Printer Friendly Forum Posts - Replaced factory Red LED flasher w/ Blue?

Hi,
My goal was to simply add a bright, flashing blue LED to my 98 Nissan Pathfinder's center dash as an additional reason to not approach my car for break-in. Well, that LED is now properly working after I had a guy at the 'car alarm' shop install it per the directions -- but first I tried to do myself -- uh oh.

I simply spliced/tapped in to the two wires (+ and -) that were going into the truck's Security light fixture that is located on the lower left of the dash (near the cruise control button). The first few splice and tap worked, but I blew out my flashing LEDs because of the wrong voltage or something. In continuing the experiment (I pruchased a few LEDS at diff. ampage) I then accidently crossed the exposed wires to the security fixture from Nissan. This happened 2X. Here's what I did.

The first time, I replaced the 15amp fuse that controlled the security - located in the fuse box just under the switch. It was blown. The factory system started working again (red LED flashed when I hit door lock on the keyless remote - horn went off if door was opened - LED went off when I entered the key to start car).

The second time I crossed the + and - wires, (ursh) I heard a click, and the security LED stopped flashing and STAYED ON but at half the amount of light - like a dull glow. I went to replace the 15amp fuse again, but it was not blown out? I checked the fuse box in the engine compartment and they are all fine. I've checked every fuse I can find and they are all working. I looked at the relay (in the relay box in the engine compartment) and they all look fine. But still no flashing LED.

When I hit the keyless lock, the outside lights still flash twice, and I can hear a relay click sound from the engine compartment, but the red Security LED does not change. I took the Pathfinder to the car alarm guy - he put in a proper flashing LED with a little diode and something. Great - turns on when I shut off the car. Cool. But the Nissan security light is still "broken."

It's on all the time now - no more flashing - just a dim glow. I tapped the splices I made (which are now wrapped in electrical tape) with a voltage meter and it's getting 12v.

What have I done? Why isn't it just the fuse?
Should I and can I purchase a whole new Security fixture and plug it to the dash?

Thanks
Mike
(novice electrician...open it up and start tapping on things)