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Relocating Factory Alarm LED, 2008 Honda Civic


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marfo 
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Posted: June 25, 2020 at 8:32 PM / IP Logged Link to Post Post Reply Quote marfo
I have a Honda Civic Type S (2008 Euro model, I am in the UK) with the standard factory alarm/immobiliser fitted.It does not have a battery backup siren, the alarm uses the horn, and there are no interior sensors of any kind either.
I was planning to remove the alarm LED from the instrument cluster circuit board and extend it with about 18" of cable and remount the LED on top of the dashboard so it is more visible from outside the car and I can see it clearly from looking out my house window at night to check that the car is armed and locked.
Now, when I mentioned this on the UK Honda Civic forum, I was told that this was a bad idea because the alarm is part of the CPU of the car and it was not designed to have a length of wire added to it and this could damage the CPU.He did not give me a technical reason as to why this was possible.
I have a Haynes workshop manual for my car and the alarm is part of something called the MICU (Muliplex Integrated Control Unit) which also controls he interior/exterior lights, horn, keyless entry, door locks, signal and hazard lamps, and wash/wipe system.
This comment makes no sense to me but obviously, I dont want to risk damaging the MICU so this is why I am asking the question here.
Does anyone agree with this comment and has anyone done this themselves with no problems ?
eguru 
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Posted: July 01, 2020 at 6:07 PM / IP Logged Link to Post Post Reply Quote eguru
Extending the LED with 18" of wire is not going to cause a functionality or reliability issue. You will need to have good SMD soldering skills in order to remove the surface mount LED and attach fine wires to the miniscule pads.
marfo 
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Posted: July 01, 2020 at 7:03 PM / IP Logged Link to Post Post Reply Quote marfo
Thanks eguru. So, you don't agree with what I was told. Have you done this job yourself? I was hoping it was a normal 3 or 5mm led, are you sure it is an SMD led?
mgoetz74 
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Posted: July 03, 2020 at 3:50 PM / IP Logged Link to Post Post Reply Quote mgoetz74
why not just make life easier and do a fake alarm led, turns on when the car is off. Taking out just that one led would be really tough. The gauges are usually one circuit that have different resistance values going all over the place.
https://www./i/264459131660?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=264459131660&targetid=917185845248&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9018798&poi=&campaignid=9343999179&mkgroupid=103102860388&rlsatarget=pla-917185845248&abcId=1139336&merchantid=135981752&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvMqX_Pqx6gIVghh9Ch0O3QGnEAQYBSABEgIAsvD_BwE
$2 for this or if you mess up the gauge cluster $500 for a new one. Just some advice but you can always do what you want
33 years as a installer now just a retired old guy. Favorite thing to install/topic are remote starts/car alarms. Stop using test lights!!!
catback 
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Posted: July 03, 2020 at 6:30 PM / IP Logged Link to Post Post Reply Quote catback
mgoetz74 wrote:
why not just make life easier and do a fake alarm led
Well, because of this
marfo wrote:
I can see it clearly from looking out my house window at night to check that the car is armed and locked.
eguru 
Copper - Posts: 340
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Joined: February 04, 2018
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posted: July 04, 2020 at 6:32 AM / IP Logged Link to Post Post Reply Quote eguru
marfo wrote:
Thanks eguru. So, you don't agree with what I was told. Have you done this job yourself? I was hoping it was a normal 3 or 5mm led, are you sure it is an SMD led?
I haven't performed this modification and don't know if your vehicle is identical to my Canadian model 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid.
marfo 
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Posted: July 04, 2020 at 6:39 PM / IP Logged Link to Post Post Reply Quote marfo
I haven't been able to find a electrical/wiring diagram for my car but as the alarm is controlled by the MICU which is a control unit mounted by the interior fusebox, then I am hoping that the led signal/control wire goes from the MICU to the instrument cluster circuit board and directly to the LED.
If so, then surely I could cut that wire before it goes into the plug on the instrument cluster and connect a standard 5mm led to that, adding a resistor if it is a 12v signal or nothing if it is a 1.5-3v signal.
I cant see Hondas being wired much differently between US, Canada or Euro models if they are they all use the MICU to control the alarm.
geepherder 
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Posted: July 04, 2020 at 9:46 PM / IP Logged Link to Post Post Reply Quote geepherder
If it's like the US versions, it's controlled by the CAN bus. The first post in this link has a download for the service manual:
https://www.driveaccord.net/threads/honda-accord-2008-2010-service-manual-downloadable-pdf.69098/
Page 22-336 (2316 of 2952) is where the gauge diagram starts.
My ex once told me I have a perfect face for radio.
marfo 
Member - Posts: 14
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Joined: March 11, 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: July 06, 2020 at 6:43 PM / IP Logged Link to Post Post Reply Quote marfo
Thanks geepherder. I don't really understand exactly how CAN bus works but it appears that it is much more complicated and technical than the old fashioned way of wiring cars and it is not as simple as one wire controlling the led going directly from the MICU to the led.I couldn't follow the wiring diagram but it doesn't appear that I can break into any wire in the loom anywhere to do what I wanted to do.I would have to unsolder the alarm led from the board and replace it with a length of wire for the led to be relocated.

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