T/A Blue Gauges - WRITE UP
05-18-2006, 02:49 PM
#45
I unsoldered the old incadecent bulbs and soldered LEDs in it's place. be careful which side + and -. I put the resistors on the wire for the steering wheel lights where the wire come out from the steering column under the dash. Saved room inside the buttons and made it easier to solder. 
05-21-2007, 08:56 AM
#48
I have some tips for you guys on this install. If you want to wire the gauges into your headlight switch so they work just like stock here is how to do it.
1. Do everything in the writeup up to the point where you start wiring in the transformer. Pull your headlight switch out and use a quick connect to tap the black wire of the transformer into the black wire on the headlight switch plug. Then run the red wire of the transformer into the brown wire on the switch. Thats it now when you turn on the parking lights and headlights your gauges will come on without having to worry about your fog light switch being on.
***Also a quick tip for removing the plastic bezel is to pull off the small plastic cover the goes over the turn signal lever. It just pops off if you pull it towards the bezel. This will give you the room you need to remove the bezel.
2. As for mounting the dimmer switch this is easy. Take down the metal bracket that goes under the steering column. We will be mounting the switch on the left bolt for this bracket. Drill the hole a little larger on the dimmer switch's right side. Then just put the bracket over the bolt and then put the dimmer switch over the bolt and screw the nut down tight. This will get everything up out of the way and give you a flawless install with no holes being drilled.
3. The overlay that I received from the site listed in the write-up did not need to be cut. It looks like they have corrected some manufacturing flaws in them. The only thing you will need to do is poke a hole in the overlay towards the top. There is a pin on the bezel that goes into a hole in the stock gauges. Just line the hole up and use a nail or something to make the hole.
1. Do everything in the writeup up to the point where you start wiring in the transformer. Pull your headlight switch out and use a quick connect to tap the black wire of the transformer into the black wire on the headlight switch plug. Then run the red wire of the transformer into the brown wire on the switch. Thats it now when you turn on the parking lights and headlights your gauges will come on without having to worry about your fog light switch being on.
***Also a quick tip for removing the plastic bezel is to pull off the small plastic cover the goes over the turn signal lever. It just pops off if you pull it towards the bezel. This will give you the room you need to remove the bezel.
2. As for mounting the dimmer switch this is easy. Take down the metal bracket that goes under the steering column. We will be mounting the switch on the left bolt for this bracket. Drill the hole a little larger on the dimmer switch's right side. Then just put the bracket over the bolt and then put the dimmer switch over the bolt and screw the nut down tight. This will get everything up out of the way and give you a flawless install with no holes being drilled.
3. The overlay that I received from the site listed in the write-up did not need to be cut. It looks like they have corrected some manufacturing flaws in them. The only thing you will need to do is poke a hole in the overlay towards the top. There is a pin on the bezel that goes into a hole in the stock gauges. Just line the hole up and use a nail or something to make the hole.
08-29-2007, 09:25 AM
#49
LED Calculator a friend of mine & I put together (I initally wrote a VB program but that won't work on here without someone to host it... So I gave him the formulas and he wrote the web-based program)... =)
http://24.143.29.254/led/
http://24.143.29.254/led/
08-29-2007, 12:40 PM
#50
Launching!
Join Date: May 2007
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I just bought a '96 TA about 3 weeks ago. When I bought it the owner told me he had done something to the guages to where they shop up in blue. It's pretty weird, the WHOLE cluster brights up in light or dark blue, you can change the colors with this little switch he installed next to the headlight switch. It's alright, everyone tells me they like my guages. I just don't like how the whole cluster is white, it needs some black in it. I'm thinking about taking them out and just going with the stock cluster.
01-24-2009, 12:31 AM
#53
Teching In
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Hey Can I use this? hey in stead of using the 5mm led can i use a 10mm or a rectangular led...and for the resistors i couldn't find the 390-Ohm can i use a 330...let me know ok....thanks
05-11-2010, 12:12 AM
#55
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how did u do the slp in the center do u have a write up on that i would like to do something like that put in my own way just need the basics on how to do it.. thanks that is sick by the way
11-15-2010, 12:11 AM
#58
If your have a Trans Am, how would you like blue gauges? I’ve always wanted something different than red ones, but never really took the time to see how to do it till the other day. After doing a lot of research on Camaro gauges versus Trans Ams, I found that they’re very similar in fit. And so, my project begins….
In this write-up, I am not responsible for any damage you do to your car.
