Anyone upgraded the interior lighting on a 3rd gen?
I'm planning to do some interior upgrades down the track, one of them being lighting. Not so much the amount of light (overhead verada light is bright enough) but rather, the colour.
Instead of the oldschool crappy dim yellow light, i'd like something a bit more modern. Maybe white with a slight blue or purple tinge to some elements i.e.

http://b.vimeocdn.com/ts/112/328/112328174_640.jpg
http://img.scoop.it/zHCel44gDO8DgPERivZHYDl72eJkfbmt4t8yenImKBVvK0kTmF 0xjctABnaLJIm9

Likely keep the overhead interior lights white. But do everything else to look a bit nicer, i.e. footwells, doors, gear selector, climate control display, clock. All of which i'd like to pick and choose a better colour than 'ye olde castle candlelight'

My questions are as follows
1) What sort of bulbs are all the interior lights?
2) Can I simply replace the bulbs with LED equivalents or do I need resistors?
3) Will LED's function with the stock dimmer?
4) Am I likely to induce flicker with the stock dimmer in place?
5) Does anyone have any pics of new light schemes in the Magna/Verada?
6) Anything else to note?

Bonus Question: Is it at all feasible to implement reactive colour schemes?, i.e. have the tacho white/blue under 3500rpm, and have it fade to purple/red between upwards of 3500 and 4500rpm for spirited driving. Gimmicky, but something i'd like to try for the heck of it. Just not sure if its at all possible with the stock instrument cluster

I.E.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8SjyVcxO5A

There was a place on eBay that had gauge faces for sale and they custom made them....I have a white and blue set in my car. U could probably ask to have the numbers change colour or something like that? I can't remember their name but I'm sure if u search something like 'TF magna gauges' something will come up :)

When I had my old TS I pulled my cluster apart and scanned the cluster face into Photoshop and make a custom set up

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/COLOUR-DIALS-Mitsubishi-Magna-TE-TF-TH-TJ-TL-gauge-dash-tacho-speedo-face-panel-/121038800947?pt=AU_Clothing_Merchandise_Media&var=&hash=item61d08574ca

That's a good idea. How'd the light go shining thru the paper?

That seems a bit overkill, is it not possible to simply swap out all the lights behind the instrument cluster for different colour LED's?
Much cheaper than $130....

That seems a bit overkill, is it not possible to simply swap out all the lights behind the instrument cluster for different colour LED's?
Much cheaper than $130....

You can. Suprised no one has mentioned this. You can get leds in the correct size globes for the cluster.i did this in my old tf

the blackout clusters are capable of having some funky things done to them and some of the folks who attended MM13 saw what i did to mine. by removing the diffuser and placing cellophane or coloured film of some kind onto the back of the dials you can have them light up a particular way. you can also remove the needle covers and just have the exposed LEDs shine through. having done this to mine i can't really recommend it for functionality's sake as the counterweights inside the covers will no longer be there to keep the needles balanced and accurate. my speedo reads 50 when i'm doing 60, is accurate around 80 and then shows around 105 when i'm doing 100. those little weights have a substantial effect that can mean the difference between a speeding fine and a peaceful drive.

i'll post up a picture of the cluster tomorrow night if i remember.

You can. Suprised no one has mentioned this. You can get leds in the correct size globes for the cluster.i did this in my old tf

Changed mine (TJ) out with blue LED's from Ebay ($20 incl postage..Seller = sunlinesauto)...

Instrument cluster has a far superior look than the standard, however the redline section of the tacho is a lot weaker in illumination now.

The size from memory for the bulbs is either T10 or T8....
The LED's simply plug into the bulb carrier (after you remove old bulbs.)
Bit of a stuff around is that the LED's require correct polarity, so (like me) you have to wait until it gets dark to ensure they are put in the right way round!

Standard bulbs are simple filament bulbs with a rubberised blue/green cap over the top.

For the price, improved look, and the lack of hassle to install..Id do it again.

Did you do anything else or just the instrument cluster?

2 things i'm not sure on are the climate control display and the clock. I'd like to know how they are illuminated and how to go about changing it. Since they both respond to the dimmer display but first though would be a simple bulb backlight shining through but I could be way off the mark

Did you do anything else or just the instrument cluster?

