Rep Power: 248

So after a very long and drawn-out saga fighting various configurations of LEDs and colored packaging tape, I finally have finished this project. Gearbox was kind enough to snag the exact part I wanted and needed to do this right, a '01 Sedan Manual cluster with the black faces. After spending far too much time on half-baked ideas, I spent 15 minutes changing out a few parts, and bam.



Technically, the lights are pale green, but they're so pale you wouldn't realize they're not white unless I told you. I'm very happy with the results. The black matches the interior of the car much better than the silver ones did.

Oh, and sorry about the camera-phone pic.

 
Rep Power: 243

Gauges looks good... nice good.. what year is that gauge from 01-02?? ex or lx/dx?

 
Rep Power: 359

That is sharp. Where did you get the black faces?

 
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very nice......

 
Rep Power: 388

Congrats on the swap. But why doesnt your mileage show?

 
Rep Power: 379

Overrated

 
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It shows, I just felt like photoshopping it out for some reason. It's the same chip from the other cluster, I just changed the exterior pieces.


I'm not sure exactly what type, you'll have to ask Gear. All I know is it's an '01 Sedan MT.

Oh, and Steve, as soon as you post in here, more rep for you.

 
Rep Power: 388

^ same chip? what did you swap out exactly- just the "overlays" and keep the same guts of the cluster? Pics of the process would be cool.

BTW you must have some really rough hands- your almost due for a new steering wheel

 
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***** nice!!!

 
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i have black face gauges like that in my 01 lx if that helps

 
Rep Power: 248

I alluded to the three or four other ideas I tried. For all those processes, I took pictures and things like that, but this was so simple I didn't even bother. I just took it apart as per the instruction manual. The highlighted part in the picture below is the only thing that the explosion doesn't show. But that is really simple, no screws or anything. The needles pull straight off, and then you remove the four plastic snap rings and lift off the gauge faces. Then you've got a white plastic casing around the PC board that snaps off. Then that time-honored phrase comes into play: "Installation is the reverse of removal."




And about the wheel, yeah, it was like that when I got the car two years ago. It's just worn out. I was looking into getting a new steering wheel when I spied this on handaaccessories.com and I think I might go for it. It looks to be just what I need, as the rim is the only part that's worn out. It's genuine leather, OEM, and sewn on. I usually consider steering wheel covers tacky for obvious reasons, but this seems to be an exception to the rule.

 
Rep Power: 812

yeah its nice, just be sure to follow the sewing instructions or you could end up ruining it lol. nice gauges, so you went with white leds?

 
Rep Power: 0

I got that steering wheel cover way back when, just take your time while doing it or youll just get sick of it and rip it off like I did, i thought it was tight when i stitched it but it ended up loosening up and looked awful.

take your time while applying it hehe.

 
Rep Power: 248

Actually, I got tired of soldering in tiny spaces, so I just put the incandescent bulbs from the cluster you sent me in the old one.

And yeah, I'll be reallllll careful with the cover. I'm debating taking off the steering wheel to do it.

 
Rep Power: 812

its fine on the car, just pull really hard, dont be afraid to rip the leather, it can take it. and do it on a warm day too so that it doesnt expand later.

 
Rep Power: 273

hey gear... how hard is it to change the blue to red in the 03-05 guages? its the only thing i wanna change without having to totally change out clusters. thanks! sorry to thread jack...

 
Rep Power: 248

You mean like change the color? I'll let Gear say for sure, but I'm 99% positive that the 03-05 clusters use flat LEDs that are a bitch-and-a-half to change, and it may not be possible. You know the kind I'm talking about? That are like 1 mm tall?

 
Rep Power: 273

yea i know that kind.. i remeber gear trying to do the 03-05 clusters a couple years back but i think he was having trouble with the needles... i could be wrong tho. gear post up and let me know...thanks!

 
Rep Power: 812

those clusters cant be opened without breaking it. and even if you do, the cluster only has white leds (and red for needles). the blue is a color filter built into the face itself. so theres no way to make that red. youre better off just getting a coupe cluster and swapping it.

 
Rep Power: 273

oh ok .. so the 03-05 coupes are the ones with red clusters and the 03-05 sedans like mine come in the blue?? would it be a plug and play swap?? cuz i got a 03 sedan. thanks gear!

 
Rep Power: 812

yup plug and play. this is 03-05 lx/ex cluster for coupe. 03-05 lx/ex sedan has blue ring and uses the same plug config.

coupe

 
Rep Power: 252

For future reference they are called surface mount leds...

 
Rep Power: 812

ya heres a pic of the board and leds. everything is led, even the engine icons.

 
Rep Power: 248

THAT'S IT!


I knew there was a name for them, but I couldn't remember what it was for the life of me. Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 314

Soooo where is the DIY's...

 
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Didn't you read the first page? It doesn't require one...

 
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thanks gear!!! i'll start to look for one now!!!

 
Rep Power: 314

nope

 
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Well, there you go.

 
Rep Power: 314

lol k

thanks