strang3majik Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 (edited) First...I want to thank serpentkilla for giving me the quick run through, and letting me witness his blue lighted stuff and, Austin88ESIR for some of the pics, and for the general idea on this how to :thumbsup: Even though our cars are different already, I just had a want to make it even more so. Being tired of the dated orange lighting scheme, and already having the blue Mookeh Gauges, I decided to attack the clock and HVAC controls. As a bonus, I dug into a junkyard radio to find out how to change its colors, while I havent done it to mine yet...I have pics for a how to (on my radio anyway) Before we get started, I want to let you know, I am open to any questions about any steps, because, this is a lot to type, and I may not have elaborated on something PM me and I will answer you and add it in here. Oh...and sorry for the bookoo big pictures... Okay...to start, lets go with the basic needs for all three projects. - Both small and medium phillips and a small flat head screwdriver - I used the http://www.beyonddarwin.com/starion/intlightingpics/LEDstrip.jpg (but blue) Leds (got at Autozone) - soldering iron - electrical tape - dremel tool - transparent tape/plastic pieces (in desired color) - and no fear CLOCK Alright...lets start with the easiest, being the clock. I used 1 blue LED strip, and that was plenty. Once you remove it from the dash, pull the face off...leaving you with this. http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0224.jpg then...pull the LCD and brown board out of the back casing (pull straight out) http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0225.jpg remove the bulb, and run your wires through from the front through the bulb hole for the LEDs...being sure to remember, positive is the side closest to the computer chip...also, remove the 2 sided tape off the LED strip so it will fit for later http://www.beyonddarwin.com/starion/intlightingpics/newwiresolder.jpg now, solder the wires as seen above, and pull the wires completly through to the back leaving an inch or so in the front with the LED...also, put electrical tape over the soldering so no shorting with the back board occurs. (as seen below) http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0231.jpg Now, put the board and LCD back in place in the backing, and then, place the LED strip face down on the top of the clock LCD wires, and securing it with electrical tape, as below. http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0235.jpg Once it is secured, replace the face, gently fitting it over the LEDs, making sure tabs are all clicked in...install, and enjoy. Blue is very visible, both night and day. Also, this process is the same, regardless of color choice. END HVAC Controls I did this successfully with the 88-89 controls....however, the 87-prior controls I am unsure of with the silver buttons if the button color changing is any different. So, just a warning. Heres the fun one. While I didn't change the button color to blue (I chose red), it requires simply soldering in your color choice LEDs, and the remainder of the steps Ill show you. First, lets get rid of that crappy orange in the LCD. I used 1 LED strip, I recommend 2 for this to have better brightness....either way, its still okay. Remove the HVAC controls, and then, take the four screws out of the upper computer chip. Pull it straight out, also, removing both bulbs, and screws that are underneath the plastic. (these screws and bulbs seen in the center) http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0212.jpg http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0209.jpg now, here comes the part that brought most stress to me, but then turned out to be easy. (If you want red, you may skip this step) Take the LCD, and place a small flathead gently between the glass and white plastic, and twisting it gently. http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0213.jpg once you break the glue, gently peel the plastic away from the LCD (make sure screws and bulbs are removed) http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0215.jpg Here, you will see the culprit. The little jerk that took me forever to find http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0217.jpg Remove that orange little thing and throw it away, or keep it as a trophy to show you were brave enough to do this mod http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0218.jpg Now that you have the white plastic piece out, it will make the next part easier, but, if you are going red, you can leave the plastic in and do this. With your dremel, cut between the two white holes. I exagerrated it by accident, so just kept going, however, it should look some what similair to this. http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0243.jpg or, if you take your time and do it perfect, something like this http://www.beyonddarwin.com/starion/intlightingpics/acLED1.jpg Now place a LED strip over the open space, and secure it with electrical tape. As seen in all my ugly skillessness below http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0241.jpg If you decide to use 2 LED strips, do the same cutting method on the other side of the plastic, and perform the same task, however, be sure to make the LEDs flush with the plastic and cover it completely with tape for it has to fit below the LCD wires. http://www.beyonddarwin.com/starion/intlightingpics/acLED3.jpg Now, tape all remaining holes in the plastic up so that light doesnt escape. Now, carefully reinstall your plastic piece, and time to solder. Sorry for the blurry pic and crappy soldering, but, solder each LED strip to the Light bulb terminals...keep in mind, Positive is towards the bottom of the board, or nearest the plug/wires coming out of the