2 things i'm not sure on are the climate control display and the clock. I'd like to know how they are illuminated and how to go about changing it. Since they both respond to the dimmer display but first though would be a simple bulb backlight shining through but I could be way off the mark

the clock is iluminated with the same size bulbs, and im going to go under the assumption that the climate module uses them too

Alright, so what was the procedure for getting to the back of the instrument cluster? Whole dash has to come out or can you leave some bits in place?

I've removed the centre console entirely to replace stereo in the past so I know how that comes out, thats as far as i've gone with the cars interior so far

Did you do anything else or just the instrument cluster?

2 things i'm not sure on are the climate control display and the clock.

I'd like to know how they are illuminated and how to go about changing it. Since they both respond to the dimmer display but first though would be a simple bulb backlight shining through but I could be way off the mark


To start with it would have been nice and helpful to let everyone know exactly what model Magna you have.

If you have climate ,it is likely that you have a series 2 model and therefore the instrument cluster lights cant be changed as they are led from the factory.

In saying that ,if im wrong ,then you need four T10 for the cluster.


these work okay in the cluster,the foot well lights,glovebox,map reading lights,number plate light ,side indicators,parkers

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=t10+led+smd&_frs=1


the clock is illuminated with the same size bulbs, and im going to go under the assumption that the climate module uses them too

Wrong,the climate control unit uses Neo T4 and T5 globes.

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_odkw=neo+t5&_osacat=6030&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.Xneo+t5+t4&_nkw=neo+t5+t4&_sacat=6030

the ashtray,ignition key barrel, and lighter use T5,

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_odkw=neo+t5+t4&_osacat=6030&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR8.TRC0.A0.Xt5+led&_nkw=t5+led&_sacat=6030


For "u beaut " led lighting in the c pillar lights ,interior light and map reading lights,boot light,glove box ,foot well lights,i strongly recommend using these led boards/panels for great white light.

The bulbs just dont cut it in giving out lots of light

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=led+panel+smd&_frs=1

Alright, so what was the procedure for getting to the back of the instrument cluster? Whole dash has to come out or can you leave some bits in place?



Use the steering colour adjuster level, pull the column down, the black shroud around the cluster normally uses two screws that go up into the dash, (my were missing from previous owner), undo these, the black surround then pulls out (a couple of clips hold it in place so its stiff), then you will see the screws around the cluster you will need to remove the remove the cluster, do this and make sure when you are pulling it out you undo the plug at the back prior.

Did you do anything else or just the instrument cluster?

2 things i'm not sure on are the climate control display and the clock. I'd like to know how they are illuminated and how to go about changing it. Since they both respond to the dimmer display but first though would be a simple bulb backlight shining through but I could be way off the mark

Clock / Trip receive backlight (on/off) sense info from body (black box) module, and brightness info from brightness adjustment knob on dash.
My trip computer was operating in reverse (bright when lights on instead of off) and it was traced to body ecu module...didn't bother fixing it...cant speak re climate control, as I don't have one.

Will post pics tonight when it gets dark.

To start with it would have been nice and helpful to let everyone know exactly what model Magna you have.

If you have climate ,it is likely that you have a series 2 model and therefore the instrument cluster lights cant be changed as they are led from the factory.

In saying that ,if im wrong ,then you need four T10 for the cluster.

It's a 1998 Ei Verada
Climate control looks like this
http://images.tradingpost.com.au/7RQ6ZD5S/4ZK44F/QX5B-Resized320x240.jpg

Yes, Climate Control is what they refer to as an heating/cooling system that can set itself to "auto" to maintain a set cabin temp. The manual air con with the pulleys and rotary controls is not generally "climate control".

So your unit there is Climate Control and uses the Wedge Neo Globes, 2x T4's and 2xT5's. The factory globes give a nice warm color however they are not bright enough for the day. The aftermarket Neo LED's give good output but they give a hot spot which comes out as two dots brighter than the rest of the screen. That is more noticeable with the white. I loved the light output from the LED's but didnt like the hot spot so I went custom and soldered in an LED strip, if you are looking for examples how that looks I can provide photos.

It's a 1998 Ei Verada
Climate control looks like this
http://images.tradingpost.com.au/7RQ6ZD5S/4ZK44F/QX5B-Resized320x240.jpg

Neo T4 and T5 ,two of each...just did mine this afternoon.

