DIY - Change your Gauge Cluster Color

[vodkalush]

Description:
To change every none-white indicator light to either white or blue.

****The backlighting to the Speedometer and Tach use a piece of "smoked plastic/acryllic" to spread the light of serveral LEDs across the face of the speedo and various parts of the cluster, meaning any replacement color would be slightly "smoked" or slightly darker then the attended output color. My theory is that if you use a higher output LED then you could offset the "smoke".


Tools Needed:
- Philips head screw driver
- Hands
- Soldering Iron (with small tip)
- 30 New LEDS’s
*** I ordered these White LEDS - http://www.eled.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=LEDs&category%5Fname=White+SMD+LED&product%5Fid=EPT2012RWF%2DA (replaced stock white with theses; not necessary)
*** I ordered these Blue LEDs - http://www.eled.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=LEDs&category%5Fname=Blue+SMD+LED&product%5Fid=EP2012PBC%2DA (replaced all non-white with these; well until i ran out :-) )

- Extra Solder
- Needle nose pliers

Instructions:

1. Remove outer “molding” around stereo and guage cluster
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/101.jpg

2. Remove both sets of wire’s going to gauge cluster, then unscrew two screws holding the gauge cluster
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/102.jpg

3. Bring the cluster indoors to a static free environment (or have a static wrist band).
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/103.jpg

4. Flip over the guage cluster, unscrew the 3 screws, then pop the black tabs, remove white backing
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/104.jpg

5. Remove “raised board,” lift+pull straight out
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/105.jpghttp://kgillette.googlepages.com/106.jpg

6. Flip over gauge cluster, and then pull out the “gauge needles” (pull from base of the needle;the round part, they are on tight, but will come loose)
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/107.jpg

7. Admire the bare circuit board :drools:; take note of the LED positions
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/108.jpg

8. Use pliers and “grip” middle of OEM LED, use the soldering iron in other hand and heat up one point of the LED solder point and then lift with the pliers on that side of the LED, after one side is free heat-up the other side of the LED and lift the LED off the board.
There is an arrow at the bottom of the LED point the arrow in the same direction as the arrow on the circuit board and re=solder the LED (please Google “how to solder” if you are not familiar with soldering) (x30ish)
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/109.jpg

9. After repeating step 8 on all LED colors that you wish to change, then reverse the steps to put back together the Gauge Cluster (make sure you put the longer gauge needle on the speedometer)
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/110.jpg


hope this helps

[bigsky2]

vodka is good!

Thank you sir :cool:

[vodkalush]

:thumbsup:

[Violin]

Sweet!

Did you have any trouble getting the needles put back on correctly?

[Violin]

What LEDs did you use? Where did you get them?

[vodkalush]

edited first post to include LEDs; I'm also going to work on labling the circuit-board picture with a "layout map," that that prob wont happen until the end of the week.

[vodkalush]

Sweet!

Did you have any trouble getting the needles put back on correctly?

nope, they slip right back on, when you plug the cluster back in (well atleast mine seemed to) the needles seem to "re-align" themselves

[vodkalush]

if anyone does this and only has a speedometer (no tach) but notices that they have 2 of these (pic below) please PM me.

[punch]

guess chino owes you some booze!

[Violin]

Thanks for this vodka - I hope the hatch is similar.

What soldering iron do you use for this work?

[vodkalush]

some cheap-o radio shack one; however now thinking about it, I did use a small tipped soldering point.

1st post updated.

[Katana]

Perfect!

Wish I could find a DIY for mine!

[vodkalush]

the design shouldnt have changed that much from the 06-07.... and there really shouldnt be a real difference between the LB and Sedan (other then physical size), takeing apart the whole thing (include car removal) should take maybe 10-15mins. I say give it a shot.

[Katana]

Thanks for anwsering!

Well, the thing is that mine is digital!

[vodkalush]

Thanks for anwsering!

Well, the thing is that mine is digital!

well you know that means that you could change the "backlighting" of the digital read outs (a pic would help), I'm gonna take a guess and say that the construction of the housing is similar but the amount of soldering will go up drasticly (the sedans intergrated LCD uses 32 LEDs and its only somthing like 3x5inches (or somthing like that) )

[paultyler_82]

There is a big difference between LB and Sedan, the Sedans use standard LED backlit gauges like the celica, the LB's use Optitron, which, as I understand, is high contrast white LED's behind layers of colored and smoked acryllic. As for the Digital readouts... you might try disassembling your cluster and attaching colored celophane paper to the segment LEDs underneath, this is what i30 and Maxima people do to change the digital displays on thier radios, A/C's, and clocks.

