View Full Version : Blue MFD display Dull!!!!!
chris1989
04-07-2007, 18:34
i received my blue conversion kit to today form crazyled. So far i have fitted the speedo the heater panel and the mfd. But the MFD display is quite dull, and i remember reading on here somewhere about a diffuser?????
Is there anything i can do to make it any brighter?
Also i have one bulb left over, its the same as the ones that go in the heater panel but could only see two to go in there, any ideas where the other one goes?
jacko103
04-07-2007, 18:38
Post #13 http://www.corsa-c.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=78994&highlight=bright
chris1989
04-07-2007, 20:18
I have looked inside the unit and all i can see is what looks like a film stuck over the display. Is this what i have to remove, does it just peel off?
jackt360
04-07-2007, 20:43
no dont take that off thats apart of the screen its a yellow plastic thing, ive removed mine but my left led is really dim for some reason but meh
chris1989
04-07-2007, 20:54
ok, i dont think mine seemed to have that, but ill check again.
All MFDs have a diffuser fitted, later versions have a yellow one which defeats all LEDs except red. You can remove the diffuser but it also acts as a spring to keep the glass screen against the housing, removing it and not replacing it with something suitable means the screen can fall in.
Earlier versions have a white diffuser fitted and these perform fine with LEDs.
Be very careful opening the Siemens type MFD, it's all black, its very difficult to split and very easy to ruin the ribbon cable.
Twinportal
04-07-2007, 23:51
Im gna make me a white difuser from a thin white ice cream tub. Should be good. Cant beat a bit of DIY lol:yes:
Why bother? I can make diffusers which are better than the OE ones for £1.50 inc P&P. I can make the 2 bulb version anytime but I need to check on the one I made for the 3 bulb MFD for dimensions as I didn't bother to record the dimensions when I did it.
Twinportal
05-07-2007, 00:12
What do you use to make them matey?
I use some arcylic which took me ages to find, it needs to be the correct thickness and also the correct level of light diffusion to be perfect. They are simple to fit, just remove the old diffuser and clip in the new one, stays in place perfectly and is also exactly the right thickness to keep the screen pressed hard against it's restraints.
http://www.crazyleds.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=443
is this what you got, mite get 1 myself
Twinportal
05-07-2007, 00:33
Thats right. Its a good kit. Just expect fideling if you have a 3 LED MFD
As long as you're careful the MFD parts won't break.
Take the diffuser out. Get a piece of baking paper and fold it in two to fit the shape of the MFD. Tape it on the top and sides with a little sticky tape. You can easily use something like bluetac to push the MFD panel forward to stay against the casing. Job done and smack it back into the housing.
It's not really that much of a job, costs practically nothing.
very new to this but i want to buy the blue conversion kit, the same as above but have no idea how to do it, i have a 51reg sxi so will i have to take my diffuser out or will it be ok,
it seems so many people have done it so it cant be that hard
very new to this but i want to buy the blue conversion kit, the same as above but have no idea how to do it, i have a 51reg sxi so will i have to take my diffuser out or will it be ok,
it seems so many people have done it so it cant be that hard
You'll be ok, yours is a prefacelift. I recommend the AceParts kit from Ebay - it's £15 and the bulbs are just right - it comes with fitting instructions too.
If you get stuck just have to ask for help and people will reply - if in doubt PM me and i'll help you out with what you need to know ;)
Same goes for window switches and steering controls, I convert those too! See my Sig ;)
I did a member search of E-Bay for Aceparts and they don't show. You sure that's the right name?
As for the price, £15 is damned expensive. When I do an Astra G MFD ( I've done about 30 now) I always fit 10 LEDs in them plus a new diffuser if needed, they are visible during the day even in bright sunlight, at night they do not hotspot at all, I only charge £13 for that so unless the Acepart kit has a lot of other LEDs it's not good value.
Wright8 I'd imagine you won't need the diffuser changing, however if you fit blue LEDs and you can't see much let me know as I have some genuine white diffusers lying around or I can make you a new one for a very small amount.
Word of advice, if your MFD is all black DO NOT attempt to open it, these are the Siemens version of the MFD and are notorious for being broken or ruined when opened unless you know exactly how to do it, the white backed Borg type is easy to open.
