how to change the color of your interior dash lights?

Stereo, security systems, vehicle electronics, and electrical-related discussions
Post Reply
RobK
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2010 12:32 am

how to change the color of your interior dash lights?

Post by RobK »

I don't like the red color behind the steering wheel where you see your MPH, gas guage and RPMs. I want to make them blue. How do I do this?
DJ_Losch_411
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Jan 13, 2011 12:42 pm

Re: how to change the color of your interior dash lights? (RobK)

Post by DJ_Losch_411 »

its quite complicated... lol. youre pretty good with electronics if you can do it
*2005 Stock Vibe GT* *Kawi Racer* See My Garage http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=43702
epcIII
Posts: 685
Joined: Sat Oct 28, 2006 12:00 pm

Re: how to change the color of your interior dash lights? (DJ_Losch_411)

Post by epcIII »

Quote, originally posted by DJ_Losch_411 »its quite complicated... lol. youre pretty good with electronics if you can do it x2But there is an old thread out there of a member who has done just that. Do a search and you'll find it. The search feature is your friend! Oh, and welcome to Genvibe!
09vGT
Posts: 1457
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:36 am
Location: Little Rock, AR

Post by 09vGT »

I wish it was simple.. I have NO idea what was going through their minds when they decided to do red and white gauges, and leave all the other lights in the car orange.. bugs the crap out of me!At least the older generation matches.. I'm jealous..
06pvibe
Posts: 1571
Joined: Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:49 pm
Location: Manor (Austin,) Texas

Re: how to change the color of your interior dash lights? (RobK)

Post by 06pvibe »

IIRC, it involves over 20 LEDs. You must completely disassemble the cluster and desolder the old ones, then correctly solder in the new ones.Personally, I don't dislike the look THAT much, but to each his/her own.
FJ's Garage Thread "There is no tool you can buy that will replace experience." - Josh Mills, C.K.DeLuxe January 2011 GenVibe MOTM
RobK
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2010 12:32 am

Post by RobK »

nope! After hearing all the suggestions, I think I'm going to keep the factory colors... thanks anyway everybody!
epcIII
Posts: 685
Joined: Sat Oct 28, 2006 12:00 pm

Re: how to change the color of your interior dash lights? (RobK)

Post by epcIII »

In case you change your mind, here's a thread where they did that: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=37756
VibeBear
Posts: 101
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 8:23 am

Post by VibeBear »

I hated that my '09 had a red/white instrument cluster & orange bulbs on the rest of the dash, so I changed out the orange LED's for white ones... that part was easy.We swapped out all the red LED's in our G6 for blue ones. Wasn't too difficult, the only issue I had was with the cluster, the LEDs are about the size of a grain of rice & I have large fingers. Push to hard to hold them down & they'd shoot across the room :S
Image
1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS 305/5-speed, Bright Dark Teal
2009 Pontiac Vibe Base 1.8L/5-speed, Carbon Grey
ponta2147
Posts: 1478
Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2009 5:49 am

Re: (VibeBear)

Post by ponta2147 »

Quote, originally posted by VibeBear »I hated that my '09 had a red/white instrument cluster & orange bulbs on the rest of the dash, so I changed out the orange LED's for white ones... that part was easy.We swapped out all the red LED's in our G6 for blue ones. Wasn't too difficult, the only issue I had was with the cluster, the LEDs are about the size of a grain of rice & I have large fingers. Push to hard to hold them down & they'd shoot across the room :SDo you have any kind of How-To for that for the '09 (at least how to get in to where the lights are- my husband is pretty good with LEDs themselves). I don't care so much about the ones in the headunit area itself because we're probably going to swap out that whole thing, but all the other orange lights we want to swap for either white or red to match (depending on what would make more sense).I can't stand the orange all over the rest of the car either. I love the red LEDs in the G6 (and also in the Terrain, our future replacement for the G6, apparently).
2009 2.4L Automatic with Preferred Package and Sun and Sound package May 2010 MOTM March 2011 VOTM
epcIII
Posts: 685
Joined: Sat Oct 28, 2006 12:00 pm

Re: how to change the color of your interior dash lights? (RobK)

Post by epcIII »

Wo, wo, wo... wait a second! You guys have ORANGE lights in your car! *pukes* I really didn't know that. Thought they were all red. That's the only reason I will never buy a Nissan. I just cannot stand orange lights in a car. *pukes again just thinking about it*
RobK
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2010 12:32 am

Re: (VibeBear)

Post by RobK »

hey thanks for the link on this topic! It does seem a bit tedious, but that is a great step by step how to and I'll be sure to follow through with the project soon...
09vGT
Posts: 1457
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:36 am
Location: Little Rock, AR

Re: how to change the color of your interior dash lights? (epcIII)

Post by 09vGT »

I like the orange.. I would rather have the orange instead of the red on the speedometer.. Seem the red gets a little harsh at night.. especially when my contacts start to dry out..The red is prettier though..
BLargal
Posts: 90
Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:31 am

Re: how to change the color of your interior dash lights? (09vGT)

Post by BLargal »

*lifts a hand up in question* you do know that in the 09 vibe (assuming 10 as well) that the trip meter button you can twist to dim the dashboard as low as you want it or as bright as you want it right?
Wolfman213
Posts: 1377
Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:58 am
Location: Anderson, IN

Re: (RobK)

Post by Wolfman213 »

Quote, originally posted by RobK »hey thanks for the link on this topic! It does seem a bit tedious, but that is a great step by step how to and I'll be sure to follow through with the project soon...It can definitely be tedious. For me though, the most worrisome part is the placement of the needles on the gauges. I'm probably going to be taking it back out this month and changing up the gauges again just to see what I like best. Really love the blue, but I think I'm going to mix green in there. Possibly orange though, but if they do blend it will look brown. It's fun though once you get the first time under your belt.
April 2010 Co-MOTM * Custom LED Gauge Cluster swap * LED dome, HVAC, and shifter * Retrofit projector w/ blue halo * Kenwood KDC-HD942U * Herculined cargo area * Debadged *Wolfman's Garage
Post Reply