[Katana]

I am planning on disassembling the panel, to figure out what's behind.

[vodkalush]

There is a big difference between LB and Sedan, the Sedans use standard LED backlit gauges like the celica, the LB's use Optitron, which, as I understand, is high contrast white LED's behind layers of colored and smoked acryllic. As for the Digital readouts... you might try disassembling your cluster and attaching colored celophane paper to the segment LEDs underneath, this is what i30 and Maxima people do to change the digital displays on thier radios, A/C's, and clocks.


well as far as the speedo-tach-and "backlighting" then the sedan is the same way, I wasnt interested in chaning the backlighting (just the gauge cluseter indicators) but, you could change all the LEDs; which include the lighting to the smoked arcyllic (it seems to use what I'm gonna call "light tubes" to lite the acryllic) if you change the "backlight color" the outcome will be a slightly darker color then what you buy; so if you get a "high intensity" LED you might be able to make up from the "smoke"

edit:
but then again the only way to know for sure is to have someone with an LB take apart their gauge cluster to see just whats there (a posted pic for verification would be flipp'n sweet)

[vodkalush]

I have updated some information in the first post.

[Violin]

When I took mine apart before, I didn't see any LEDs and was pretty confused. I'll have another go at it and post some photos.

[H8SGAS]

Yet again great work......You know it's a new car right? :biggrin: (<---for the rest of you this is a joke from the WNY Meets)

[Beau]

http://kgillette.googlepages.com/110.jpg



What about your parking indicator? Why is it still Green?
Is there a way to make that blue as well?

[vodkalush]

haha, yeah, its still green because I mis-judged the amount of LEDs that I would need, I didnt have enough for either the gear indicators or the door indicator. I will be finishing the color change, but not till after christmas (everythings to hecktic :-) )

[||)) (o) ||\||]

Ok after a few dumb mistakes and 3 packs of smokes later, heres my outcome of my gauge cluster led change! Keep in mind the stereo screen isnt that bright in person. Kudos to Mr.Vodka!

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r153/donmaxon/Picture009.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r153/donmaxon/Dash2.jpg

[||)) (o) ||\||]

Heres a little more clear of a picture. Sorry just wanted to bump the thread
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r153/donmaxon/Picture003.jpg

[vodkalush]

Nice to see some other brave soles out there! I like the theme it ties in the whole center together :thumbsup:

[vodkalush]

Update For LB Owners: This can be done on a LB

It wont be for a little while, but I will post a modified DIY, as the Cluster looks a little different when taking it apart.

Will keep you all updated.

[Jem_hadar]

Update For LB Owners: This can be done on a LB

It wont be for a little while, but I will post a modified DIY, as the Cluster looks a little different when taking it apart.

Will keep you all updated.

NICE! Thank you, looking forward to reading your post. I have a Canadian Hatchback, and I want to change just the backlighting from the bright white light, to a nice blue, like that used in VWs!! :cool:

FROM THIS:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/galleries/2006/images/toyota/2006_toyota_yaris/06yaris5_12.jpg

TO THIS:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/galleries/2007/images/volkswagen/2007_vw_rabbit/07rabbit_gw_4-1478.jpg


(EDIT: I wonder if it'd be a problem if i DID NOT wannt to change as well the white lighting of the right-hand box part that holds the fuel bars, ODO and time? I'd like that left white as it is, but just change the lighting for the tach and speedo to blue!)
heheh and *maybe* the other warnings to red instead of the orange colour ;)

[vodkalush]

I dont think you'll have problem with doing the switch... yours may be a little diff when taking it apart (as there is a slight difference with the LB cluster versus the Sedan) but its all pretty straight forward.. just be sure to take your time :thumbsup:

[vodkalush]

oh yah: dont make the mistake I did, be sure to take the cluster apart and count how many LEDs you will need and then add another 5 (in case of mistakes/loss) before you order the new LEDs or else you may end up with a 3/4 completed cluster like mine :frown:

[theFEVA]

i have a red sedan and was debating on whether to change all of the interior lights to red, or red and blue... does anyone have feedback on how the red leds would look? also for the dome lights im worried the light will look a lil pink... suggestions please

[R0ME0]

Any update on this vodka for the liftback?