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57381&page=1

Cluster will be T10.

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o544/johnvirus_01/20131201_180828_zps9ba636ce.jpg (http://s1147.photobucket.com/user/johnvirus_01/media/20131201_180828_zps9ba636ce.jpg.html)

climate control. a strip can also be soldered in and probably works better. it taks two t4/t5 neo wedge globes and can be bought off ebay.
also handy to search as i asked a while back:
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95358

Original, it looks bright in the photo but during the day you couldnt see a thing.
http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad217/peaandham_bucket/IMG_5585.jpg (http://s937.photobucket.com/user/peaandham_bucket/media/IMG_5585.jpg.html)

This is mine now.
http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad217/peaandham_bucket/IMG_6440.jpg (http://s937.photobucket.com/user/peaandham_bucket/media/IMG_6440.jpg.html)

I drilled out the hole in the middle and added the LED strip instead.
http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad217/peaandham_bucket/IMG_6428.jpg (http://s937.photobucket.com/user/peaandham_bucket/media/IMG_6428.jpg.html)
http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad217/peaandham_bucket/IMG_6468.jpg (http://s937.photobucket.com/user/peaandham_bucket/media/IMG_6468.jpg.html)

The LCD has a blue tint to it, so my LED strip is actually a warm white, it doesnt look it because of that filter. Now during the day whether you are wearing sunnies or not, and with full sun hitting the screen you can still see it no dramas, very functional.

Ok so i'd like to compile an accurate list of bits I need so I can order everything in 1 go

I need.... (yes a lot of question marks as i'm not 100% sure yet)

Clock - 2x T5 Neo wedge LED
Climate Control - 2x T5 Neo Wedge LED
Instrument Cluster - 4x? T10 ??? LED
Ash Tray - 1x T5 Neo Wedge??? LED
Ignition Barrel - 1x T5 Neo wedge??? LED
Interior Indicator lights - ???

For the instrument cluster, I think i'd like to do a multi colour scheme so i'd need to know a bit more about what goes where. For instance how many lights are on each section of the cluster? and does the needle have its own one?
I'm thinking white temp/fuel, light blue speedo/tacho with a purple needle if it's possible (and not have a very blotchy blended light)

Then there's other areas of the car

Rear pillar door open lights - ???
Boot light - ???
Door to ground light - ???
In-Door open light - ??
Footwell Lights - ???
Overhead Lights (Verada model) - ???

If there are problematic area's i'm ok with using strip lights if they are easy enough to install. Though i'm going to need resistors with them aren't I?
I can do soldering, not a fan of drilling

Edit: Also any preference for type of LED's? I'm thinking more LED's = better dispersion of light = better result?
I.e.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDkyWDUwMA==/$T2eC16ZHJF8E9nnC8G5iBQCKGCN6yQ~~60_12.JPG

Wouldn't work as well as

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDgwWDUzMw==/$T2eC16dHJHoE9n3KgJBnBP8R6Cr+Ew~~60_3.JPG

And that wouldn't work as well as

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDAwWDM5OA==/z/qJ8AAMXQWzNSdr1S/$T2eC16ZHJHsFGlW8Eky8BSdr1SQsU!~~60_12.JPG

Is that a fair enough assessment?

cluster/clock - t5 wedge
ashtray/cig lighter - t4 wedge
climate - 2 each t4/t5 NEO Wedge

the footwell lamps and courtesy lights are t5 wedge as well
dome lights/boot light are a festoon type

jaycar has all the led's if its easier. mine were from there.

Ok so i'd like to compile an accurate list of bits I need so I can order everything in 1 go

I need.... (yes a lot of question marks as i'm not 100% sure yet)

Clock - 2x T5 Neo wedge LED nope..T10..Three needed
Climate Control - 2x T5 Neo plus two T4
Instrument Cluster - 4x? T10 ??? LED yes...short ones only ...long ones wont fit.
Ash Tray - 1x T5 Neo Wedge??? LED no..just T5
Ignition Barrel - 1x T5 Neo wedge??? LED No ..just T5
Interior Indicator lights - ??? what

For the instrument cluster, I think i'd like to do a multi colour scheme so i'd need to know a bit more about what goes where. For instance how many lights are on each section of the cluster? and does the needle have its own one?
I'm thinking white temp/fuel, light blue speedo/tacho with a purple needle if it's possible (and not have a very blotchy blended light)........wont work ,will look crap....you need ONE color for it to all work...the light just blends into each other .

