vkyolv

Thanks for giving this info ...I've been out of town.

If there are enough people who want them we can get them made....probably cheaper than 89.95 but then again it all depends....We do how ever need atleast 50 prepaid orders to get the ball rollin, and the manufacture said it is a 60 day production time. (<----didn't like that) I say prepaid orders because just like with CF hood, and pillar pods.....everyone says the want one, but when it comes down to it no one actually orders them....which means someone has to eat the cost of having stuff made. Also it's kind of a limited edition type thing...the ones who order are the only ones who will have them!!! OH sorry for rambling.

hihoslva

Well, according to Justin DeMatteo at Import Car Parts Plus:

Our gauges have a film underneath that creates the amber color. Even if the bulbs are canged to a different color, the gauges will stay a shade of amber.

I can't say for sure that he is correct, but I will check it out when I get the chance. I'm thinking I can pull the cluster, take out the bulbs, and shine a flashlight or penlight into the bulb holes and see what the gauges look like - If they stay amber, I guess he will be proven correct. If they get white like the flashlight, I guess he's full of it.

That'll be too bad - I'd hate like hell to pull the faces - I don't want to risk snapping those flimsy needles.

Will post when I find out the truth. Anyone wanna beat me to it?

Protege5online

Thats what I was thinking. Changing the bulb wont change the color of the letters. It seems to me that the guages themselves are what give off the amber color. Same with when you do the APCindiglos. Its not a bulb thats different, they actually glow from the guages. And more than likely, we wont be able to get 50 (or even close) people to order this. 50 is a large number! Although they really look good & like always, if people want them & get to me on them & I get enough, I'll cover the extras. But, based on the way these Pilllar Pods are going, its not going to work! I had about 50 people want these pillar pods but now that its come down to paying for them, I've had about 6 people pay in the last 3 weeks! So, unless I get some really commited serious people about getting these, it wont happen. I think they look great & I would probably go with a set. But, Im going to have to have probably 30 prepaid to get these done. And thats a ton! It also means I'll be paying for the other 20 & keeping them in stock to sell (hopefullly sell!)

kat

Are these just guage faces or is it the entire cluster. WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE ANSWER THIS. ITS BEEN ASK LIKE 6 Times so far. I can vouch for the mp3 that if you try to take the gas and hot cold needles off YOU WILL BREAK THEM. I spent $800.00 replacing two broken sets.
kat

Melanizm

I have changed the red bulbs in my MP3 to blue bulbs. 'Doh!' wasted money. It didnt work. All it did was change the red glow to orange. Ewe!
I saw somewhere on the net, indiglo needles. Can't remeber the site right now. If anyone knows what I am talking about, please post a link. I would like to do these needles with reverse glow gauges.....I think regular indiglo gauges are too bright.

azrakain

http://www.importcarpartsplus.com/Needles.htm

tony

there is a performance shop here in San Antonio TX and they are tellin me that they carry a set of indigol ( spelling ) and they are around $50 bucks . I am going to take a look at them this weekend , so if I like what I see I will let you all know .... if the cluster has a amber film behind the faces I will look into seeing if I can change the color of film ( theater gel ) . this stuff comes in diffrent colors of the rainbow . if you already took off the cluster just let me know how to do it ... email me at fascatone@aol.com
thanks guys & girls get back to you all

hihoslva

The cluster is easy to remove - just go at it and you'll easily figure it out.

As far as the film on the gauges, well, thanks "Melanizm", for saving some of us the time of taking our own cluster and bulbs out.

Too many issues with broken needles to remove the gauge faces and see the film. Isn't there a removal tool somewhere??

azrakain

This is the instructions for 3rd GEN proteges from Justin at import car parts plus:

Import Car Parts Plus

Installation Manual 2000+ Protégé / MP3 Ver. 1.0

Please read entire manual before proceeding with
installation!

> >Step 1. Let car sit at idle in park or neutral and mark readings of fuel, temp and rpm gauge on the back of the instructions.

> >Step 2. Shut the car off and remove the trim panel screws in front of the gauge cluster. Remove trim panel by pulling it straight out. This piece is held in by clips.

> >Step 3. Remove the 4 screws holding the cluster in.

> >Step 4. Make sure the harnesses that plug into the back of the cluster are disconnected and remove cluster from the car.

> >Step 5. Select a CLEAN work area for taking the gauge cluster apart and take your time doing the next few steps.

> >Step 6. Unsnap the black plastic clips from the bottom of the gauge cluster and pull apart in halves.

> >Step 7. The gauge faces should be fully exposed at this point

> >Step 8. Lift the needle straight up on all the gauges. A little help from a flat blade screwdriver or 2 spoons will be helpful.

> >Step 9. Reomove gauge faces from the cluster.

> >Step 10. Mix up 1 qt of water and 2 drops of liquid dish detergent in a spray bottle.

> >Step 11. Once all the gauge faces are off wash them in luke warm running water.

> >Step 12. Do not dry the gauges. This will put small fibers on the face of the gauge causing the gauge overlay to be distorted. Shake the gauge faces to remove excess water from them. Be sure not to touch the gauge face front after they are cleaned.

> >Step 13. Start with the Fuel gauge. Spray mixture on the gauge face until it is soaked. Peel the gauge overlay apart so that the gauge overlay is on the transfer tape. Spray the application fluid on the sticky part of the gauge face.

> >Step 14. Lay the gauge face onto the existing one and align. Press down with one hand on the gauge face while using the squeegee to remove excess Fluids. Be sure to remove all fluids or bubbles will appear under the face when dry. Use the same process for the Temp, Speedo and Tach. Use paper towels after overlays are in place to wipe up extra fluids from the speedo and
tach.

> >Step 15. Lay the gauges with transfer tape still ttached under a lamp that will produce very low heat Keep gauge under lamp
for at least 45 mins. To see if overlays have dried peel overlay tape off slowly starting at one corner. If the overlays are not dry yet don't peel the overlay tape all the way off.

> >Step 16. Put the gauge face back on the gauges and replace needle rests.

> >Step 17. Color the needles to the color of your choice.

> >Step 18. Place the gauge cluster back in the car with the lexan cover off, start the car and let it warm up. Place the speedo
needle on at zero. Place the fuel needle where it was when removed. Place the temp needle in the middle of the gauge when the car is warm. Turn the engine off but leave the key in the "ON" position, Place the needle for the tach at zero and re-start the car and check rpms.

> >Step 19. Remove gauges from car and replace lexan cover. Installation is reverse of removal.


WOW thats a lot of information.

hihoslva

Well, I have had the gauge faces exposed, and there is no such thing as "pull up on the needles - use a flathead screwdriver..blah,blah,blah" They don't just come off. I pulled HARD - almost hard enough to break them. I don't believe those instructions at all, sorry. If you try it and get them out, let us know, but be careful - it's not this easy.

azrakain

I would believe him as this is all he sells. I would agree that they are hard though. I am not willing to attemp it as I pulled the guages out per these instructions and once i got to pulling the needles off I started to re-assemble the cluster. It was hard and I am not willing to break them to find out. Everything else was correct in the instructions though.

vkyolv

You have to remove the needles, if that answers your question.

vkyolv

where did the needles break? Was it the actual needle or the round black piece in the center of the guage?