[brickhardmeat]

I think he fell off the face of the earth.

[vodkalush]

haha, lifes been busy as all....

The liftback cluster can be changed.... chino tore his apart and took some pics. In-fact the lb cluster will be easier to change (as there are less LEDs to change out)

[ChinoCharles]

haha, lifes been busy as all....

The liftback cluster can be changed.... chino tore his apart and took some pics. In-fact the lb cluster will be easier to change (as there are less LEDs to change out)

Yeah, then I spent the next month trying to get the speedo pin not to stick at 40 MPH. That cluster is a PITA.

[brickhardmeat]

I got my blue LED's today for the cluster and the stereo. I ordered 100 so hopefully i will have enough. I am going to have to beg my Dad to help me out with this one. This is his kind of thing though so hopefully I can get him into it. I'll post some pics of the L/B whenever I finally get it completed. I am wondering if there is a way to removed the greenish layer in the cluster. Looks like it is all one piece. I really wouldn't mind it staying white but I hate the green lines.

[brickhardmeat]

by the way these suckers are freakin' tiny as freak, what the freak

gonna need a microscope

[ChinoCharles]

I got my blue LED's today for the cluster and the stereo. I ordered 100 so hopefully i will have enough. I am going to have to beg my Dad to help me out with this one. This is his kind of thing though so hopefully I can get him into it. I'll post some pics of the L/B whenever I finally get it completed. I am wondering if there is a way to removed the greenish layer in the cluster. Looks like it is all one piece. I really wouldn't mind it staying white but I hate the green lines.

100 is going to be a ton of overkill. Lucky for you I need the same ones. I'll take a cluster's worth off your hands when you're done. PM sent.

[yrsdrgn]

Take some pics of the underside of the LB cluster!!!!! Must look at by pictures before attempting install myself!!!! Thanks :thumbsup:

[Jem_hadar]

Take some pics of the underside of the LB cluster!!!!! Must look at by pictures before attempting install myself!!!! Thanks :thumbsup:

indeed! +1

[vodkalush]

haha, overkill is def better the underkill (as it is in my case) --- because nothing is worse then a half finished stereo+gauge cluster........

[yrsdrgn]

yea but you did the DIY thingy first so that's redemption hehe

[uncleyaris]

good to see VODKA back!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbup:

[ChinoCharles]

Guys... I did take pictures of the inside of the LB cluster. Search.

[yrsdrgn]

Guys... I did take pictures of the inside of the LB cluster. Search.

I've been searching. Haven't seen any pics of the inside of the cluster and solder points. Maybe I'm just not putting the right words in the search thingy.

[Black Yaris]

I tried searching for Chino we tod did.... nothing WTF?

[ChinoCharles]

Gimme a second.

EDIT: Can't find it right now. This is going to take a while. Be patient.

[yrsdrgn]

Gimme a second.

EDIT: Can't find it right now. This is going to take a while. Be patient.

*second passes by* :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :biggrin:

[ChinoCharles]

Oh jeez, I forgot all about this... and I'm on my way out the door again! Vodkalush... help! Where are those pictures???

BUELLER???

I'M DESPERATE HERE!

[elsteverino889]

Ive scene this thread like a thousand times and I want somebody to do this for me bcuz i surely cant...any takers give u $50 some vodka...but u have to come down to Miami, FL

[vodkalush]

chino, I cant find the damn pics either... for some reason I thought they where posted in a "branched" thread... I'll keep looking though...

[yrsdrgn]

bumpity bump bump

[vodkalush]

pictures of the LB cluster apart:
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=50258&postcount=43
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=50276&postcount=44

[ChinoCharles]

Thank you vodkalush! I knew it was around here somewhere.

[vodkalush]

:thumbup:

[yrsdrgn]

pictures of the LB cluster apart:
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=50258&postcount=43
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=50276&postcount=44

Good show. Props to you guys :thumbsup:

[ChinoCharles]

Hey, you got questions, we've got answers!

[yrsdrgn]

Ok. Show me a done up LB cluster like how vodkalush showed the ending results of his install =P hehe I'd really like to see how the LB one looks like after the install.

[razzorjet2]

Is this possible on the hatchback console control?:confused:

[ChinoCharles]

Yes.

