45 minutes to becoming a Cruise Control LED installation expert

[John_H]

I haven't changed anything in the original links. If you go to somesmart.info/LEDvideo, you can see all the versions we tried in getting something together that was bandwidth and computer friendly; perhaps another version will work. The Quicktime plugin is what pops up in my browser to run the video; perhaps installing Quicktime if you don't already have it may help in viewing. You could also try downloading the file to your PC before viewing: from the first post in the thread, do a right-click, save-link-as to download.

I think the latest "Lets try this.mp4" version was almost ready to re-publish, correcting the one short segment of goofed-up audio.

[Woody14619]

Great work John. Another option (one I had to do) would be to get a nibble tool and just nibble off a little part of the white plastic where the board goes. I had to do that because the MDC line isn't as thin and the one you make for the Area451. A dremel would do in a pinch, but since I had a nibble tool laying around (for minor sheet metal cutting) it was the obvious solution.

[John_H]

If you're talking about the tempermental clock-set button because of the PC board thickness, I'm not convinced that's the only thing causing a problem; the housing might be mechanically marginal to start with. I'm pretty sure my clock-set button got cranky before the LED board was in place and the odometer-reset button was troublesome on a friend's car without any instrument cluster disassembly. While filing away material may help significantly, I'm not a fan of altering my original equipment if I can help it. Using the "bumpon" to help keep the switch working properly is clean and reversible.

[mvaldes]

When I put on the "bump on" John sent me, my clock set button worked as well, or even better, than it did before I installed his dash LED. It's a very clever, simple and elegant solution.

[Suze]

Originally Posted by mvaldes

When I put on the "bump on" John sent me, my clock set button worked as well, or even better, than it did before I installed his dash LED. It's a very clever, simple and elegant solution.

I'm a fan of John's "bump on" too.

[dichrodave]

His bump fixed my problem. I had problems setting the clock before I ever installed my LED.

[smartxs]

Originally Posted by NCC1701

Wow, that indicator LED looks to be more of a challenge than the CC itself.
Good work John H, jediknight36, and Suze (you're brave!)

John_H
Just installed my LED in 40 minutes and I was VERY careful, so was taking my time. Your video and unit are absolutely great!

The CC took longer to install than the LED. If done together, it would cut the time because you could do the wire splicing on a workbench or table.

What I appreciated was John included everything I needed except the everyday tools. Battery, splicers, and that CUTE curly que wire for fishing the wiring through!

Outstanding. As I told John, the local dealer is installing the cruise control and I am going to give them the connection with John to get the LED unit, really a value added unit!

[John_H]

It took you 40 minutes being very careful. The only reason the video is 45 minutes is because I talked a bunch, explaining as I went along.

I hope the pulling things apart and snapping it all back together was absolute fun. Doing this kind of stuff increases the connection between owner and car.