Then there's other areas of the car

Rear pillar door open lights - ???

Are T10 but small led boards work better.or http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_odkw=flank+t10&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.Xside+emmitin g+t10&_nkw=side+emmiting+t10&_sacat=0


Boot light - ???....http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_odkw=side+emmiting+t10&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.Xled+panel+t1 0&_nkw=led+panel+t10&_sacat=0

Door to ground light - ??? puddle lights .are T10..or just use strips.
In-Door open light - ?? T10
Footwell Lights - ??? T10
Overhead Lights (Verada model) - ??? use a board and t10

If there are problematic area's i'm ok with using strip lights if they are easy enough to install.

Though i'm going to need resistors with them aren't I? not really...

I can do soldering, not a fan of drilling

Edit: Also any preference for type of LED's? I'm thinking more LED's = better dispersion of light = better result?


Is that a fair enough assessment?

dont go too long on the cluster lights ,as they will not fit.

How do I upload my pic?
Cant find manage attachments button!

Upload it to tinypic.com and use the link that is wrapped in tags
Alternatively host it anywhere you like, find the link that goes directly to the image, i.e. http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i17/1768_8lo.jpg

Then put [IMG] in front of the link, and behind the link so it looks something like
http://i41.tinypic.com/23gxkcg.jpg

And the result will be...

http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i17/1768_8lo.jpg

You can use this for any image you find, that way it doesn't have to be uploaded to this forum, it can be linked to any website on the internet

P.S. where do I find that steering wheel and gear selector? I like it

In my personal experience those long 42 led globes are pointless for dash lights as LEDs are directional and they point in the opposite direction to what needs illuminating.. Out of those 42 LEDs only the 6 at the front of the globe will be lighting what you want, the others will just be getting wasted

Upload it to tinypic.com and use the link that is wrapped in tags
Alternatively host it anywhere you like, find the link that goes directly to the image, i.e. http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i17/1768_8lo.jpg

Then put [IMG] in front of the link, and behind the link so it looks something like
http://i41.tinypic.com/23gxkcg.jpg

And the result will be...

http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i17/1768_8lo.jpg

You can use this for any image you find, that way it doesn't have to be uploaded to this forum, it can be linked to any website on the internet

P.S. where do I find that steering wheel and gear selector? I like it

Thats a Nardi set, best place will be wreckers

Some T3/T4's arrived today so I decided to do the climate control, turned out utter crap. Wrong type of LED's that are dim and don't disperse much light at all. Can barely see it at night, thats ok lesson learnt

Something that didn't occur to me however is the climate control has a backlit screen. I don't want to change the backlighting (that can stay white) I want to change the colour of the lit up parts. Is it possible or does it require a new screen? I swear i've seen someone with a red climate control screen though....

Some T3/T4's arrived today so I decided to do the climate control, turned out utter crap. Wrong type of LED's that are dim and don't disperse much light at all. Can barely see it at night, thats ok lesson learnt Something that didn't occur to me however is the climate control has a backlit screen. I don't want to change the backlighting (that can stay white) I want to change the colour of the lit up parts. Is it possible or does it require a new screen? I swear i've seen someone with a red climate control screen though....

I used bulb covers in my TJ climate control. It's been a while since I was in there, but I think you could run a standard "white" screen with colours buttons.

Something that didn't occur to me however is the climate control has a backlit screen. I don't want to change the backlighting (that can stay white) I want to change the colour of the lit up parts. Is it possible or does it require a new screen? I swear i've seen someone with a red climate control screen though....

the backlighting of the screen is easy enough to change to give the different colour, but you'd have to have a different screen if you wanted the greenish coloured parts of the screen (numbers, lines/vent diagram) to be different.

the backlighting of the screen is easy enough to change to give the different colour, but you'd have to have a different screen if you wanted the greenish coloured parts of the screen (numbers, lines/vent diagram) to be different.

On page 2 'Johnvirus_01' posted a pic with red onscreen elements, or is that because it already displays in close to orange and thus comes out red. But say blue/purple just won't work? Using purple I found the screen was washed with a purple background and the onscreen elements just don't stand out much against it.

