Changed dash lights today to blue..not easy
03 December 2005, 06:17 PM
#1
Changed dash lights today to blue..not easy
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...
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...
Last edited by SwissTony; 14 January 2009 at 08:45 AM.
Trending Topics
Group Buy anyone?
03 December 2005, 08:09 PM
#12
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 )
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
)
03 December 2005, 08:53 PM
#17
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 8,948
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
I know taking a dash apart is not easy. did it with my Astra.
Darren
03 December 2005, 10:13 PM
#22
Originally Posted by ru'
Quick question - is it just the pictures which are really dim?
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
04 December 2005, 12:37 AM
#23
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
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
04 December 2005, 09:56 AM
#24
Originally Posted by v5 man
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
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 likeCliff...
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
04 December 2005, 03:35 PM
#28
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
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 wrxhttp://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
04 December 2005, 06:09 PM
#29
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Some country and western
Posts: 13,488
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
Still can't see any point in all that time and effort....but each to there own.
Keep smiling.
04 December 2005, 07:53 PM
#30
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
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