Changing The Turn Signal Lights In The Mirrors?

[best_of_me_08]

Hey. I just bought a 2008 Scion tc. I am wondering how to change the turn signal lights that are on the mirrors. I want to change all the turn signal lights and I am unsure of how to get to those. So if anyone knows, please let me know. Thanks!

[JRBRUIN7@aol.com]

From what I have heard there is some cutting involved in that, I beleive there is another thread on this forum about it or you can research it, but its not as simple as just popping the cover off and replacing a bulb unfortunetley.

[chyz-dad]

Are you asking about changing the LED's???

If so you are in luck...I did this mod 2 weeks after I got my 07...

tools:
Dremel (or any rotary tool) and cutting wheels
Clear RTV silicon
Phillips screw driver
small pair wire cutters
soldering iron (small tip)
solder (flux core)
cold beer (21 and over only) to drink and cool the fingers you burn from the soldering iron
Multi meter


Steps..
1. Remove the front portion of the mirror..it pops off real easy...find the seam along the bottom of
the mirror and gently pull it off....
2. Unscrew the turn signal
3. Unplug
4. Looking at the turn signal with the clear lens facing up you will have a
grey backing.
5. Using the rotary tool you will CUT with extreme caution along the plastic
weld on the grey backing just under the clear lens...do your best not to
cut the lens...you may remove "small" portions but don't worry
6. You will find it difficult when you get to the corners take your time
7. once you have the lens separated from the backing you will take your wire cutters
and cut the old LED's out.
8. Using the rotary tool again you will have to clean up the contact point
where the old LED's were. You will see the copper beneath the coating
then you did it right.
9. Using your multi meter check the polarity of your LED's so you put them
on right. I cheated...I took mine out to the car using a set of tweezers
placed them on the plate and marked them with a sharpie. I broke my multi
meter two weeks before.
10. Once you have that figured out..time to do some soldering. You have to
be quick or you will burn the LED.
11. Once they are soldered in do a quick check by simply plugging the lights
back in.
12. Now that all the hard stuff is done you probably fell real good about
yourself....try again because this is where alot of people have messed
up....
13. Clean the edges of the lens and backing...take the RTV silicone and apply
a bead of silicone about the size of a pencil and allow to get tacky...
approx. 5-7 min.
14. Now take both halves and put them back together, and apply firm
pressure. Using your finger take the excess and spread it along the whole
seam to create a better seal. You will have to hold them for about 20 min.

Do them one at a time.....the reason for such a large bead is to fill in any small gaps that you created when cutting, and helps to seal the sides to aid in keeping water/condensation out of the lights which will ruin them. Now, if you are 21 or over you can enjoy the beer...if you haven't already...have fun

[chyz-dad]

Okay I found the type of led you will use




By the way when you are cutting, the plastic that comes flying off may/will be hot at times so be ready for it...also wear some glasses....

[best_of_me_08]

Thanks for information. It just seems a little complicated and I really don't want to screw it up.

[chyz-dad]

That's what I thought when I did it, but it is actually pretty easy...

A friend talked me into it...so I am going to do the same...

But then again if you REALLY don't feel up to it no biggy....it falls in one of the easier mods to do.

If you do it then good luck...in a good way

[navylife59]

Good info. Would you mind posting this into our Tech Article Section?

Are you asking about changing the LED's???

If so you are in luck...I did this mod 2 weeks after I got my 07...

tools:
Dremel (or any rotary tool) and cutting wheels
Clear RTV silicon
Phillips screw driver
small pair wire cutters
soldering iron (small tip)
solder (flux core)
cold beer (21 and over only) to drink and cool the fingers you burn from the soldering iron
Multi meter


Steps..
1. Remove the front portion of the mirror..it pops off real easy...find the seam along the bottom of
the mirror and gently pull it off....fun

[chyz-dad]

Roger...consider it done

[Layon07]

if i did red would i get pulled over..

[chyz-dad]

I hate to give you the bad news but........in a friggin heart beat

also if you had stobes installed in various locations on the car and ran them while driving.....the same results.....


Now if you bought a new set of turn signals which run about $60 bucks and made the change strickly for show purposes and only ran them while at shows then they won't be able to say anything....

[chyz-dad]

I had a pretty cool idea....if a switching relay could be placed inside the housing along with two different colored LEDs and they alternated with each flash that would be totally awesome.......new mod coming up me thinks.....now what colors to run????

[Layon07]

I hate to give you the bad news but........in a friggin heart beat

dang... but did you have a switch for your's that i saw?

[chyz-dad]

For my interior lights I do have them running off of a switch but for the turn signals your are BY LAW only allowed amber or white.....in the state of Florida...