1st Gen Dash Cluster How-To
 

I elected to put this here, as i felt it would just get lost in the tech section, however, if you must move it, i won't hold you back.

I have 90% completed my dash cluster how too. I need more pics, but the info is there.

Dash Cluster How-To

all the other goodies can be found here
The Mazda Protege Experience

Looks ALLL too familiar! Great job, Darryl!!!

Here's a crappy pic of my red and blue bulbs:
http://members.cox.net/cpalmer4eva/red%20dialssm.jpg

As you can see the blue bulbs still really look green. Guess it's tinted green.


Hmm that pic is at least 7,000 miles old. Hehe

mm chewy info.. I need 2 set of those clusters, for both my cars.

So only blue bulbs still turn out grey, not red?? The red looks pretty nice.........if only blue worked......damn it.:mad:

I remember taking out the cluster twice last year. A lot of frustration went into the job but with this how-to it should be much easier for people that will attempt to do it. Nice job Darryl!

It still isn't totally green like the original, but if you looked at it I think you'd say it's green. I don't know why that is exactly. But, you know, it just might be cheap bulb quality, the red is a bit incosistent, meaning the red paint on it wasn't done too well. *shrug*

finally! thanks mazdaspeedwest, i've been waiting for a how-to on my gauges.:D

Very nice how-to! Great job. Someonew here suggested that you remove the four bolts holding the steering column up and rest the steering wheel on the drivers seat to make removing the cluster trim bezel easier. I tried that and it is MUCH easier, it just pulls right out and goes back in with ease!

That would have made a lot of it much easier for me. I ended up trimming some plastic peices to get it back in easier.

thanks guys! put it to good use.

the main reason blub bulbs do not work, is 99% of the blue bulds out there are cheap and not a true blue bulb, plus the stock faces themselves area translucent green. They are painted white on the back and black on the front, so thats why a blue buld will always look green. If you look at Autozone or places like that, i have seen those little condom covers like the stock ones, in blue. that + a blue bulb may get you want you want.

Well, like i said in the how-to, i had no trouble at all removing the cluster bezel WITHOUT dropping the collum. Just need to pull the plastic collum covers. It just needs a tweek and a bend to get it in and out. Not very difficult at all. When i pull it again (stupid fuel gauge died) i'll detail that procedure.

so the red bulb show a nice color, mmmm.. time to go shopping :D so you said you can remove the speedo cable from under the dash??

Yup, you have more room for work under the dash. It's still a bit tight but can be done with a little patience:)