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Difference between revisions of "Dash LCD Colour - How to Change"

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==V6 Alternator Removal Mk2==
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==How to Change Dash LCD Colour==
  
 
===Instructions===
 
===Instructions===
  
I used a Haynes manual for this but here are some extra tips which I hope are usefull and even save you some time and garage bills. You need to jack the car up and go in through the drivers side wheelarch. The small bracket is best got at with a flexibe drive and socket or a UV joint.  
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First of all remove the instrument cluster, and remove the 5 torx screws as highlighted.
  
I removed the cables once all the bolts were out because it gave me a bit of flex. I found the best tool for the main bolts is to use a verry long extension. When I say long I mean coming out the wheelarch on the other side of the car, this is the only way to get the correct angle on the bolts and be able to use the full movement off a ratchet handle.  
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[[Image:5torx.jpg]]
  
I lay under the car and held the socket in place while a friend turned the handle. Now the lump is loose you will need to undo the tie rod end to get it out. Not such a bad job as long as you use a balljoint splitter.  
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The circuit board needs to be gently pulled off now. This is held on to the gauge stepper motors with clips (4 clips per stepper motor). Don't try to pull on one side only, pull a little on each one till the board is free.
  
Once I found the right tools the job was not too bad and putting the new one on was, dare I say it...easy.  
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[[Image:4clips.jpg]]
  
Just don't forget to tighten the electrical cable or you will be under the car at the roadside again. Oops.  
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The black bezel around the LCD needs to be removed. This is held on by 4 clips, the two on the bottom of the LCD should be unclipped first. Use a small flatblade screwdriver to prise the black plastic away from the white moulding, taking care not to put any pressure on the pins holding the LCD to the circuit board, or on the glass panel itself. Then unclip the two on the top (much easier)
  
[[Category:Mk2]]
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[[Image:Unclipbezel.jpg]]
[[Category:V6]]
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Once the bezel is off, *VERY* gently prise the LCD forwards, and you will see the filter stuck onto the back of the LCD panel. Using a knife carefully free the filter away fron the LCD and remove. I found on mine that it was only held on by a little piece of sticky tape on each edge. I can't stress enough, do not pull the LCD too far forwards (only enough to get your knife blade behind) or you will damage the pins on the LCD itself!
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[[Image:Removelcd.jpg]]
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 +
Now comes the boring part...removing the old diffuser and green filter paint. The back of the filter needs to be rubbed down, to the bare white plastic. Make sure you don't rub down the silver side, that part will be visible from the front!
 +
I decided to use solvent cleaner rather than sandpaper to do this, to avoid any scratches showing up when lit. Here is what it looked like after a bit of hard graft (it does take quite a bit of rubbing) Note that quite a bit of diffuser paint will come off first, before you actually get to see the green bit.
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[[Image:Paint.jpg]]
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Once it's down to the bare white plastic, you can stick on the colour of your choice. I used stick on filter from these guys (i got the translucent film)
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 +
http://www.metal-monkey.co.uk/acatalog/Coloured_Gels___Films.html
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Once the new filter is on, re-assemble and admire your new colourful dials.
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One more thing worth noting, is that this procedure can also be used to change the backlight of the dials too 
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Daz
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[[Category:Electrical]]
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[[Category:Mk3]]
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[[Category:Tips]]

Revision as of 18:42, 13 June 2007

How to Change Dash LCD Colour

Instructions

First of all remove the instrument cluster, and remove the 5 torx screws as highlighted.

5torx.jpg

The circuit board needs to be gently pulled off now. This is held on to the gauge stepper motors with clips (4 clips per stepper motor). Don't try to pull on one side only, pull a little on each one till the board is free.

4clips.jpg

The black bezel around the LCD needs to be removed. This is held on by 4 clips, the two on the bottom of the LCD should be unclipped first. Use a small flatblade screwdriver to prise the black plastic away from the white moulding, taking care not to put any pressure on the pins holding the LCD to the circuit board, or on the glass panel itself. Then unclip the two on the top (much easier)

Unclipbezel.jpg

Once the bezel is off, *VERY* gently prise the LCD forwards, and you will see the filter stuck onto the back of the LCD panel. Using a knife carefully free the filter away fron the LCD and remove. I found on mine that it was only held on by a little piece of sticky tape on each edge. I can't stress enough, do not pull the LCD too far forwards (only enough to get your knife blade behind) or you will damage the pins on the LCD itself!

Removelcd.jpg

Now comes the boring part...removing the old diffuser and green filter paint. The back of the filter needs to be rubbed down, to the bare white plastic. Make sure you don't rub down the silver side, that part will be visible from the front! I decided to use solvent cleaner rather than sandpaper to do this, to avoid any scratches showing up when lit. Here is what it looked like after a bit of hard graft (it does take quite a bit of rubbing) Note that quite a bit of diffuser paint will come off first, before you actually get to see the green bit.

Paint.jpg

Once it's down to the bare white plastic, you can stick on the colour of your choice. I used stick on filter from these guys (i got the translucent film)

http://www.metal-monkey.co.uk/acatalog/Coloured_Gels___Films.html

Once the new filter is on, re-assemble and admire your new colourful dials. One more thing worth noting, is that this procedure can also be used to change the backlight of the dials too

Daz