3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Change color of the backlight for the guage cluster?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-13-06, 10:41 PM
  #1  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
Iceman1979's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Change color of the backlight for the guage cluster?

Is this possible?

Thanks
John
Old 12-13-06, 11:19 PM
  #2  
R. R. R.

 
NeedFD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: san jose
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Iceman1979
Is this possible?

Thanks
John

some people have done this in the past, they shaved off the back part from the red and put some different colored bulbs ..
I can't find the thread at the moment though..
Old 12-13-06, 11:21 PM
  #3  
MenWithGutsAttackCorners!

 
vtakk eg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: bristol tn
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
im guessing so unless there is an amber film int hthere somewhere but im guessing its just the bulbs that give it the color, ive did color changes on other cars but never an FD so im not to sure
Old 12-13-06, 11:36 PM
  #4  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
Iceman1979's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yeah I've been looking for a thread but I can't find one.

I have done it on other cars but not on an fd so I'm not sure. If I don't find out i'll just strip it down and see whats involved.

Thanks
John
Old 12-13-06, 11:39 PM
  #5  
Full Member

 
puffxy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: cali
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The red/amber tint is on the back of the gauge face, the bulbs are normal halogen bulbs. People have used sand paper to sand the red film off the back of the gauge face,it seems to be an affective method. I'm lazy so I tried rubbing alcohol which failed miserably. After which I picked up a can of 'goof off' and it worked like a charm.. until it leaked over to the backside of the gauge and took off the white numberings to :]

good luck!
Old 12-14-06, 05:59 AM
  #6  
I won't let go


 
Railgun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Chi -> Maidstone
Posts: 3,861
Received 18 Likes on 13 Posts
Enjoy!

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=lovers
Old 12-14-06, 06:00 PM
  #7  
Constant threat

 
bajaman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: near Wichita, Kansas
Posts: 4,952
Received 35 Likes on 31 Posts
The FD comes stock with (3) light choices. The stock ECU can be reprogrammed to choose between the stock Amber, White, and Blue.
To change, locate the blue/white wire going into the ECU that corresponds to the '13' pin.
With the ignition 'on', use a tester to see if you are getting 12v, 5v, or 24v from this wire.
This will determine the color of light you can get. Simply ground the "ten" pin on the diagnostics box while depressing the brake pedal (note, ignition switch must be turned to OFF before doing this). Test the voltage again, you will see it cycle each time you do this.
Once you have selected the correct voltage (and therefore the corresponding light color) unground the 'ten' pin and voila! There you go.
Old 12-14-06, 06:08 PM
  #8  
Mazzei Formula

iTrader: (6)
 
Monsterbox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Birmingham, Al
Posts: 3,020
Received 143 Likes on 69 Posts
Originally Posted by bajaman
The FD comes stock with (3) light choices. The stock ECU can be reprogrammed to choose between the stock Amber, White, and Blue.
To change, locate the blue/white wire going into the ECU that corresponds to the '13' pin.
With the ignition 'on', use a tester to see if you are getting 12v, 5v, or 24v from this wire.
This will determine the color of light you can get. Simply ground the "ten" pin on the diagnostics box while depressing the brake pedal (note, ignition switch must be turned to OFF before doing this). Test the voltage again, you will see it cycle each time you do this.
Once you have selected the correct voltage (and therefore the corresponding light color) unground the 'ten' pin and voila! There you go.

WTF?!?!?!?!?! R U KIDDING ME?
Old 12-14-06, 07:18 PM
  #9  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
Iceman1979's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by bajaman
The FD comes stock with (3) light choices. The stock ECU can be reprogrammed to choose between the stock Amber, White, and Blue.
To change, locate the blue/white wire going into the ECU that corresponds to the '13' pin.
With the ignition 'on', use a tester to see if you are getting 12v, 5v, or 24v from this wire.
This will determine the color of light you can get. Simply ground the "ten" pin on the diagnostics box while depressing the brake pedal (note, ignition switch must be turned to OFF before doing this). Test the voltage again, you will see it cycle each time you do this.
Once you have selected the correct voltage (and therefore the corresponding light color) unground the 'ten' pin and voila! There you go.
If you look at the post that Railgun wrote he links to a thread that has a guy giving a very nice example on how to change the color. The one problem with your example is that there is an amber film on the back of the guages. Its not possible for it to be blue with that on there even if the lights could change colors.

