First tech post in the Third Gen forum... quite the occasion. lol

I have a question about the climate control panel in these cars ('97 KF Verada Ei). Mine works fine, but the left side of the LCD display is dim. The right side however is fine, so I can assume there's two backlights behind it. Does anyone know if these backlight bulbs are replaceable or are they part of the LCD assembly itself?

The other thing i'd like to know is about fitting a Blackout Cluster. Are any changes to the wiring loom required to fit one of these, or does it work with the existing one? In addition, i'd assume that any blackout cluster I fit would have mismatched odometer readings with the current one, and i'd be curious to know how members have gone about resolving this, or whether it's even worth resolving it at all.

Cheers

Well, I am too lazy to check what "ride" yopu have - but will assume that you have a car with LCD climate (up to TJ).. which your question suggests that you do.

The climate control with LCD screen is backlit by 4 bubs - 2 different sizes. (Actually - it's 2 of one size for the LCD and 2 of the other size to backlight the buttons). They are like tiny versions of the bulbs used behind the cluster - the bulb is permanently fixed in a plastic base, and the base twists-in to engage on the printed circuit board.

In the case of the Climate Unit - the bulbs are called T4 Neo-Wedge and T5 Neo-Wedge, and "Yes, Veronica" you can get super-shizzle LED bulbs in this size. Mr Flea-Bay is your friend in this regard. I myself have retro-fitted red LEDs into my climate unit to better match the backlit red cluster in my TJ Sports. They look super awesome at night, but are a bit too dim to properly read the LCD in daylight.

Search for threads in here about these bulbs, which should also lead to very good threads about how to to pull-apart the climate-control unit. It's a bit of a fiddle but the "how to" is an excellent thread with great pics leading you every step of the way.

Search for "neo-wedge" should give you not too many results to sift thru. Also search for "console removal" and similar terms if you are not familiar with how to remove the radio/climate panel - there are a few steps where you really need the inside knowledge to avoid breaking bits!

As for cluster, it IS do-able, and Mal/MadMagna would be the acknowledged expert on what is required. Info has been mentioned in old threads - a Search of "blackout cluster" should lead you on the right path.

yes the bubs are replaceable

dash idk i would like to do i ask mal but i didnt get to much help on what is involed

Think this is what you seek re bulb replacement..>> http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?p=848543
GL

Think this is what you seek re bulb replacement..>> http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?p=848543
GL

No idea how I missed that in my travels. Exactly what I needed. Cheers. :)

I've done a bit of searching for the Blackout Cluster information, still looking, I know it's on here but it's just a case of sifting through irrelevant threads until I find something. Still, if anyone has some info i'd of course still be keen to know.

yes the bubs are replaceable

dash idk i would like to do i ask mal but i didnt get to much help on what is involed

I'm fairly sure that Mal has described what is required in certain dash cluster swaps over time, in a few threads.

Search using terms which are a little bit specific should cut-back the pages of results.

It CAN be done, as Mal has done it for sure and other probably have also done it. For me, though, pulling a complete dash out to swap a complete loom to enable such a clusterswap is more hassle than it is worth - and I think that is what would be required.

Sorry, was at work earlier and had no time to Search - now I'm piking-out cos my comfy comfy bed is calling me......

KE/F climate control is differently wired to the KH/J system so you will need to replace the bulbs. Its easy enough to get them out, then find an exact replacement. (different sizes are used so replace the bulb with the other dead one 'in hand' to compare. Avoid a Mitsu dealer as I have priced bulbs at $30 each before - extortion.

The blackout cluster is NOT a direct swap.

An entire dash loom replacement will be needed. You will also need to adapt it to a KE/F as they are not directly replaceable. Off the top of my head, you will also need a trip computer centre display. Its got something to do with the functionality of the fuel guage in the cluster, and I think if the trip computer isnt connected, the fuel guage wont function. Again, I think its a wire in job with the KE/F ECU rather than a plug in.

On top of all that, is the digital odometer. This will have to be changed at a dealer (and ive no idea how).

Good luck. I love my blackout cluster. Its one of the reasons I bought my car.

Mike

Blackout cluster into a T/KF is as mcs_xi says - replace the cluster, trip computer centre display and the wiring loom. Confirming; the loom needs some changes made to it as well to handle the different wiring in a TF. I've just put my hands on a cluster and loom retro'd by Mal to fit the TF and we'll be fitting it when the dash comes out for heater core service in the next few weeks. Sorry; just don't know anywhere near enough electrically to say what change have been made - looks like one big loop of wiring to me ;)

As for the digital odometer; I believe the one going in is within 2-3'000 km's of my current one so i'll take a note of when it was changed. Don't expect any issues, the car will be in my family forever so don't care about what it shows - as long as I keep the right service schedules.

Regards, Tony

Sweet, it's one of those modifications that can wait then. :P

Currently out in the car trying to get the bloody radio to reset. I know Mitsubishi's manual says to leave it connected to power, but it's been left alone all night with no change. Still working on it.

EDIT: Disconnected the battery for about 10 minutes, reset it, entered the code and now it's working. Stock system sounds awful... lol