bottom. Negative is nearest the LCD pins. I only used one LED, so, only one was soldered http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0240.jpg Now, tape the solder job up, and your LCD just pulled a Michael Jackson - Now, the BUTTONS This part is fairly simple for changing to red, for blue, you must solder LEDs and remove the filter which I will show. Take all the scres out of the main board on the HVAC controls...pull it gently straight out so not to bend any of the LEDs (these light up when each option is selectred in the corner) http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0247.jpg Now, gently take a flat screwdriver, and put on the end of the clear plastic piece behind the buttons, and gently pry...it should open like a door. http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0249.jpg Now, gently (so not to break the holders), pull the clear plastic piece away from the hinge towards the top of the button hole, and remove it. You may gently pry the plastic orange piece away from the clear (NO NEED IF YOU WANT RED), and you will be left with this. http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0251.jpg If you want red, no need to remove the above piece as I said, but, find some transparent plastic in your desired color, and place between the clear plastic and the button face, and put it back in. (Only works with red) Now...if you want a different color, time to use some laquer thinner and remove that orange paint from the filter...it will come out clear...get some transparent paint and paint it your desired hue... That along with your different colored LEDs should leave it the desired color. So, now, reinstall the motherboard gently, and straight on, then, follow that up with your LCD. And the HVAC controls are in your hue END Thanks, and hope I was of help. If you have any further questions or are just wondering more about a step, as I said...PM me so I can add more detail. strang3milk EDIT: I will add the radio separate...didn't know there was a limit on image linking. Edited February 23, 2009 by strang3majik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strang3majik Posted February 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 RADIO Now, for the horrid random green Mitsu radio. I have yet to do this to mine to see how it looks, however, using a junkyard radio I got, I disassembled to see how. my radio...all should be similair http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0258.jpg First, remove the face of the radio by removing the screws, and pulling straight out after pushing in the tabs. http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0259.jpg remove the screws in the board, remove to find light bulbs with what I like to call...Bulb Condoms Get rid of them to rid yourseld of green...or find some way to make the bulbs/bulb condoms a different color http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0261.jpg Now...moving on to the CD player...same thing remove the face http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0263.jpg These do not require removing the board...just twist and remove the bulbs, rid the bulb condoms...and, do whatever you did to make them the desired color, and reinstall...and put back together. http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/strang3majik/PICT0265.jpg Easy as that...As I said, I haven't yet done this, and am going to wait til I really want to remove the radio to do it...so...its untried, however, I beileve thats all there is to it. END Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eurotiva Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 Nice keep going man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coke Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 Suweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strang3majik Posted February 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 (edited) The end result on the HVAC controls, clock, and with the MK1 gauges, should look about like this. http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t134/d0d63r4m/0120092305a.jpg http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t134/d0d63r4m/0120092306d.jpg http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t134/d0d63r4m/0120092306b.jpg Ill add more as I change more Edited February 23, 2009 by strang3majik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolyrgr Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 (edited) http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t134/d0d63r4m/0120092306d.jpg Get a piece of frosted plastic from a file folder and put it between the bulbs and the display to diffuse the bulb pattern and even out the light to the numbers. You may have to double up to get the right effect. JR EDIT: if I remember right from when I did something similar a few years ago, there is a diffuser with the orange tint film. Edited February 23, 2009 by jolyrgr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strang3majik Posted February 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 (edited) Get a piece of frosted plastic from a file folder and put it between the bulbs and the display to diffuse the bulb pattern and even out the light to the numbers. You may have to double up to get the right effect. JR theres one in it already...but, it does need another. But, I think if you used 2 strips, and put one facing down and the other up...itd be fine, and brighter. Though, at night it is plenty bright. Also...figured Id add...1500 miles with all this stuff and no problems yet (ie - shorting out, catching fire, blowing fuses, blowing up...lol) Edited February 23, 2009 by strang3majik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19cturbo Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 so you can change the color f the buttons by taking the backing out and painting.