Hey guys i was wondering is it possible to get at the lights that light the gauge bezel up so i can change them to red or cover them? I bought some glo gauges but i dim them so all you can see is the yellow light that lights up the needles. It looks sick but i want them to be red. Would painging the needles do the same thing u think?
ok first off, fill out your registry so we know what model/year your car is, it will help us help you
2nd, if it is a pre 2000 car then you can take the cluster out and unscrew the bulbs (the green thingys on the back of the cluster) and either change them or cover them
if its a 00+ then its a bit harder, you
can get to the buls to cover them, but it requires removing the needles which some say dont do b/c then the cluster wont work when u put it back together......you cant really change the bulbs in the 00+ clusters b/c they are soildered to the PCB
also you can paint the needles, i did it to my 00 cluster, i took em off and scraped the white paint off the back and used glass stain to paint them, although i have yet to put it back together to see how it looks or if the needles still work
another option is to add some LEDs to your cluster, the best way i've heard of so far is basically you just stick em in the holes in the back of the cluster and most of the time they are bright enough to overpower the stock bulbs, i think most people use 4 LEDs
those are the ways i know of, i hope it helps and im sure if someone else knows another way they will tell you
I did the whole soldering LEDS on, and i had to shave off the bumps from the metal part of the needles for them to work.... I have an 02.......
PITA, but looks awsome....... (patting myself on the back)
wait for it... wait for it... NOW GO!! ---> '02 LS Sport <---
Yahoo IM : buzz122 AIM : buzz122cav
Ozzie(The Dr of ThuG-a-Nomics) <---------
i don't supose you left the bulb behind the ododmeter alone, did you?
i changed mine, cuz it just looked off, with everything else blue
wait for it... wait for it... NOW GO!! ---> '02 LS Sport <---
Yahoo IM : buzz122 AIM : buzz122cav
Buzz...everything is fine..i have a switch in my center console (where LS models have their switches) that controls my cathodes and LEDs in the AC vents and also for the cluster..i was skeptical about touchin my needles, so i left em alone..
so having that said..i can drive with that nice lookin Blue...
or
turn off my lights and drive it like stock..nice bright white
what did ya do? just stick them trhough some holes?
wait for it... wait for it... NOW GO!! ---> '02 LS Sport <---
Yahoo IM : buzz122 AIM : buzz122cav
I took off the black cover behind the gauges ...exposing the 'motherboard' of ur gauges...and with very thin guaged wire, i assorted them behind there carefully and *boom* its done
Ozzie(The Dr of ThuG-a-Nomics) <--- do you have an even glow, or do you have "hot" spots?
wait for it... wait for it... NOW GO!! ---> '02 LS Sport <---
Yahoo IM : buzz122 AIM : buzz122cav
Its all even, with the exception of 1 hot spot on the "90" on the mph gauge..but after having some electrical issues with my car..(not my LEDs) i just decided to rip out ALL my LEDs from my car..cluster, ac vents,etc..dont ask why...i think i was just frustrated
you shouldn't take your frustration out on your car.........
find a brick wall, punch it, and bang your head a couple of times against it, it'll work !!!!!!!!!
I have a small hot spot in that same aproximate area....... besides that, it looks awsome
what do you plan on doing since you ripped them all out?
wait for it... wait for it... NOW GO!! ---> '02 LS Sport <---
Yahoo IM : buzz122 AIM : buzz122cav
Hey.. i Hope this helps in some way... i have a 2000, but ive also done this too a 2002.. If u want them to look really good.. its not really that hard to replace all the bulbs in the cluster. All you need is some basic soldering knowledge and how to use a multimeter and your fine..
Ok.. first step is getting all those needles off.. Yes.. it can be done without hurting anything.. just un solder them from the back of the cluster.. theres 4 pins on each.. suck up that solder and there off the board..
Now u have the whole front exposed.. u can find the replacement leds and solder them onto the board, just make sure they are the same as what u replace... volts, amps.. oh and i highly recommend not getting the laser led ones. They leave dark spots.
Anyway.. after your done messing about in there.. to attach the needles again.. just put each pin in its place and solder them back in..
I have never had a single problem with any of the clusters i have done this too.. I actually revived mine by replacing the led behind the odometer because it had burnt out. Then i just decided to replace them all with blue bulbs and i havent had a problem since.
Buz.z...its a secret as far as the interior goes, and like in my other thread, i'm workin on some LED tails..it should all be done around the same time...
Knoxy - I'd rather not move my Needles on my 04....i've heard too many bad experience..but thanks
Knoxy,
You wouldn't have a pic by any chance of the location of where we need to solder so that we can get a perspective of how much of a job it will be.
Nope sorry.. never took any pics when i did it.. But iam doing one either this week or next.. and i can take pics the whole way through for u guys if u want. Ill do a lil walkthrough.. it really isnt that hard..
Ozzie.. I know what u mean.. ive heard all the storys too.. but good luck with the interior.
did you ever see my post on removing the needles????
fine, let it be a secret.......... more of a suprise factor
wait for it... wait for it... NOW GO!! ---> '02 LS Sport <---
Yahoo IM : buzz122 AIM : buzz122cav
