Center dash controls backlighting
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just wondering how the a/c and heater controls are lit up on my '01 LX coupe. I want to change them from amber to blue and was wondering if it is simply a bulb, bulb cover or whatever to change out. Also if someone could provide a link to removal of the center dash cluster (i know it is on here somewhere) thanks.
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there is a tiny bulb inside the control button. you pop the little A/C button off and then you can kinda see it. you can either put LED's in there (great look, but a lot of work) or put gel covers over them (easy and works, but light gets very dim).
http://www.7thgencivic.com/modules.p...howpage&pid=53
^^^ link to console removal. post pics of whatever you do. BTW, that is in the DIY area, on the left column of the page (every page, in fact)
http://www.7thgencivic.com/modules.p...howpage&pid=53
^^^ link to console removal. post pics of whatever you do. BTW, that is in the DIY area, on the left column of the page (every page, in fact)
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I did it the cheap way. I took it apart. Behind the buttons and behind the **** areas there is orange tint which can be removed. I replaced the orange tint with blue, which actually came off of a tranparent blue folder that I picked up at Office Max.
Just use the old orange peices as patterns to cut out your new blue ones. I had to put 3 and 4 layers of the blue folder on, because 1 layer made the lights look white, and it took a few layers to get the blue color I wanted. I used rubber cement to hold the layers together and to attach to the console peice. I'm happy with it and it was a cheap way to do it. Costed me under a buck for the folder.
Just use the old orange peices as patterns to cut out your new blue ones. I had to put 3 and 4 layers of the blue folder on, because 1 layer made the lights look white, and it took a few layers to get the blue color I wanted. I used rubber cement to hold the layers together and to attach to the console peice. I'm happy with it and it was a cheap way to do it. Costed me under a buck for the folder.
Yes, it's an Acura EL
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Yes. But you know, if you have a soldering iron, it's pretty much the same amount of time to LED the light as to filter it. It's a personal preference thing at that point, but the amount of work is about the same, might take a FEW minutes more.
Yes, it's an Acura EL
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If done right the first time, the LED's will last a very very long time - they don't burn out like conventional bulbs. The lighting behind the console is not from 194 or 168 bulbs. It's from tiny incandescent bulbs in twist sockets, which as far as I've seen are not available anywhere outside of a Honda dealer.
Some LED's could last up to 30 yrs, there is no filliment like a bulb. They are diodes. Even a cheap LED could probably last 5 or 10 yrs. An easier way to do the LED is buy a 3 pack at auto zone or best buy. $6.99 and it already has the resistor on them. To get a wider light band, I sand mine down.
I used 200 grit, and sanded down far enough but not too far as it would hit the diode. if you keep looking at it from the side you can tell. It is about half of the LED that is sanded off but no more than that.......To give you an idea, if you don't sand it and put it under the gauges, it will light up 1 number or so, but if you do sand it, it will light up about 3 numbers.
Yes, it's an Acura EL
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Or if you have a Dremel and that tiny little sanding drum attachment for it, use that. I do, and it's much faster. It also helps to shave the sides...that way you can actually get a 5mm to fit.
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go here.. its basically a diy for changing your center console colors http://www.99accord.com/index.asp
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I did a complete rewire with leds and tapped into the parking light wire. There is info in my glow needle diy in my sig. It has a paragraph of how leds work and stuff.
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