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strang3majik Posted February 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 so you can change the color f the buttons by taking the backing out and painting.. yep...its a simple white light bulb behind it...you have to remove the orange first though, and make sure its transparent paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19cturbo Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 yep...its a simple white light bulb behind it...you have to remove the orange first though, and make sure its transparent paint. right, just some paint thinner to remove the orange or do you have a preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strang3majik Posted February 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 right, just some paint thinner to remove the orange or do you have a preference. that would work well...Im guess. I chipped it off, but, that was a sucky process, so, yeah...thinner would probably work well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustPaus_88TSi Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 You can also paint the very tips of the LED's white, and it'll also disperse the light evenly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrazilBoy Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 (edited) The things we men will do for a decent blue job amazes me. But at the end Orange you glad did so.... Looks awesome man.............. Edited February 23, 2009 by BRAZILBOY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin88ESiR Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 (edited) Good stuff, man! Edited February 23, 2009 by Austin88ESiR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strang3majik Posted February 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 The things we men will do for a decent blue job amazes me. But at the end Orange you glad did so.... Yes sir! and Austin88...used some of your pics...hope you dont mind...lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FijiPhil Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Looks awesome, i need to do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strang3majik Posted April 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 figured Id bump this, since I had a question or two about it. Going for the full facial now , with changing all the orange writing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DasGunner Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 (edited) figured Id bump this, since I had a question or two about it. Going for the full facial now , with changing all the orange writing. Ive found that the orange on the platic buttons pop right off with a pen knife.. Also there is plenty of transparent colored vinyl on Evilbay ,so a led would not be needed.. http://home.comcast.net/~dasgunner/AcController.jpg Also don`t bother popping out the fresh air button the orange has to stay... :mad: Edited May 4, 2009 by DasGunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strang3majik Posted May 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Ive found that the orange on the platic buttons pop right off with a pen knife.. Also there is plenty of transparent colored vinyl on Evilbay ,so a led would not be needed.. http://home.comcast.net/~dasgunner/AcController.jpg Also don`t bother popping out the fresh air button the orange has to stay... :mad: you could do that...won't be very bright though. And...if you were going for red, put a red LED behind the fresh air light, itll glow red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DasGunner Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 you could do that...won't be very bright though. And...if you were going for red, put a red LED behind the fresh air light, itll glow red. Ok added Blue LED`s behind the blue transparent vinyl ,looks much brighter in person the cam doesn`t do it justice... http://home.comcast.net/~dasgunner/AcController1.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strang3majik Posted May 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 cool...glad to see someone else tried it...lol Looks a lot better then mine does (since yours disperses the light) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DasGunner Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 Did a little more work on them ,made a short vid ,still a work in progress.... Led Ac controller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DzNutz Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 On mine I used some clear, color file folders from hobby lobby and Radio Shack LEDS (cheaper then VatoZone). Its not real hard. The hardest part is pulling the display apart with out cracking and ruining it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alp247 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 I'm going to agree with removing the orange lens. It is a little scary because you can almost feel as if it going to crack when prying open. The idea of adding the bar led is nice but it's just too much and not necessary. this is all you have to do: 1. Remove orange filter 2. Replace bulb with Led (your choice of color) 3. Wrap a piece of foil around the Led so it reflects back into the plastic 4. Put it back together and you'll have the same effect with less work and no modification at all. take a look a my picture. Don't mind that you can't see the numbers...it's just a bad picture shot but you get the idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alp247 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 (edited) I pretty much did the same effect on the my climate controls. Edited July 2, 2009 by alp247 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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