Lets say you have a flashlight that you can change colors by changing the filter. you can do that because the original light source is white (well almost) if you were to take a red filter and put it over it you would have a red light. Now, take a blue filter and place it over the red one. How is it possible to get a blue light out of that?

Thanks
John
Old 12-14-06, 07:57 PM
  #10  
I swear I didn't know.

iTrader: (2)
 
'85GSL-SE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Vic's Mom's House
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by bajaman
The FD comes stock with (3) light choices. The stock ECU can be reprogrammed to choose between the stock Amber, White, and Blue.
To change, locate the blue/white wire going into the ECU that corresponds to the '13' pin.
With the ignition 'on', use a tester to see if you are getting 12v, 5v, or 24v from this wire.
This will determine the color of light you can get. Simply ground the "ten" pin on the diagnostics box while depressing the brake pedal (note, ignition switch must be turned to OFF before doing this). Test the voltage again, you will see it cycle each time you do this.
Once you have selected the correct voltage (and therefore the corresponding light color) unground the 'ten' pin and voila! There you go.
Originally Posted by Monsterbox
WTF?!?!?!?!?! R U KIDDING ME?
+1 for WTF.

If so pics then of all three. If not, what the hell?
Old 12-14-06, 09:08 PM
  #11  
Freudian slip

iTrader: (1)
 
BOTTLEFED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Pocatello, ID
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Talking

Originally Posted by bajaman
The FD comes stock with (3) light choices. The stock ECU can be reprogrammed to choose between the stock Amber, White, and Blue.
To change, locate the blue/white wire going into the ECU that corresponds to the '13' pin.
With the ignition 'on', use a tester to see if you are getting 12v, 5v, or 24v from this wire.
This will determine the color of light you can get. Simply ground the "ten" pin on the diagnostics box while depressing the brake pedal (note, ignition switch must be turned to OFF before doing this). Test the voltage again, you will see it cycle each time you do this.
Once you have selected the correct voltage (and therefore the corresponding light color) unground the 'ten' pin and voila! There you go.
HAHAHA!!!
that is the best post I've read in a long time!

I actually waited to post, hoping someone would go try it and come back and ask why it didn't work lol!
oh, how I wish it were that easy
I'll find my writeup and post in a minute...
Old 12-14-06, 09:16 PM
  #12  
Freudian slip

iTrader: (1)
 
BOTTLEFED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Pocatello, ID
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/write-up-hyperite-gauge-mod-white-backlighting-473379/
I just want to stress the disclaimer - I have not seen anyone else sucessful at this besides Hyperite and myself, meaning the clusters were ruined
I did another one and the cluster is not fully functional
Old 12-14-06, 10:40 PM
  #13  
Mazzei Formula

iTrader: (6)
 
Monsterbox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Birmingham, Al
Posts: 3,020
Received 143 Likes on 69 Posts
ok i tried it tonight....it works let me get my camera!
Old 12-14-06, 11:08 PM
  #14  
Super Snuggles

 
jimlab's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 10,091
Received 32 Likes on 17 Posts
Originally Posted by Iceman1979
The one problem with your example is that there is an amber film on the back of the guages.
That and the fact that you'll never find 24V on any circuit in the car...
Old 12-14-06, 11:20 PM
  #15  
Super Snuggles

 
jimlab's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 10,091
Received 32 Likes on 17 Posts
BTW, you might try Black Cat Custom...

http://www.blackcatcustom.com/mazda_rx_7.htm
Old 12-14-06, 11:21 PM
  #16  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
Iceman1979's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
DOH! I can't believe I missed that one lol
Old 12-15-06, 05:35 PM
  #17  
Constant threat

 
bajaman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: near Wichita, Kansas
Posts: 4,952
Received 35 Likes on 31 Posts
Sorry guys....just having a little fun!

Merry Christmas!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gabescanlon
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
7
09-05-15 12:09 AM



Quick Reply: Change color of the backlight for the guage cluster?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:45 AM.