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gt40
11-15-2004, 12:08 AM
I tried this and it works really well. Â*Unfortunately, bulb lighting the gas gauge is gone but my speedo is much easier to see now: http://forums.evolutionm.net/showthread.php?t=100294&highlight=bolsen

Clear write up on the mod and it is free!

http://bolsen.homeip.net/index.html

2003 Evolution 8 Interior Lights

In stock form, the interior lights in the Evo suck. The gauges are hard to read at quick glance, and nicely enough, Mitsubishi figured we'd appreciate 3 different colors of lights. The goal of this project is to make the gauge cluster easier to read and to provide sufficient lighting for the front passengers. In the end, the cluster, gauges, climate controls, cigarette lighter, reading lights, and ash tray are now red. The key ring, factory stereo, dome light, and clock are white. Here's how you do it.

If the interest is there, I will put together a kit.



WARNING:

Do not modify your car without the help of a trained, professional automotive mechanic unless you comfortable doing so yourself. Any modifications taken from this site are done at your own risk! Note: Disconnect the battery PRIOR to any electrical work done on your car.




The Cluster

1. Remove the two screws above the cluster. Remove the liner.

2. Remove the 3 screws holding down the cluster itself.

3. Unplug both plugs from the back of the cluster and remove the cluster. I found if you tilt the cluster top to back (on it's back), it will pull out easier than if you pull it straight out.

4. Remove the backing from the cluster by unscrewing the 4 screws around the edge of the housing.

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05778.jpg

5. Notice that there are 4 blue pieces of plastic, and 16 black pieces. These are the lights that light the cluster. The blue blacked lights are the primary lights for the speedo, tachometer, temp, and fuel gauge. Please note, that there are two styles of blue backed lights; 3 large bulbs and 1 small bulb. On the other hand, the black backed lights, are individual bulbs for the warning lights. We will not be changing these lights. Remove the 4 blue backed bulbs by unscrewing them a quarter turn.

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05779.jpg

6. Remove the blue covers from the bulbs. The blue covers create a "white" light. If you break a bulb, your local Mitsu dealer sells replacement bulbs.

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05780.jpg

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05785.jpg

7. This step is optional. I chose to color the bulbs red with a permanent marker. Simply drawing on the bulb is not going to work, as the glass is not rough enough to hold the ink from the marker. I used 1500 grit sandpaper to rough the glass so that the red sharpie marker would stick to the glass. While coloring, if you notice that the marker seems to be "beading," stop and re sand that area. Double check that the bulbs are uniform in color. Notice. The red will fade over time. However, until I find a better solution, this is cheap and easy to do.

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05786.jpg

8. Apply the red gel covers. (Do NOT do this if you are simply trying to make the cluster brighter.) Tip: If you are using 194 gels wrap the gel tightly around the bulb and use scotch tape to attach. Yea I know what you're thinking... but it works.)

9 Reinstall the bulbs into the cluster. I chose to move the smaller bulb over to the area behind the temp and fuel gauge because I wanted the tach and the speedo to be the brightest of all the gauges. You will probably need to use a tweezers to refit the gels over the bulb.

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05793.jpg

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05792.jpg

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05790.jpg

10. Reinstall the back cover and reinstall the cluster back into the car. You may want to check the lights before you screw the cluster back into the dash. You now have a red cluster.

Dome / Map Lights

According to every source that I have found, they say the replacement bulb for the dome light is DE3175. The DE3175 looks like this...

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/APC504062B_1.jpg

That said, I have no idea how they want us to fit that bulb in this...

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05795.jpg

So, I ended up using (3) 912 series bulbs. They are a bit larger than the original bulbs so they give off much more light. (This is nice because the the stock bulbs didn't provide a whole lot of light.) In the end, I used 2 red bulbs with red gels and 1 blue bulb, that shines white. It's not pretty, but it works. Plus, once the cover is back over the lights, you can't see them anyway.

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05796.jpg

1. Use a flat head screw driver to remove the clear cover. There is a small notch on the side closest to the sunroof, remove it by pulling down and forward.

2. Unscrew the (2) 10mm screws and unplug the power source.

3. Uninstall and reinstall the 912 bulbs. I had to remove the middle plug to get the bulb in. It just slides in and out.

4. Reinstall. Install the gels if you would like. (The screws make the ground for the lights, that's why they aren't working if you are testing them.)

Climate Control Lights

1. Pull the switches straight off the posts.

2. Unscrew the 2 screws on the temp and vent level sides.

3. Remove the cover surrounding the climate controls and radio. To do this pull firmly from the climate control holes. It's a snap style cover.

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05812.jpg

4. Remove the 4 smaller screws holding the clear plastic and button controls.

5. Remove the lights. Softly pull the circuit board out. It's soldiered to wire that's attached to another board inside the assembly so you'll have very little room. Be careful not to drop these lights. I spent nearly an hour ripping apart the car trying to find one.

6. Again, remove the blue gels, sand, and color. (I should say now that the blue on the climate controls will look goofy. but in order to keep it red, I chose to color the bulb. If you don't want to look at the goofy colored blue climate control, leave the one bulb clear.

7. Reinstall the bulbs. Again be careful and don't drop the lights.

8. Apply a red gel cover to the bottom right light. Reinstall the clear plastic.

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05809.jpg

8. Once the plastic is on, apply only half of a gel to the top left light. Tip: I ended up going back in using an entire gel.

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05807.jpg

9. Reinstall the buttons and the rest of the climate control housing.

Cigarette and Ash Tray Lights

1. Remove the two screws in the arm rest compartment.

2. Remove the arm rest console. There are two snaps in the front and don't forget to unplug the mister button.

3. Remove the shifter console. There is a plastic screw and a snap in the driver side. There is one snap on the passenger side. Remove the screw underneath the ash tray. Unscrew the shift knob and remove. There is one plug underneath.

4. Sand and color the lights for the ash tray and cigarette lighter.

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05788.jpg

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05789.jpgÂ*

5. Reinstall with red gels.

6. Reinstall the consoles.

Other Lights

1. Other lights, such as gauges, should follow similar routine. Sand, color, and gel.

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05852.jpg

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05828.jpg

http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10991/DSC05816.jpg

Enjoy!

trinydex
08-15-2006, 03:42 PM
please discuss here:

http://www.socalevo.net/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&?topic=26664.msg6597004#msg6597004