DIY: Dashboard Ambient Lighting (ABL)
 

ok, here we go.

The first pic is the hidden abl connection that we have all been searching for its behind the guage pack, hidden in the cloth tape. I tore the car apart looking for this connector. Thanks hylton

update 2
 

Let me start by saying that is not a mod for everyone. It's not easy....I know I was hoping for a plug in play also but.......

2SSRS and I have been chatting picking each others brain for the last 2 weeks about this mod and many others. That's what makes this fun though!!!

First you need to get the light tube from digi-key. part #A99861-ND

You also need 2 door connector abl connector/lights gm part #92228416 (red)

I am still waiting for my other red light bulbs to come in so I used the blue for a demo.

Then you cut both pieces to match the length of the plastic inserts plus +1/2 inch. That will allow you to hook up the light connector to the light tube via the guage cluster. Nice job 2SSRS!

Then you will have to cut /drill a hole in the corner of the dash behind the plastic. This will allow you to slip the tube behind the plastic pieces on the dash.[ I also notched out the dash piece. AS seen in the picture. I used a razor blade witch lets you make a slit. I think it'sa better way to go so you can adjust the light beam. ATTACH]51312[/ATTACH]

update 3
 

After you have cut the hole. You will need to notch the plastic clips that hold the plastic dash pieces in the dash. This will allow you to have the 5mm tube slide behind the plastic piece. As seen in the picture. Then you will need to sand the top of the plastic dash piece. I used 300 grit, after the main paint was sanded off I used 800 which gives you a little haze. It really helps the light show up. I tried to buff it to a sheen finish and the light doesn't show very good. The slight haze made a big difference. This will allow the light to show up evenly.

Update 4
 

Here we go! The pictures doesn't do it justice. If you have any questions let me know.

RHARON

ok...i need to order...

:cry: :cry: :cry: This looks sooo great, you guys are awesome, but there is no way I can do this on my own. I'm sure a lot of other females can do things like this but I am not one of them. Don't trust my husband to do it, I still haven't even let him drive it. Maybe I can get my big brother to do it, he is really good at things like this.

wow :confused0068:
you guy's are good,:thumbup:
you mind sharing what the cost of this mod will set you back and also please a step by step process....thanks :w00t:

Cangrats. to all of us on this site, you want farther than me i did not think of thinning the clips like that, As you know i was thinning the light pips to make it work for me.

Can you tell me if you put it on the thin plastic of the clip board ?.

Thank you Camaro5 for all the help.

rharon why don't you start the new Thread for the DIY on this with all the part # i do think you have all of them now.

Too cool congrats Rharon, 2SSRS and Teccboxx.

Now does anyone have the part number for the blue lights????

very nice. .. Let us know when a parts list gets made.

Is it me, but the light is not showing up evenly. it is really noticeable on the left side of the gauge cluster. Does it look like this in person as well?

I know this is getting very picky, but would it be possible for before and after pictures in your new DIY thread. You show pics of the modified parts, but i have no idea what they looked like beforehand, and what it is you changed.

Kick Booty Guys, you guys have done a excellent job, far beyond what I ever did. Looks like I will be ripping mine out and going with what you guys did, blus it is a hell of a lot cheaper LOL.

Super sweet job, I agree close this thread and start fresh.

A couple of quick questions:

Can I ask about the wiring. Am I correct in believing the small dash piece connects to the ABL connector by the fusebox, and the longer (passenger side) dash piece connects to the newly discovered ABL connector behind the speedometer cluster?

Also, is it safe to disconnect and remove the dash cluster? I do not want to fry the computer or get error messages once it's reconnected and I start it up...

Finally, aside the small hole being drilled to allow the tube to pass through, are there any other physical modifications that need to be done to the dash itself?

I have a question, the tube gets cut to length, correct?

So why do you need to drill a hole in the dash? Couldn't we just cut the tube to fit snug behind the acrylic piece?