenger and driver side passenger window switch, I dont mind sending you my old switches once they have been swapped so that your stock dosent run low, plus beer tokens of course

[Paul296]

I'd love illuminated window switches; as it's a reversible mod (presumably?) it wouldn't compromise my 'factory spec' neurosis too much (! ). If you're considering a little cottage industry Mat - I'd be very interested.

[mat_fenwick]

Reversible in that you could put the standard switches back in, or at a pinch desolder the LEDs. But the only time it will look different is at night with the ignition on.
Once the new LEDs arrive I'll see how long it takes to solder them in - I'm hoping for a more even illumination with a smaller light source as I'll be able to mount it centrally. If it doesn't take too long I'm happy to knock some more up for other light minded people...

One good thing about being a HGV driver (not a great deal of positives I admit)

It doesn't sound too bad from reading your other thread!

[mat_fenwick]

Well, I've managed it on one switch so far. An extremely fiddly job, in fact I'm even having second thoughts about doing any more switches! Maybe I'm just ham fisted though? A single 3mm LED didn't seem bright enough, so I had to put two in. This leaves little space for a soldering iron, which accidentally contacted the casing a few times. Also, to get sufficient heat into the pressed metal parts of the swich to melt the solder, the plastic casing was softening too!


Starting to think I should perhaps invest in a digital camera, or at the least a mobile phone with a macro setting on the camera!

The other thing I've been modifying recently (I had a day off yesterday to watch the Olympic torch go past so a bit of spare time) is the interior lights. There are some times when I want the doors open but don't want the lights draining the battery i.e. when working on it or while listening to music when camping. So I've added a discreet switch which disables the door pin switches.

[Tim Leech]

If you want to make up some more illuminated switches, put me down for a couple of sets in green?????

[Dollywobbler]

Nice one on disabling the interior lights. I can switch them off on the Mk1 but not on the Mk2. Conversely, I guess I can't just turn them on permanently in the Mk1 but I consider that no great loss.

[mat_fenwick]

Seems like most modern cars have a timer which cuts them off after a period of time but that can be equally unhelpful as it removes your choice in the matter. I've just realised that it would be a dead simple job to put in an on/off/on switch instead of the one I've used, so that you can have all 3 choices from one switch.

[Dollywobbler]

Phase 2 of this upgrade could also include one of those fancy dimmer switches. How posh would you feel then?

[Wooscary]

Mood lighting in a car!

[Matt H]

Interesting. The orange switches would have suited my 16v before I reverted to green dials!

On a slightly similar note, one thing I'm currently trying to work out is how to make the one touch work on the passenger side... It's got a one touch module on both sides. The passenger side window works independently, but there's no way of controlling it from the drivers side. I have a spare switch for the drivers side, but obviously need to adapt the loom to make it work. Some people might ask why, I say why not!

[mat_fenwick]

Mood lighting in a car!

My need for mood lighting in a car has diminished as I've grown older!

Matt, it can be done although I've never looked at the wiring diagram to see exactly what you need to do. I think Vanny has done it though.