As long as you're careful the MFD parts won't break.
Take the diffuser out. Get a piece of baking paper and fold it in two to fit the shape of the MFD. Tape it on the top and sides with a little sticky tape. You can easily use something like bluetac to push the MFD panel forward to stay against the casing. Job done and smack it back into the housing.
It's not really that much of a job, costs practically nothing.
sounds like you have done that before
The clue here is the name "DIFFUSER" not muter, to avoid hotspotting from LEDs it must diffuse the light sideways, baking paper doesn't diffuse it just mutes. It will work to a fashion but the results aren't half as good as the proper diffuser.
I'll say this again, opening an MFD isn't hard except for the Siemens of course, ruining one however is very very easy, if you rip the ribbon cable or puncture it with a screwdriver trying to open the case it's ruined, if you tear the ribbon cable from either the PCB or the glass screen it's ruined, if you don't discharge static from your body and touch the wrong parts, it's ruined. Run your finger along the screen when it's lit, you can see the electrical field your body is producing on the screen, I've seen screens with no apparent damage not display parts of the screen due to static discharge.
Not wanting to scare anyone here, if your careful it's fairly easy, if your one of those people with 2 thumbs get someone else to do it.
I did a member search of E-Bay for Aceparts and they don't show. You sure that's the right name?
As for the price, £15 is damned expensive. When I do an Astra G MFD ( I've done about 30 now) I always fit 10 LEDs in them plus a new diffuser if needed, they are visible during the day even in bright sunlight, at night they do not hotspot at all, I only charge £13 for that so unless the Acepart kit has a lot of other LEDs it's not good value.
Wright8 I'd imagine you won't need the diffuser changing, however if you fit blue LEDs and you can't see much let me know as I have some genuine white diffusers lying around or I can make you a new one for a very small amount.
Word of advice, if your MFD is all black DO NOT attempt to open it, these are the Siemens version of the MFD and are notorious for being broken or ruined when opened unless you know exactly how to do it, the white backed Borg type is easy to open.
AceParts on ebay - better bulbs than CrazyLEDs I believe personally. CrazyLEDs are the two-bit 286's in a 509 holder that aren't frosted. AceParts do single-part bulbs that're frosted.
I know my shizzle, i've got them and i've done plenty of others' with CrazyLEDs ones, unbranded LEDs and i've found myself recommending AceParts bulbs. You don't get a dull spot in the middle with them.
sounds like you have done that before
No but I know a genius mate of mine that has ;)
Az I'm not doubting you think they are better than CrazyLeds, I'm saying I personally can't find Aceparts selling anything on E-Bay, I did a full member search and got no hits which point to a UK based seller who sells LEDs. I understand you think they are better but if he no longer sells LEDs then it doesn't help to recommend him, a link to one of his auctions on E-Bay would be a great help.
Az I'm not doubting you think they are better than CrazyLeds, I'm saying I personally can't find Aceparts selling anything on E-Bay, I did a full member search and got no hits which point to a UK based seller who sells LEDs. I understand you think they are better but if he no longer sells LEDs then it doesn't help to recommend him, a link to one of his auctions on E-Bay would be a great help.
lol i didn't think you were doubting me :P
Linky Link: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-CORSA-C-SXI-GSI-ALL-BLUE-LED-DASH-KIT-DIALS_W0QQitemZ250137724821QQihZ015QQcategoryZ7223 3QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Ahhh they are listed as Aceparts_Uk, doesn't show when you search for just aceparts. They look a little patchy in his pics, usual problem with the plug and play LEDs, areas of the speedo/MFD don't get the same light intensity but not a bad kit for the price.
Yeah that the problem I find with the plug and plays, but they're better than the CrazyLEDs ones. I'll try and get a comparison pic.
