Ok, after seeing a few threads on here about changing the centre console lights and instrument panel from green to blue, I thought I would have a go
Jesus !!! It wasnt easy let me tell you...
Bought the led kit from aceparts - HID Kits, Xenon Bulbs, LED Bulbs, Sidelights and Interior LED bulb kits plus the leds for the centre console and spares (cos I am a numptie mechanic and knew I would lose a few)
First mistake was doing it with a small hangover but I thought what the heck.
Instrument panel was fairly easy on my car MY00, two screws at top of panel, remove the sleeve, then 3 more screws for the actual panel. Then 5 minutes of cursing and managed to reach behind and detach the 3 green connectors and removed the panel.Then it was just a case of replacing the right bulb holders, reconnect the panel (but not refit it ), check the leds lit up. Some didnt so just take them out and twist them around and then back in again.
I noticed that the redline section of the rev counter doesnt light up as good as the rest but might get a red bulb for that section.
(obviuolsy dont do what I nearly did and think about replacing all the bulbs, cos you dont want blue indicators, door open lights and engine warning lights!!!)
and this is what I was left with



Second mistake was not stopping there, but oh no, I was now feeling brave and decided to tackle the centre console.

Now this aint so easy,third mistake was calling a mate to ask how best to take apart the console.Oh yeah he has a bugeye so no bloody use at all !!
though he did have to endure 5 mins of listening to me cursing and yelling at the car everytime I dropped a vital screw down the back
Anyway got the dash off, had to take apart the gear surround, prise of the panel and undo all the screws.
Then the fun started, as i had to try and swivel the heater unti around to access the two ******* bulbs at the back.
Subaru engineers must have been having a laugh when they put these units in !!
Anyway to cut a long story short, after what seems to be hours, 2 lost bulbs (god knows where they went), several bouts of swearing and adopting novel postions in the seat, I got them in including the lighter bulb.

Tidied up the cables, tucked in my sat nav cable and then put it all back..
Turned on the ignition and then realised that the red part of the heater control does not glow (cant do anything about that) and I have no idea how to change the rear heater or front light angle buttons as they do not have obvious bulbs.
Oh and a final gem, the fecking bright switch does not have a bulb or glow at all !! Bright it aint....

The final result after quite a few hours, banging head and a tidy collection of cuts and grazed knuckles
(BTW the dials do light up better than the picture shows..)



I am getting new gauges next week so that will complete the picture, but here is my night driving picture
(again scuse the crappy pics)



I'm knackered now...

 

wow i really like that, if the lights were brighter it would be even better! nice one mate

 

i want to do this but make my dials white to match my defi's is this possible?

 

yes it is possible.
if you look at the link i gave you, they do the kits in white, blue and red

 

That's a bit gay.....

 

Excellent work there Cheesy

Blue is better on the eyes than green I'll agree
You will be inundated with requests now for assistance Chris

Si

 

Very nice, wanna do mine

 

Just becuase your 12 yr old legacy has those bulbs that gradually warm up and then get brighter
and an open fire in the din sockets...

 

No
I need to grow some skin back on my hands first ...

Simon

cheers for that....

 

Nice! Group Buy anyone?

 

haha I wonder if I could fit these to mine

 

group but on the leds or a group buy on my skin graft??

TBH, it did take some time and I did make a few bundering mistakes (but hey I am a numptie have a goer) but if you take your time, use a bit of common sense and dont do it with a hangover, it it is fairly straightforward
(bar the heater control bulbs, they are absolute ******* )

If someone can tell me what to do about the light adjustment , headlight wash and rear heater switch I would be grateful. they have no bulbs to replace, but glow green via I am guessing the actual connector )

 

you might...take apart your instrument and have a look at the bulbs and holders.

£50 for my time

 

That looks

What is that blue light on top of the dash by the A piller?

 

i shall be ordering a set of white for mine on monday are they easy to fit? Judging from your comments regarding skin graphs i guess not

 

wow wicked.......but whats the point?

Looks crap next to the green milometre

 

Very nice and kinda christmassy and very modern look. well done. i think you have deserved to put your feet up and have a nice long cold beer.
I know taking a dash apart is not easy. did it with my Astra.
Darren

 

Green mileometer is a Turbo timer i believe

 

Quick question - is it just the pictures which are really dim?

 

pm if you want to know how to do it

 

spot on, to fatman.. it is a blitz turbo timer and no i am not going to dismantle that and try and make it blue

 

yeah the pictures dont do it justice, it is brighter, but a combination of so-so camera and trying to get a picture without flash aint too easy.
overall, as silverscoobysport says, blue is easier on the eye, whilst making all my dash and console look cool blue. (except the turbo timer )

unless you were referring to me being dim

 

Very nice Swisstopher Worth the time and effort to do it IMO
Glad you lost some skin too, serves you right for having a sheltered + pampered life, eating from a silver spoon, drinking from a golden goblet and being served by butlers and silver service waiters Those hands of yours have never before seen a hard days work, instead they`ve had almost 40 years of massages and manicures
The turbo timers out of place... definetly. Chuck it out, infact, give it to me, i`ll dispose of it in my car Drop it round too if you like

 

Cliff...


I would love to donate the turbo timer to you and your car, but just a small point, you need a working turbo to time

 

Ouch

 

I take it theyre brighter in reality?

 

LOL - I had the blue ones in my old MY95> It looked wicked, but IMHO, looked a bit difficult to see

Looks though

Dan

 

well done chris i'm glad you were brave enough to have a go. i did say it wasn't easy though

can i ask what alan at aceparts charged you for the bulbs? i'm trying to sort out the new age kit for him at the mo. here's mine....... ..03 wrx

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../bluedials.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...too/hvacon.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...o/bluehvac.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...edinterior.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ueigswitch.jpg



dean

 

Turbo timer ahh..............I can see that now, I'd had a few when I wrote that

Still can't see any point in all that time and effort....but each to there own.

Keep smiling.

 

dean
you inspired me to do it and yes you were right, it was not easy as the title said.
yours looks so much better than mine,but I think that is down to the better new age dials etc than the crappy ones on a classic..but in reply to davyboy, lot of hard work but definately worth it.
could have spent a few hours doing something else, but being a total mechanical numptie, meant i had a smile of satisfaction after finishing it and doing something that I didnt think I could do.
but as you say each to their own


right now who wants to start the ideas for my next weekend project