Hondaswap.com | Honda Technical & JDM styling Forums

Andrew · 09-07-2006, 05:37 PM

Hey everyone, as you can see from my sig, I've recently been uploading some of my personal write-ups on different things regarding mostly EF's.
Heres my How To on making those gauge cluster lights really shine. Unfortunatly enough, and I'm really sorry, my motor is out of town getting built, so I don't have any before and after pics. But please be assured, it looks MUCH brighter and clearer.

Lets get to it.
You'll need:
-Small screwdriver. the screws are phillips head, but if it's small enough you can use a Flat head.
(Thats it!)

1. Start by locating the 4 screws that hold the gauge cluster cover on.

2. Remove them-

As for these two, just pop the little covers off and unscrew them.

3. As you start to pull the gauge cluster cover off, you'll feel some tension. Don't yank on it. Just look back behind it and you'll notice that your Hazard switch, Light dimmer, and rear defroster switches(if it's an SI) are holding it. Just unplug them and it will come right out.

4. On top of the gauge cluster you will find a small white plastic strip, the bulb housing. Unscrew the 2 screws holding it down and lift it up.

5. With this up, you'll see a reddish colored light defuser. Remove it. As you can see, that light defuser does a lot more than just turn the light the color orange. it actually blocks the majority of the light from the bulbs.

And thats all!

If you want color in your cluster, take a piece of plastic, whatever color you want, and cut it to size and put it where the OEM piece was.

Like I mentioned before, check my sig for other How To's, and as always, Comments are welcome.
-Andrew

brian11to1 · 10-29-2006, 04:30 AM

any before or after shots?

Andrew · 10-29-2006, 06:59 PM

There were a couple great pics posted up on H-T a while back.
Let me see if I can find them(it might be later tomorrow before I can get to it though)

-Andrew

NightCat · 11-11-2006, 11:43 AM

I wonder if you could do the following,

Cut a piece of plexiglass to the same size as the stock light difuser, then cut inside it to which you have a rectangle with no middle, then put a colored saran wrap over it and shove it back it.

it shouldn't defuse too much light cause of it's thinness however, it should give you the color you want.

89crxzc · 11-12-2006, 05:53 PM

thanks, i was trying to figure out how to get my gauge cluster brighter.

eg6sir · 11-12-2006, 06:27 PM

hmm.. i think i'll try and make mine amber on my EG.. i'll figure it out

Andrew · 11-12-2006, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightCat

I wonder if you could do the following,

Cut a piece of plexiglass to the same size as the stock light difuser, then cut inside it to which you have a rectangle with no middle, then put a colored saran wrap over it and shove it back it.

it shouldn't defuse too much light cause of it's thinness however, it should give you the color you want.

I've seen people do that, and it works great!

Go for it, and remember to take pics!

98DoHcWarrior · 11-12-2006, 09:17 PM

Hey man, this is a great Thread. Good Work...

Andrew · 11-13-2006, 07:08 AM

Thx

cor-e · 11-17-2006, 04:18 PM

Good stuff. I'll be doing that to my car. I love DIY (cuz I'm BROKE!).

fasterimage · 11-18-2006, 11:10 PM

Great write-up!! definetly will be doing that...Thank you

Andrew · 11-20-2006, 07:03 AM

Ur welcome

Alpine · 01-11-2007, 04:39 PM

I did it on my car. How much trouble did the dimmer plug give you? I couldn't get it out so I just lowered my wheel and moved it. I love it though and eventually will make it blue.

eg6sir · 01-11-2007, 05:00 PM

Amber FTW!!

Alpine · 01-11-2007, 05:11 PM

What did you do to make it amber?

eg6sir · 01-11-2007, 05:15 PM

for my EG cluster, i just bought amber bulbs and replaced the others with them

Alpine · 01-11-2007, 05:31 PM

Nice. Where did you get the bulbs?

eg6sir · 01-11-2007, 05:35 PM

Autozone, but i've heard you can just scratch the blue thing off the bulbs that are in the cluster and color them with a red sharpie and it gives it a darker amber color..

daveholiday · 08-28-2007, 10:39 PM

I know this thread was last active more than 7 months ago, but just for anyone reading this and thinking about doing it, it's the shit.

this is during the day too

EF9_Hatch · 08-28-2007, 10:57 PM

wow i really want to do that now lol...i want green ones...anyone know where u can get green saran wrap lol? is it the same steps in an ef?