Quite tempted at the prospect of pulling open my dials and converting them to a board to stick some SMD's on and see how that turns out. Would be much better light distribution if was gotten done right.
mike_sri123
06-07-2007, 17:57
Ive bought the blue crazyleds kit, and had same problem with MFD , its dull and can hardly see it, ive read most of the replys and still dont properly understand what ive got to do to make the MFD bright
Mike
Ive bought the blue crazyleds kit, and had same problem with MFD , its dull and can hardly see it, ive read most of the replys and still dont properly understand what ive got to do to make the MFD bright
Mike
You've probably got the yellow diffuser fitted Mike, is yours the 3 bulb type? if so it's almost certainly got the yellow diffuser. You need to replace this with something else, I'm trying to get access to a 3 bulb MFD, when I do I'll make 6 or so new diffusers for them as a number of people are interested in them.
I made one for my daughters 3 bulb MFD but she won't let me take it out again to copy it :( However I've just bought a MFD dome to spray for her so I'll have to remove it then and if so I'll make some when she ain't looking.
mike_sri123
06-07-2007, 22:19
Yeh it is the 3 bulb one, Id be interested in a new diffuser for it:)
pinkcorsa3000
10-07-2007, 21:40
right im really worried now.. i wanna change all mine to green, will this make any difference? and does anyone have a pic of this "diffuser" and where i can get a descent one to show the green well..?
marky mark
10-07-2007, 21:50
right im really worried now.. i wanna change all mine to green, will this make any difference? and does anyone have a pic of this "diffuser" and where i can get a descent one to show the green well..?
What part of ashford you from? You ok changeing all the led's
pinkcorsa3000
10-07-2007, 22:06
well im near wye but no one knows where that is! so ashford aint far for me, im worried about messing it up to be honest! as ive said else where i bought a green corsa and wanna do all the interior (lights wise) green..
Will i have this same problem on the Corsa B?
pinkcorsa3000
10-07-2007, 22:09
this is all new to me! haha
" if your MFD is all black DO NOT attempt to open it", are you talking about when you take the clock bit off the dome the back plastic bit of that, any pictures
thanx
This is a pic of both types of diffusers, the one on the left is the Borg type, the right one is the Siemens. The Borg MFD has a white back on it, the Siemens is an all black MFD, black front, black back. The look identical from the front but clamp together much differently and don't use the same internals, virtually nothing on the 2 is interchangable.
Those are the white type, the later type is made of the same material and is identical except its made of yellow plastic, only colour which will shine through it vrtually unaffected is red. Blue comes out sickly green and very dull, no idea what green would turn out like but can't imagine it would be pleasant.
You can see the spring like pieces which hold the glass screen against the stops.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/Oddjob323/DSCF0247.jpg
sorry but i have never opened it before, are you talking about when you open this
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u56/wright8/f540_1.jpg
then you can see the diffuser
Yep and that's a Siemens MFD, the one that's difficult to open.
Looks damaged as well around the elec connector.
its not mine, just looks the same, so if i wanted to put blue leds in would i just put them in the 2 holes or will it not work, also if i wanted to change the front to silver, would i have to open it to do that,
thanx
its not mine, just looks the same, so if i wanted to put blue leds in would i just put them in the 2 holes or will it not work, also if i wanted to change the front to silver, would i have to open it to do that,
thanx
The font colour is dictated by the bulb colour, as you can't get a silver LED you can't get silver writing. Put blue LEDs in the 2 holes and providing you've inserted them in the right polarity they should light up blue, unless of course it has the dreaded yellow filter but I don't think it will.
marky mark
11-07-2007, 04:57
I have changed my speedo dials to blue led's. When i turn my fog lights on i dont get the green symbol come up. Does this happen to anyone else or just me? What causes this?
sorry, was talking about this, i want a painted one like this, mine is the normal black, do i have to open it or just pull it off
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u56/wright8/f3ab_1.jpg
marky mark
11-07-2007, 12:38
Speak to sxi001 he sprays them, his work is top
marky mark
11-07-2007, 12:39
well im near wye but no one knows where that is! so ashford aint far for me, im worried about messing it up to be honest! as ive said else where i bought a green corsa and wanna do all the interior (lights wise) green..
Will i have this same problem on the Corsa B?
I live in Wye :look:
pinkcorsa3000
11-07-2007, 18:02
I live in Wye :look:
hahaha what a suprise. 5 mins up the road mate.. Hastingleigh
marky mark
12-07-2007, 13:21
hahaha what a suprise. 5 mins up the road mate.. Hastingleigh
Whats your name?
pinkcorsa3000
12-07-2007, 17:34
Whats your name?
