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DIY: Dash Lights Part II

 
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Old May 20, 2002
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DIY: Dash Lights Part II

This is the 2nd part of this DIY, which gives you instructions on how to change the lights of your cruise/moonroof/mirror switches from green (or orange, depending on the trim of your vehicle) to another color of your choice. For instructions on changing your Headunit lights, look at Part I.

Alright, to do this, you will need:
1x Philips Head Screwdriver
1x Large Flat-Head Driver (or other prying device) wrapped in electrical tape. This will keep from scratching the dashboard
1x Small Flat-Head ScrewDriver
1x sheet (aprox 1 square-foot) of colored lens paper. I suggest going to a local music shop and asking them for a colored "gel." It's a sheet of colored transparent plastic used in stage lighting. These work really well because they're designed to withstand high-heat and will not fade over time. It should only cost about $6 for a 2' x 2' sheet, which is more than enough.
1x X-Acto knife
1x Cutting surface
Glue, or other adhesive

Step 1.
Empty out your coin tray.

Step 2.
Inside you will see one philips screw which you will need to remove.

Step 3.
Pop that whole dash-piece off. Just pull, it comes right off.

Step 4.
Un-plug the wires to the various switches.

Step 5.
You should now have that whole assembly seperated from the dash.

Step 6.
Each button pops out from that dash piece, you might have to push a little hard. Be careful of the mirror button, there's a metal fastener that falls off - it can easily be put back on though, just don't lose it. Pop each of the switches out one at a time.

Step 7.
We'll do the cruise button first - there's two 'tabs', one on the top and one on the bottom of the switch. Use these to remove the front cover of the switch. Again, there's a small clear plastic piece that could fall out. Don't lose that. Now, the easiest way to change the color is to put a colored lens inside the face of the switch. You'll need to take out the bulb that's inside the switch. On one side of the switch is a round 'thing' (I don't know what else to call it [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]) using the small flat-head screw-driver, turn it a quarter turn to the left (counter-clockwise) and then pull it out. You might need to use your screw-driver and tap the bulb from the other end, because it's a little tricky. Remove the green colored 'condom' that's on the bulb. It pulls right off, just wiggle a little bit. Once it's off, replace the bulb and lock it back into place. Now cut out a piece of your colored gel, or whatever you're using, and trim it so it fits inside the face of the switch. You might want to use glue (or tape) to secure it, but if you cut the piece the right size, you shouldn't need to. Carefully put the switch cover back on, and set it aside.

Step 8.
The Moonroof switch I don't have, because I have an LX - college kid on a budget, what can I say - so you'll have to figure that out, but I'm PRETTY sure that it's the same (or similar) to the cruise switch.

Step 9.
Now, the mirror switch. On the back of it you'll find 4 slots; use your flat-head to pry the back piece off. It takes a little finesse - loosen the bottom two first, then the top two. Once it's off, you'll see the light bulb is soddered into the circuit-board. Again, take the condom off the bulb. Cut another piece of your colored gel and place it inside the center of the switch cover. Cut it a little longer that the gap, and then place it inside length-wise - that way it staysput. You could also use some glue, or tape, to secure it in place. Now, carefully put the switch back together until it snaps into place.

Step 10.
Put each switch back into it's socket on the dashboard piece. Remember the metal piece for the mirror.

Step 11.
Plug each switch back in again.

Step 12.
Replace the entire assembly back into the dash, so that the tabs all click into place.

Step 13.
Thighten the screw back in place.

Step 14.
Re-fill your change cup. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]

Step 15.
Wait until dark, or find a dark garage, and then turn on your headlights to see how it looks.

That's it, you're finished! It sounds a lot harder than it really is. I figured most of this out on my own, so you shouldn't have too much trouble. I'll try and get some pictures up in the next couple days to make it easier for you. In the meantime, if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at this address. Good luck!

- Josh W.
<< civicracer@mindless.com >>

Note: If any of these directions don't make sense, just lemme know. I'll do my best to clarify. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]
Old May 20, 2002
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Nice Name BlueFlame!
Old May 21, 2002
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Thanks man ..
 
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