LSacuragirl90 · 08-29-2007, 02:33 AM

well this is off topic but i like the steering wheel.

Andrew · 08-29-2007, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EF9_Hatch

wow i really want to do that now lol...i want green ones...anyone know where u can get green saran wrap lol? is it the same steps in an ef?

Just use Green LED's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSacuragirl90

well this is off topic but i like the steering wheel.

Check my sig for a write-up on installing an aftermarket wheel.

EF9_Hatch · 08-29-2007, 09:35 AM

Good Idea! Now where to find Green LED's that will work with that?

Andrew · 08-29-2007, 10:23 AM

First find out which bulbs you need:

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...lacementGuide/

Then buy LED's instead of halogens...

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b....12857&next=50

EF9_Hatch · 08-29-2007, 11:25 AM

Cool Thanks man! Definetly have to do this next time i get a chance!

09-07-2006, 05:37 PM	#1
Andrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 2,641 iTrader: 1 / 100% Ride: 1991 CRX Si Rep Power: 50	How To: Make your gauge cluster brighter and clearer. Hey everyone, as you can see from my sig, I've recently been uploading some of my personal write-ups on different things regarding mostly EF's. Heres my How To on making those gauge cluster lights really shine. Unfortunatly enough, and I'm really sorry, my motor is out of town getting built, so I don't have any before and after pics. But please be assured, it looks MUCH brighter and clearer. Lets get to it. You'll need: -Small screwdriver. the screws are phillips head, but if it's small enough you can use a Flat head. (Thats it!) 1. Start by locating the 4 screws that hold the gauge cluster cover on. 2. Remove them- As for these two, just pop the little covers off and unscrew them. 3. As you start to pull the gauge cluster cover off, you'll feel some tension. Don't yank on it. Just look back behind it and you'll notice that your Hazard switch, Light dimmer, and rear defroster switches(if it's an SI) are holding it. Just unplug them and it will come right out. 4. On top of the gauge cluster you will find a small white plastic strip, the bulb housing. Unscrew the 2 screws holding it down and lift it up. 5. With this up, you'll see a reddish colored light defuser. Remove it. As you can see, that light defuser does a lot more than just turn the light the color orange. it actually blocks the majority of the light from the bulbs. And thats all! If you want color in your cluster, take a piece of plastic, whatever color you want, and cut it to size and put it where the OEM piece was. Like I mentioned before, check my sig for other How To's, and as always, Comments are welcome. -Andrew __________________ 1991 CRX Si My Engine Swap Write-ups: HG FPR Wheel Smiley Cluster. Adapters.

10-29-2006, 04:30 AM	#2
brian11to1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,071 iTrader: 2 / 100% Rep Power: 113	any before or after shots?

10-29-2006, 06:59 PM	#3
Andrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 2,641 iTrader: 1 / 100% Ride: 1991 CRX Si Rep Power: 50	There were a couple great pics posted up on H-T a while back. Let me see if I can find them(it might be later tomorrow before I can get to it though) -Andrew

11-11-2006, 11:43 AM	#4
NightCat Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 80 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 8	I wonder if you could do the following, Cut a piece of plexiglass to the same size as the stock light difuser, then cut inside it to which you have a rectangle with no middle, then put a colored saran wrap over it and shove it back it. it shouldn't defuse too much light cause of it's thinness however, it should give you the color you want.

11-12-2006, 05:53 PM	#5
89crxzc I provide inspiration! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: ohio Age: 27 Posts: 911 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: crx si w/zc swap, 96 slammed accord, 06 toaster Rep Power: 29	thanks, i was trying to figure out how to get my gauge cluster brighter.

11-12-2006, 06:27 PM	#6
eg6sir Führer Mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: 661 BK CA Age: 30 Posts: 17,424 iTrader: 5 / 100% Ride: Le Car Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 643	hmm.. i think i'll try and make mine amber on my EG.. i'll figure it out

11-12-2006, 09:17 PM	#8
98DoHcWarrior Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 36 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 14	Hey man, this is a great Thread. Good Work...