Dan... why? :| lol
marky mark
13-07-2007, 00:21
Dan... why? :| lol
Just wondered if i had heard your name, thats all
pinkcorsa3000
13-07-2007, 01:30
Just wondered if i had heard your name, thats all
lol!, just bought me kit anyway! cant wait for it to come.. should look mint with the car being green!
http://www.crazyleds.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=448
&
http://www.crazyleds.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=97&products_id=547
Need some help, I want to change my display where the time and date is to blue, I have tried to put some little rubber blue thing on the bulb to make it blue but it comes out green which tells me that there is a yellow diffuser,
if I buy a blue conversion kit will it tell me how to change the diffuser or does it just come with blue leds because if i just plug them in wont it just go a different colour because of the diffuser
jacko103
18-07-2007, 00:24
Well you've just posted in a thread that tells you how to resolve the diffuser issue so why would you care?
CrazyLeds send you basic instructions via email if you want.
because no1 has said what comes in the blue conversion kit, i dont want to buy it then all i get is some blue leds and i still have the same problem, i have the all black Siemens MFD so i dont want to open it, because every1 says you can break it if you try and open it
CrazyLEDs kit AFAIK doesn't tell you how to fix the diffuser problem, it mentions it but doesn't help you resolve it.
You wanna send me your MFD and I'll convert it? cost is £13 inc P&P and I'll throw in a new diffuser for free. I fit 10 LEDs in the MFD and you'll be able to read it during the day, unlike the 2 plug and play LEDs.
any chance you could get hold of one and put the leds in then i can buy the whole thing off you so then incase something goes wrong i have my old 1
You got the 2 bulb or 3 bulb MFD? they use different connectors
Same as the Astra MFD then, only difference is that the Astra MFD has a flat edge on the bottom where the Corsa has a slight tilt to the screen.
I can convert an Astra one easily enough, got about 6 of them.
will that work, got any pictures, how much would you sell one for
Yeah it will work, I've had Corsa ones lit up in mine, they use identical elec connectors, the internals are almost the same as well. Only difference beside the tilt on the screen is that the Astra one defaults to 1997 and the Corsa one is 2001 IIRC.
Oh £25 for a fully converted one.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/Oddjob323/DSCF0103.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/Oddjob323/DSCF0118.jpg
not sure what that means, any price
looks good, thanx for ur help, will have a think about it
I have the 3 bulb yellow plastic borg unit, with 3 blue LEDs in it, it looks a very dull lilac colour, is there a definitive solution for a new diffuser e.g. best material, thickness to keep the display fixed in place, colour (blue, white, semi transparent). Or has anyone removed the filter, cut out the middle section to retain the spring edge and replaced the centre section?
Off the shelf would be even better.
Did they do the same to the mile meter filter?
RJSTRAFF
09-01-2008, 18:05
I have the 3 bulb yellow plastic borg unit, with 3 blue LEDs in it, it looks a very dull lilac colour, is there a definitive solution for a new diffuser e.g. best material, thickness to keep the display fixed in place, colour (blue, white, semi transparent). Or has anyone removed the filter, cut out the middle section to retain the spring edge and replaced the centre section?
Off the shelf would be even better.
Did they do the same to the mile meter filter?
i'd liek to know the same :) and is there a diffuser on the speedo and mile meter to then ?
Lot of questions there.
First off, AFAIK there isn't a yellow filter in the mileage displays of the Corsa C, the Astra G has one but the Corsa C mileage display unit is different in it's approach, hence no filter.
You can cut the centre out of the OE diffuser but you will get hotspots on the screen then as the diffuser whilst acting as a screen clamp also diffuses the light source, hence the name.
3mm is the ideal thickness to make a diffuser out of. Best material I've found is semi opaque arcylic, however I had to try quite a few types before I found one that performed as well as if not better than a white OE diffuser. You need one which transmits about 65% of the light source.
However as a replacement is only £1.50 delivered from me why bother buying a full sheet which is approx £13 inc P&P for just a small amount.
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