MATERIALS
Camaro Reverse Indiglo Gauges (Pick what style, I have the 2nd one)
http://www.procarparts.com/store-lis...0&cat=3&sub=37
FOUR #74 Blue LED Replacement Bulbs
http://autolumination.com/74.htm
98-up Camaro HVAC & Headlight Switch
E-Bay is your best bet for this or an F-Body Salvage Yard
ONE 5mm Blue LED & 390 Ohm Resistor
Radio Shack is you easiest bet
SPEEDO & TACH GAUGE CLUSTER
Remove the outside bezel of sorts and make sure to unplug your fog light switch. Be careful around the clear lense of the cluster as you can EASILY scratch it. Then, just four 9/32” bolts around the perimeter of the cluster and it pulls out. Also, again, be careful of the clear lense. Once this is out, you can see how to pop the clear lense off. Now it’s time to start cutting up your brand new Reverse Indiglo Camaro Gauges! CAREFULLY cut the sides around where the indicator lights go as well as the very bottom corners. This will be trial and error till you can fit them. I kept putting mine up to my bezel to get them to fit properly before actually installing them. When you have it nice and pretty, slide them on top of your gauges. Get all the needles through the holes and slide it in place. After this, I used some double-sided tape to keep the gauges in place because the connector for them is at the bottom and when I went to install mine they slide around. Now put your lense back on and be careful that all the needles are out of the way before popping it on.
Time to wire up the transformer for your gauges. I wired mine up to my fog light switch for the reason being that the wire was bigger than the parking light switch. I used a Quick Splice connector to tap into the wires. I’m sorry, but I don’t know the color of the wires off hand. Use a multi-meter to test them and tap the proper ones. I mounted the switch under the dash, which will be the next section. Before you install the cluster bezel back, go down to HEADLIGHT SWITCH and do that step, then afterwards you can reverse the above procedure to put the gauges back in the car. Make sure to test them to make sure they work before putting it all back together.
MOUNT DIMMER SWITCH & DISCONNECT STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS
To remove the knee panel, remove the two 9/32” bolts at the bottom, 2 Phillips head screws and remove. Remember to unplug the hatch button as well. If you look by the steering column you will see a set of 4 wires coming out covered in a gray sheath. Follow it and it will follow to a plug. If you cut the gray wire on it and tape it up, that will be the one for the illumination. Since I can’t use my steering wheel controls due to my screen, I just unplugged the entire plug. While under there you can find a place to mount the dimmer/color switch for your gauges. Sorry I have no pictures of where I mounted mine. Before putting the panel back on wait till it’s dark so you can adjust the brightness and color of your gauges to you liking.
HVAC SWITCH
Carefully pop off the bezel around the radio. Remove the two 9/32” bolts on the sides of the HVAC and slide it out. Remove the ***** around the gauge by sliding them off. Then you’ll see a set of tabs on the top and there is also some on bottom. Pop that off and the face will slide right off. Careful of the defroster button and spring. Now you can put the Camaro face on and replace the ***** with the T/A ones or Camaro, you’re choice. If you look on the back of the HVAC, you’ll see 2 little sockets. Unplug those, pull out the stock bulbs and replace with 2 blue #74 LED bulbs. Test them to make sure they work. If they don’t, pull them out and flip 180 degrees in put them back in. Reverse everything to put it back together.
HEADLIGHT SWITCH
Carefully pop out the switch and unplug it all. Remove the dimmer switch from the side, it will just pop off. Now remove the clear plastic around the switch. Twist the actual switch itself and you will be able to remove it. You will see a small circle with a slit in it for the illumination. Using a small flathead screwdriver, remove the bulb. Using a grinding wheel, I ground down my LED to fit inside the hole on the switch itself. Be careful not to go too far and grind on the metal piece inside the LED as that’s for the light.
Now you can solder the resistor to the positive side of the LED leg. It will be the longer leg of the 2 on the LED. Now place the LED in the hole on the switch and solder the contacts. The positive contact should be the ones closest to the edge of the switch. Now you can put the switch back together. Peel off the face of your stock switch and off the Camaro switch very carefully and slowly. Put the Camaro face on your Trans Am switch. Now you can plug ALL plugs back into the switch and test. Then push it back in the dash.
DOOR LIGHTS
Remove the Phillips head screw and pop off the door lock cover. Carefully slide off the door handle bezel and remove the bulb in the back. You will need to drill out the red lense inside where the bulb goes. ONLY drill out the bottom of it and leave the top intact so you will have something to lock your socket back in place. This will be trial and error. I’d drill a little bit, check to see if all the red lense was gone with a flash light and keep going until it was. When you have all the red gone you can bring it back to the car. On the socket, remove the #74 bulb and replace it with the #74 blue LED bulb. Verify it works and re-install it back to the door. Repeat on the other door.
You should be done, wait till night time (or in a garage) to adjust your brightness of the gauges and admire your work!!!
In this write-up, I am not responsible for any damage you do to your car.
