Episode 37 - 9-3 ISM LED Retrofit

[@Jonathan-qe8vf]

Just done this myself tonight and it’s working very nicely! I also saw Weakest of Weeks’ video and the Saab Central forum thread but couldn’t see the positioning of the resistors so many thanks for your video! 😊

[@saabfeverfrank]

Glad I could help!

[@CycloneCyd]

Can you clarify the value of those resistors please. It's almost impossible to read the values off the video. Thanks

[@saabfeverfrank]

Hi Cyd, if you follow the links in the description, it'll take you straight to the relevant parts which will also list their specs should you decide to source them from elsewhere. Frank.

[@fareedmidnite]

Thank you for the video Frank. Have to add that there are nice and quality beats playing on the background :)

[@saabfeverfrank]

Thank you

[@BWTECH0521]

very nice! it's something small but adds a lot to the overall mood!!

[@saabfeverfrank]

you should give it a go sometime.

[@SaabUnleashed]

This is a great video, I'm going to have to give it a go in my vert

[@saabfeverfrank]

High praise indeed! Thanks Stuart. Let me know if you need any components, I think I`ve still got a few left overs.

[@AeroHaage]

Nice! I have like three ISMs laying around without the lights. You sir, owned yourself a subscribe from me! :)

[@saabfeverfrank]

Thank you, kindly!

[@carlosmascarenhas4905]

Please may I ask how you tested the unit without having the ISM fully re-assembled? How did you get the unit to power up without the key? On another note, is it possible to do this retrofit with a soldering iron only? I do not have a hot air tool like yourself.

[@saabfeverfrank]

It was together enough to function, so basically, just plugged in so that it would light up. For this test (the lights) the key isn't needed, the unit lights up with the interior lights when you unlock the car. Yes, it is definately possible with a soldering iron, I just used hot air because it's easier and quicker but it's by no means a requirement,

[@carlosmascarenhas4905]

@@saabfeverfrank Thank you for the prompt response I really appreciate it! I think I will buy a 2nd hand ISM and give this a try with a soldering iron. I am guessing the LEDs will be quite hard to solder since the exposed metal tabs are very small

[@carlosmascarenhas4905]

@@saabfeverfrank By any chance do you still have sets of LEDs and resistors that you would sell?

[@saabfeverfrank]

@@carlosmascarenhas4905 possibly but if you use plenty of flux, you shouldn't have too much of a problem.

[@saabfeverfrank]

@@carlosmascarenhas4905 Sorry, don't think I do. I have just checked the links in the desciption though and every thing seems to be there except for the CRCW12063K30FKEA, you'd need to find a replacement for that.

[@Explore-Gobal]

Definitely either going to do this or swap a 2003 ISM. Thanks for the thorough video. Do you know if all 2003 new look 9-3's have the light up ISM?

[@saabfeverfrank]

I can't say for sure but from what I`ve heard, yes, it's the new look 2003 models have it but it was dropped from Model Year 2004 and onward. I suppose there is a chance that late 2003 cars might not have it.

[@Explore-Gobal]

@@saabfeverfrank Just wanted to say I really enjoy the way you present your videos and make it easy and fun to follow. Got back from the wrecker the other day and pulled an ISM form a 2003. I was stoked, but then disappointed when I examined the board. No leds in sight, lol. So I immediately jumped to the conclusion that not all 2003 9-3' have them. As it turns out, there was a date sticker on the board - 03/06/2015. What are the chances of finding a 2003 Saab 9-3 at the wreckers with an ISM that had already been replaced with a later non LED version, lol. I immediately bought a lottery ticket 😂 Side note - I still bagged the board, took it home, and installed four of my spare Saab parts bin LEDs. Still waiting on MOUSER delivery for the resistors. I'm very confident it will work when they are soldered in place. Gotta get me one of the heat blowers like you have to do the soldering because even with my very fine tip variable Weller, it's a bit of a pain to do them properly. What unit are you using? Thanks again 🙌

[@saabfeverfrank]

@@Explore-Gobal Yeah, that's a bit of bad luck aint it! I use Yihua 853D from Amazon.

[@Explore-Gobal]

@@saabfeverfrank The resistors arrived today. Iron is getting hot. Almost ready to lay those bad boys down. I'm pretty confident.

[@saabfeverfrank]

@@Explore-Gobal Good luck buddy, let us know how it goes!

[@walterwhelan]

Very clever man.

[@saabfeverfrank]

not really, I was just able to pull a bunch of information from seperate sources into one place. hopefully, things like this make it easier for people to try it themselves.

[@alextg50]

If you could find some cheap used ones . clean them up and install these , im pretty sure many would buy ... I would if the price was good ... its a nice upgrade for our cars !

[@saabfeverfrank]

As it happens, I`ve got everything I need to make a few more. maybe I should do one of those KZbin giveaway things...

[@admr78]

@@saabfeverfrank I’m hopeless with soldering and would be willing to send you a spare unit to get the mod done and of course contribute $$ to what ever is required.

[@saabfeverfrank]

@@admr78 Send me an email, I`ve still enough parts to do 3 more units I think.

[@admr78]

@@saabfeverfrank I would but I’m unsure how

[@saabfeverfrank]

[e-mail]

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Excellent video, well done my friend! If you don't mind I'd like to link this in my Detailed ISM video so for those interested in retrofitting the LED's can visually see what's involved.

[@saabfeverfrank]

Yes of course. You're the only reason I even knew about this!

[@AmigaMANpt]

One of the resistors seems to be out of stock and long waiting time (40 weeks) any idea were else to get them?

[@saabfeverfrank]

ohhhh an Amiga fan! Awesome! Seems to out of stock at Digikey too. Farnell seem to have plenty though:- uk.farnell.com/vishay/crcw12063k30fkea/res-3k3-1-0-25w-1206-thick-film/dp/1653122

[@AmigaMANpt]

@@saabfeverfrank thanks for the help!! And yes the Amiga 1200 still works and have it setup in my home office :)

[@Paul_C83]

Great video and explanation. Would love to have the skills/equipment to do this... sadly i dont. :(

[@grmeyers]

why do you show 4 different resistors, doesn't all 4 Leds take the same one? thanks grm

[@saabfeverfrank]

Good question but no, the original unit had 4 different values so I`ve copied it exactly here. I too was surprised to see 4 different values.

[@miguelramonbronchalesgraci2659]

Podría comuni carse en españo

[@saabfeverfrank]

Lo siento, no hablo español