11-13-2006, 07:08 AM	#9
Andrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 2,641 iTrader: 1 / 100% Ride: 1991 CRX Si Rep Power: 50	Thx

11-17-2006, 04:18 PM	#10
cor-e Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 113 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 9	Good stuff. I'll be doing that to my car. I love DIY (cuz I'm BROKE!).

11-18-2006, 11:10 PM	#11
fasterimage 2 SLOW CREW Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: State College, PA Age: 25 Posts: 124 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 88 Hatch and a harley Rep Power: 10	Great write-up!! definetly will be doing that...Thank you

11-20-2006, 07:03 AM	#12
Andrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 2,641 iTrader: 1 / 100% Ride: 1991 CRX Si Rep Power: 50	Ur welcome

01-11-2007, 04:39 PM	#13
Alpine Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Topeka, KS Age: 21 Posts: 51 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: EF9 Rep Power: 8	I did it on my car. How much trouble did the dimmer plug give you? I couldn't get it out so I just lowered my wheel and moved it. I love it though and eventually will make it blue.

01-11-2007, 05:00 PM	#14
eg6sir Führer Mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: 661 BK CA Age: 30 Posts: 17,424 iTrader: 5 / 100% Ride: Le Car Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 643	Amber FTW!!

01-11-2007, 05:11 PM	#15
Alpine Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Topeka, KS Age: 21 Posts: 51 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: EF9 Rep Power: 8	What did you do to make it amber?

01-11-2007, 05:15 PM	#16
eg6sir Führer Mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: 661 BK CA Age: 30 Posts: 17,424 iTrader: 5 / 100% Ride: Le Car Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 643	for my EG cluster, i just bought amber bulbs and replaced the others with them

01-11-2007, 05:31 PM	#17
Alpine Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Topeka, KS Age: 21 Posts: 51 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: EF9 Rep Power: 8	Nice. Where did you get the bulbs?

01-11-2007, 05:35 PM	#18
eg6sir Führer Mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: 661 BK CA Age: 30 Posts: 17,424 iTrader: 5 / 100% Ride: Le Car Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 643	Autozone, but i've heard you can just scratch the blue thing off the bulbs that are in the cluster and color them with a red sharpie and it gives it a darker amber color..

08-28-2007, 10:39 PM	#19
daveholiday Sonnova Bitch! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Age: 22 Posts: 1,712 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 2006 GSX-R 600, 91 EF w/ ZC swap Rep Power: 156	I know this thread was last active more than 7 months ago, but just for anyone reading this and thinking about doing it, it's the shit. this is during the day too

08-28-2007, 10:57 PM	#20
EF9_Hatch Yeah Join Date: May 2007 Location: Coraopolis, PA Age: 23 Posts: 1,001 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 67	wow i really want to do that now lol...i want green ones...anyone know where u can get green saran wrap lol? is it the same steps in an ef?

08-29-2007, 02:33 AM	#21
LSacuragirl90 Get the Point Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lynchburg, Virginia Age: 22 Posts: 158 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 2001 Grand Prix GTP Rep Power: 18	well this is off topic but i like the steering wheel.

08-29-2007, 09:35 AM	#23
EF9_Hatch Yeah Join Date: May 2007 Location: Coraopolis, PA Age: 23 Posts: 1,001 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 67	Good Idea! Now where to find Green LED's that will work with that?

Hondaswap.com | Honda Technical & JDM styling Forums

How To: Make your gauge cluster brighter and clearer.

How To: Make your gauge cluster brighter and clearer.

08-29-2007, 10:23 AM	#24
Andrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 2,641 iTrader: 1 / 100% Ride: 1991 CRX Si Rep Power: 50	First find out which bulbs you need: http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...lacementGuide/ Then buy LED's instead of halogens... http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b....12857&next=50

08-29-2007, 11:25 AM	#25
EF9_Hatch Yeah Join Date: May 2007 Location: Coraopolis, PA Age: 23 Posts: 1,001 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 67	Cool Thanks man! Definetly have to do this next time i get a chance!