MATERIALS
Camaro Reverse Indiglo Gauges (Pick what style, I have the 2nd one)
http://www.procarparts.com/store-lis...0&cat=3&sub=37
FOUR #74 Blue LED Replacement Bulbs
http://autolumination.com/74.htm
98-up Camaro HVAC & Headlight Switch
E-Bay is your best bet for this or an F-Body Salvage Yard
ONE 5mm Blue LED & 390 Ohm Resistor
Radio Shack is you easiest bet
SPEEDO & TACH GAUGE CLUSTER
Remove the outside bezel of sorts and make sure to unplug your fog light switch. Be careful around the clear lense of the cluster as you can EASILY scratch it. Then, just four 9/32” bolts around the perimeter of the cluster and it pulls out. Also, again, be careful of the clear lense. Once this is out, you can see how to pop the clear lense off. Now it’s time to start cutting up your brand new Reverse Indiglo Camaro Gauges! CAREFULLY cut the sides around where the indicator lights go as well as the very bottom corners. This will be trial and error till you can fit them. I kept putting mine up to my bezel to get them to fit properly before actually installing them. When you have it nice and pretty, slide them on top of your gauges. Get all the needles through the holes and slide it in place. After this, I used some double-sided tape to keep the gauges in place because the connector for them is at the bottom and when I went to install mine they slide around. Now put your lense back on and be careful that all the needles are out of the way before popping it on.
Time to wire up the transformer for your gauges. I wired mine up to my fog light switch for the reason being that the wire was bigger than the parking light switch. I used a Quick Splice connector to tap into the wires. I’m sorry, but I don’t know the color of the wires off hand. Use a multi-meter to test them and tap the proper ones. I mounted the switch under the dash, which will be the next section. Before you install the cluster bezel back, go down to HEADLIGHT SWITCH and do that step, then afterwards you can reverse the above procedure to put the gauges back in the car. Make sure to test them to make sure they work before putting it all back together.
MOUNT DIMMER SWITCH & DISCONNECT STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS
To remove the knee panel, remove the two 9/32” bolts at the bottom, 2 Phillips head screws and remove. Remember to unplug the hatch button as well. If you look by the steering column you will see a set of 4 wires coming out covered in a gray sheath. Follow it and it will follow to a plug. If you cut the gray wire on it and tape it up, that will be the one for the illumination. Since I can’t use my steering wheel controls due to my screen, I just unplugged the entire plug. While under there you can find a place to mount the dimmer/color switch for your gauges. Sorry I have no pictures of where I mounted mine. Before putting the panel back on wait till it’s dark so you can adjust the brightness and color of your gauges to you liking.
HVAC SWITCH
Carefully pop off the bezel around the radio. Remove the two 9/32” bolts on the sides of the HVAC and slide it out. Remove the ***** around the gauge by sliding them off. Then you’ll see a set of tabs on the top and there is also some on bottom. Pop that off and the face will slide right off. Careful of the defroster button and spring. Now you can put the Camaro face on and replace the ***** with the T/A ones or Camaro, you’re choice. If you look on the back of the HVAC, you’ll see 2 little sockets. Unplug those, pull out the stock bulbs and replace with 2 blue #74 LED bulbs. Test them to make sure they work. If they don’t, pull them out and flip 180 degrees in put them back in. Reverse everything to put it back together.
HEADLIGHT SWITCH
Carefully pop out the switch and unplug it all. Remove the dimmer switch from the side, it will just pop off. Now remove the clear plastic around the switch. Twist the actual switch itself and you will be able to remove it. You will see a small circle with a slit in it for the illumination. Using a small flathead screwdriver, remove the bulb. Using a grinding wheel, I ground down my LED to fit inside the hole on the switch itself. Be careful not to go too far and grind on the metal piece inside the LED as that’s for the light.
Now you can solder the resistor to the positive side of the LED leg. It will be the longer leg of the 2 on the LED. Now place the LED in the hole on the switch and solder the contacts. The positive contact should be the ones closest to the edge of the switch. Now you can put the switch back together. Peel off the face of your stock switch and off the Camaro switch very carefully and slowly. Put the Camaro face on your Trans Am switch. Now you can plug ALL plugs back into the switch and test. Then push it back in the dash.
DOOR LIGHTS
Remove the Phillips head screw and pop off the door lock cover. Carefully slide off the door handle bezel and remove the bulb in the back. You will need to drill out the red lense inside where the bulb goes. ONLY drill out the bottom of it and leave the top intact so you will have something to lock your socket back in place. This will be trial and error. I’d drill a little bit, check to see if all the red lense was gone with a flash light and keep going until it was. When you have all the red gone you can bring it back to the car. On the socket, remove the #74 bulb and replace it with the #74 blue LED bulb. Verify it works and re-install it back to the door. Repeat on the other door.
You should be done, wait till night time (or in a garage) to adjust your brightness of the gauges and admire your work!!!
Where did u get that SLP LED? it looks sickk!!