How would one go about changing it? Could a filter be placed between the screen and plastic protector?. I doubt it would be possible to find a replacement screen for one in a different colour.
It may be possible to modify it I suppose, but one would first have to know how the screen operates and how it gets its colour. Does anyone know what type of screen it is? I'm assuming its a 'Segment display' similiar to calculator/clock/etc
http://www.machine-information-systems.com/images/LED_Display_7_Segment.jpg
but with custom shaped segments. Does the color come from the screen itself or a signal sent to the screen telling it which color to display?

I believe it has a blue filter.

My lines come out white but the background it blue. Its not really a removable filter though.

On page 2 'Johnvirus_01' posted a pic with red onscreen elements, or is that because it already displays in close to orange and thus comes out red. But say blue/purple just won't work? Using purple I found the screen was washed with a purple background and the onscreen elements just don't stand out much against it.

How would one go about changing it? Could a filter be placed between the screen and plastic protector?. I doubt it would be possible to find a replacement screen for one in a different colour.
It may be possible to modify it I suppose, but one would first have to know how the screen operates and how it gets its colour. Does anyone know what type of screen it is? I'm assuming its a 'Segment display' similiar to calculator/clock/etc

but with custom shaped segments. Does the color come from the screen itself or a signal sent to the screen telling it which color to display?

The globes were red leds. Nothing else was added/modified

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=47870

Sorry for the blurry pic..Have uploaded now ive figured out how without an account elsewhere (eg tinypic etc)

TJ with cluster bulbs changed for blue LEDs

I replaced my instrument cluster bulbs with pink ones (listing said they were purple....) but there's a slightly bluish hue to the filter in the cluster so it came out purple anyway. They are flush forward facing SMD led's (I know now there's a BIG difference between traditional 'LED' and 'SMD' in both spread and intensity, get the latter) and while the spread is not 100% even its close enough to not be a bother at nighttime
I'll throw a pic up later

I've also replaced the footwell lighting with RGB led strips, 2 strips on either side. Extremely bright but they also dim well, the biggest pain is soldering them together. I used these
http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mt7DHJnFYjPPgaDKSGZgmUg.jpg
Which can be bought from Jaycar for about 60c each (probably a lot cheaper in bulk online), they are 4 pin 2.54mm pitch connectors which line up perfectly with the 4 solder points on the LED strips so you can easily solder the male connectors directly to both ends of each strip you have cut (chain them together, they can be powered from either end). The pain in the ass comes from the female connectors, holy crap they are terrible, they often don't want to go in to their slot, or don't lock in place, or get jammed in there which you may as well throw the connector away. So you'll want spares

Nevertheless it works, and having the ability to slightly tweak the colour rather than a solid fixed colour is good.

I was going to use RGB strips on the doors for improved puddle lighting as well. However getting the wire to go through the stock rubber tube between the door and frame seems like it's going to be more hassle than its worth (I needed to run new wire in order to sync the colour with the interior unit) so i'm going to settle for white LED strips wired to the existing connectors
Boot will also have 2 white LED strips and i'm going to stick some more RGB strips under the driver/passenger seat for rear passenger lighting as well.

Pics will follow

The next question is how do I....

1) Get to and change the gear shifter lights? I want to change them from Green to Blue. At first glance it looks like I need to pull the whole centre plastic piece and armrest
2) Change the colour of the filter (or just remove it) of some elements in the instrument cluster? I'd like the indicator arrows and gear indicator's to be different colours. I.e. R - Red, N - White. They are just T5's I believe but there's a built in screen which makes them come out green

The next question is how do I....

1) Get to and change the gear shifter lights? I want to change them from Green to Blue. At first glance it looks like I need to pull the whole centre plastic piece and armrest
2) Change the colour of the filter (or just remove it) of some elements in the instrument cluster? I'd like the indicator arrows and gear indicator's to be different colours. I.e. R - Red, N - White. They are just T5's I believe but there's a built in screen which makes them come out green

1) these will require you to remove the centre console and shifter mechanism to get to the lights
2) all warning/indicator lights are ordinary bulbs with the colouring coming from the fascia itself. changing the colours of those would require you to cut out the existing ones and make new ones to put in their place. repositioning needles after doing fascia work is also a pain in the arse. gear indication is a column of LEDs.