I'm buying the LED's today. You guys want to see a color-modded LB cluster, a color-modded LB cluster you will see!

[Go4th]

vodkalush


if i drive from Atlanta up to Rochester, NY will you make my cluster panel blue like yours? of course i will have soooome voddddkaaaaa forrrr youuuuuu.. :thumbsup: :drinking:

[Black Yaris]

Yes.

I'm buying the LED's today. You guys want to see a color-modded LB cluster, a color-modded LB cluster you will see!

Chino, you dog.... you rippin on your cluster? or you got someone to do it? either way if it turns out good, the next weekend my wife works we will so turn my shit all blue LED.... Pimpin:bow: :headbang:

[ChinoCharles]

Screw it. I'll DIY. If I can solder a guitar input I can solder a bunch of LED's. I'm going blue for most of the dash, but some of the indicators will be left alone and yet others will be red. (CEL) You guys will see... the color theme going on in my car is sick. Joe, I ordered double. Don't order LED's.

[Black Yaris]

killer.... my plan was all blue LED, if it ain't black it my car I want it to glow blue :)

[sf180th]

If it works out for you maybe next we'll try pimping the led's in the Sedan!

[Black Yaris]

pimpin LED's?

[sf180th]

I mean lets try putting them in the Sedan!

[ChinoCharles]

We already know they can go in the sedan... its the liftback that nobody has tried! I wish you would have got a hold of us 10 minutes ago, I would have ordered 3 sets!!! Order them up!

http://yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2928

See, they look hot on the sedan.

[Black Yaris]

I mean lets try putting them in the Sedan!

GOTO THE FIST PAGE OF THIS THREAD

[brickhardmeat]

I'm still trying to schedule good old dad for mine. I'd definatly ruin my shit if I tried. These LEDs are fucking small as hell.

[ChinoCharles]

Yes they are... that is why I just suckered Joe into doing all the work. MWAHAHAHAHA. :wink:

[Black Yaris]

Free LED's who could resist? Now that I think about it.... I think I may leave CEL and MAINT light and those kinda lights alone... but all others blue

[brickhardmeat]

That's my plan. I want it to have a factory kind of look so I'm planning to keep the turn signals and check lights and warnings the stock colors.

I am still really curious how the speedo will look finished.



Honestly I would go all white on the speedo and lose that mint green color out of there, but I haven't taken it out yet to see what makes those lines green. Doesn't look like it is a removable layer from the outside.:confused:

[vodkalush]

vodkalush


if i drive from Atlanta up to Rochester, NY will you make my cluster panel blue like yours? of course i will have soooome voddddkaaaaa forrrr youuuuuu.. :thumbsup: :drinking:

haha, f'n a. and you can party with me and H8SGAS

[808_Yaris]

did you need to change any resistors??

[||)) (o) ||\||]

No you dont have to change any resistors. You can, though, to make the leds shine brighter (which really isnt needed IMHO) but, its risky from what I hear.

[808_Yaris]

^thanks but would the lights be any dimmer if it is changed without putting any resistors?

[||)) (o) ||\||]

No, I actually replaced some of the white leds with another white led and they were brighter than the stock ones....

[808_Yaris]

i see. looking forward to doing this

[Pitt Yaris]

anyone else have pics?

[||)) (o) ||\||]

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/images/funkygarage/56/Dash%20Night.jpg

[Pitt Yaris]

looks good

[Midon]

I will have to do this to my LB all blue even the service lights. I might try to change the needle out in the car to a clear one so it wont be red and just put white leds there. I got a new camera and will take plenty of pic's for you other LB owners.

[Rnankoo]

What about the aircondition gagues

[bladesmith6]

What ever happened with this I don't see any completed pics?

[bladesmith6]

BUMP ??

[slothman86]

Where can we get red or orange colored LEDs for the dash and radio? They only list Blue and White...

I know for the A/C knobs you can use these

http://autolumination.com/74.htm
Neo - Wedge LED Instrument Panel Bulbs B 10mm
79609-S5A-003

I think I used them for mines

[slothman86]

http://www.eled.com/category.asp?catalog_name=leds&category_name=single+color+-+top+emitting+led+-+0805&page=1

I'm guessing these will work for other colors for the instrument panel/cluster? Can anyone confirm this?

[Kluak]

What yaris is that cluster from? And would it work in a 2007 sedan American yaris?

[laobo]

Tks!