Change the color of your gauges - Honda Forum / Acura Forum

standdstill · 12-07-2003, 06:09 PM

*For an Acura Integra, but i think youcould do the same to others

Step 1: Go to the local auto store or Wal-Mart, and buy three 194 bulbs, the color of your choice. Here's what I used

Step 2: Remove the two screws, at the top of the gauge overlay, and slide the gauge overlay out. Then, remove the screws holding in the gauge cluster(1 on the right, 1 on the left, and 1 on top) then, remove the three harnesses from the back of the gauge cluster.

Step 3: Now that you got the cluster out, unscrew the three spots where the bulbs are(circled in the picture below), take out the old bulbs, and put in the new ones.

Step 4: Plug the harnesses back up, screw the cluster in, screw the overlay in, and sit back and ENJOY!!!

(gauges are a lot brighter in person)

theforeman · 12-09-2003, 01:44 AM

i have one problem with this. i have bought those exact lights. same brand and everything. the color fades. quickly. if i were you. i would of ordered 194 puch in leds. 2 or 4 bubls. probably 4. anywho leds dont run as hot. last longer when installed in the right terminals. (light haveing the bulb backwards) and will still the same color for the life of the bulb.

as i said these fade quickly. i wont be supprised if you have to change them within a month becuase they go clear. i had them on my door lights. my door lights arent on all that often and if you do alot of night driving it will fade even sooner

ninjacookies · 12-09-2003, 05:18 AM

I can't see anything on the speedo.

You lose a ton of light output when you go color bulbs, most especially dark colors.

I put in giant size regular wedge bulbs on mine and changed the backing color on my gauges with transparent colored sticky tabs.
Looks like custom reverse indiglo at night (since it lights up the entire cabin) and stock by day.

HondaGuyEli · 12-13-2003, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ninjacookies
I can't see anything on the speedo.

You lose a ton of light output when you go color bulbs, most especially dark colors.

I put in giant size regular wedge bulbs on mine and changed the backing color on my gauges with transparent colored sticky tabs.
Looks like custom reverse indiglo at night (since it lights up the entire cabin) and stock by day.

Could you please post pics, and just simply what bulbs you used where and what sticky tabs you used where? Thanks.

shelleyo17 · 12-13-2003, 11:06 PM

I just bought a 2004 Civic Coupe DX and the interior dash and hvac control lighting is orange! I heard through this guy who installed my speakers that the lights are actually LEDs and they can't be changed. If anyone has any suggestions or knows differently about how I can make the interior a different color I would be very grateful. I would love to be able to have everything look consistent within my car. Most of the decks out there are either green or blue...PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

VTECFREAK · 12-13-2003, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ninjacookies
I can't see anything on the speedo.

You lose a ton of light output when you go color bulbs, most especially dark colors.

I put in giant size regular wedge bulbs on mine and changed the backing color on my gauges with transparent colored sticky tabs.
Looks like custom reverse indiglo at night (since it lights up the entire cabin) and stock by day.

Yeah post some pics, I know you have a 4th gen accord so maybe a little tutorial for the dumb shits like me

ninjacookies · 12-14-2003, 01:37 AM

Surely....

This is a pic of my cluster during the day: (sorry most of these images I had to use still captures from my camcorder...gotta re-borrow my dad's digicam sometime and get some new shots)

taken at about 5pm in the afternoon...shows just how bright the cluster is (of course you can dim them according to your preference with the stock dimmer switch)

unlighted cluster in the afternoon

cluster at night...sorry my digicam has crappy focus, but this shot shows the difference in colors, since I put little transparent sticky tabs behind each individual hash mark to make them green like my exterior color (you can choose any color you want)

how it looks outside the car

I used to have white, 5 color indiglos but changed it out because I like the stock look at day, and the lighting really shines up the cabin and gives it that subtle aftermarket look at night.

Wish I could do dark L.E.D. blue, but I think that's pretty much impossible with our 4th gens without losing tons of output because the back of each gauge face actually has transparent turquoise built in.

As for the bulbs, I just replaced all the stock 194 mini wedge bulbs (3 of them) with 3 large wedge bulbs (model 7440), usually used in backup or signal lamps.

You could go with hyper white or red or blue or whatever, but I just went with regular clear cheap 99 cent ones at the local auto store and I'm happy with em. I'd rather go with oem bulbs and not take the risk on crappy second hand manufacturer bulbs and have to keep re-opening the dash.

And the sticky tabs...hermm...I'll have to take a pic of those too...they're just regular little 'sticky' pieces of tape with colored tabs at the end....they're meant to be book page markers, and you can find em at most any book or hobby store or in the school supplies section.

I'll take better pics soon.

rnstein69 · 12-14-2003, 01:04 PM

it looks good ninjacookies-damn-thats pretty bright at night-it doesnt distract you while your driving at night??

ninjacookies · 12-14-2003, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rnstein69
it looks good ninjacookies-damn-thats pretty bright at night-it doesnt distract you while your driving at night??

thx man...but nah it doesn't distract me at all...at full brightness it is about as bright if not a little brighter than my old indiglos...which helps me stay awake lol. I can always dim em if I need to with the stock dimmer switch, but haven't had a problem so far.

HondaGuyEli · 12-14-2003, 07:34 PM

Hey, don't know if any of you can help me. I have a 96 Civic and I putting in some custom made white faced gauges but I'm having trouble getting the needles off the guages. I broke one off already and i'm pissed at myself now. On my friends 94 Civic they just popped off, but mine don't. I need some help here.

mrmyz · 12-15-2003, 10:43 AM

nice i think i will do the same thing. I wanted after market style lights for the night but during the day i dont like that shitty white color they have i would just prefer it to look stock

shelleyo17 · 12-15-2003, 11:23 AM

Does anyone have a 2004 Civic? I heard that the interior dash lights are different in these, as opposed to older models...and that they can't be changed! Anyone know anything about this?

rnstein69 · 12-15-2003, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ninjacookies
thx man...but nah it doesn't distract me at all...at full brightness it is about as bright if not a little brighter than my old indiglos...which helps me stay awake lol. I can always dim em if I need to with the stock dimmer switch, but haven't had a problem so far.

heehe-stupid me-i forgot about that dimmer switch-:bh:

mrmyz · 12-15-2003, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shelleyo17
Does anyone have a 2004 Civic? I heard that the interior dash lights are different in these, as opposed to older models...and that they can't be changed! Anyone know anything about this?

yeah they changed them in either 02 or 03 i forget which year they made them look cooler

theforeman · 12-16-2003, 01:23 AM

im sure they can be changed. pretty much anyhting can be changed with time and money

but if its leds its a lil harder but then not to bad either.