DIY - ABL using EL wire, and 3/16" tube - Page 15 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

khislop007 · 10-11-2010, 08:53 AM

Has anybody had a problem with there EL wire going out in spots? This is the second time I had to change mine now. It looks like I have a doted line across my dash.

I remember sometime back someone used light tape, does that one last any longer? Is there is a LED option?

bigwayne3000 · 10-11-2010, 10:03 AM

Well I'm getting an LS so I wont have lights on the doors, I plan on putting lights on both doors and the dash.

buzzy56 · 10-11-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennnchuck

just finished my dashboard elwire abl lighting. it looks alot better in person then the pictures make it look. but here are 2 i just took tonight. sorry for bad quality but its camera phone and its dark outside.

the color matches the doors perfect although in the pictures it looks very blue

The light across the dash that you added appears in the picture to be uneven and broken.Is it solid all the way across exactly like the door panels or is is broken?Thanks for responding as I plan on doing this but only want too if it is going to last,and it looks identical to the door color an fills continuously across the dash.Good job and compliments to you for performing this mod.

jennnchuck · 10-11-2010, 07:24 PM

yes it is solid all the way across. you would never know it was done differently than the doors that came from gm. the pictures look like crap i know, but believe me in person they look alot better. i will try to take new pictures to show it better.

jennnchuck · 10-11-2010, 08:13 PM

here is another pic. again not the best quality its not the easiest thing to take a picture of. the blank spots is the steering wheel blocking the lights in the picture. i tried including the lights on the door as well to show you a comparison. in the picture the door lights don't look as bright, but believe me its right on or close enough in my opinion.

bigwayne3000 · 10-11-2010, 10:53 PM

Did you do this yourself jenn or you have help? I live up in North JErsey myself so I may have to employ you to do mine when I get my car haha.

jennnchuck · 10-12-2010, 08:45 AM

i did this myself, although its the chuck part. jenn is my wife. honestly its not bad to do at all. when you get your camaro if you want a hand let me know.

bigwayne3000 · 10-12-2010, 09:07 AM

Yea I def will. Sorry bout the confusion I was wondering what the later half of the name was but didnt dawn on me at the time haha. But I am a bit uneasy with doing this myself so I may take you up on the off, Ill supply the beer.

jennnchuck · 10-12-2010, 10:46 AM

no problem at all. i was a bit uneasy as well but decided to dive in and give it a shot and i am glad i did. i did some other wiring and other things on my vehicle so i wasnt to worried about that part. if you ever wanna see the dash lights, or when you are ready to do it just let me know as i said i will gladly assist anyone that needs a hand with anything on there car.

buzzy56 · 10-13-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennnchuck

yes it is solid all the way across. you would never know it was done differently than the doors that came from gm. the pictures look like crap i know, but believe me in person they look alot better. i will try to take new pictures to show it better.

Thanks for the response.I will for sure be doing this either yet this fall or during the winter months. Thank you again for sharing.

coolcamaroZ28 · 10-13-2010, 05:38 PM

Lookin' Good, Jennchuck!! I was away last week and am just catching up, so sorry I didn't get back to you on your question. Looks like you went ahead and did a great job anyway. I've had this setup since February and although I've only put about 1,000 miles on since then, I've had no problems (minus the slight whine/hum that you can hear when the EL wire is on, but doesn't bother me). IMHO, this is a mod definately worth doing and for those worried about it being too bright, the brigthness is nowhere near close to what those gauges are putting out. It's subltle, like on the doors, but defitately enough to get noticed but not too bright for distraction...

jennnchuck · 10-13-2010, 05:55 PM

i agree coolcamaroz28 with the brightness being right on with the doors. i have only had it for a week or so but so far i havent had th ewhining noise yet from the invertor, or at least i havent heard it yet. i have mine located on the passenger side down by the flooring inside the side cover. thanks again for all your help with it, i owe you one.

Junior · 10-15-2010, 03:16 AM

I just read EVERY post in this thread. I am convinced. I will begin this project ASAP...even though I have a honey-do list longer than the Rio Grande

Junior · 10-15-2010, 07:47 AM

camarorick · 10-15-2010, 08:23 AM

Glad to see this thread is still useful

Quote:

Originally Posted by khislop007

Has anybody had a problem with there EL wire going out in spots? This is the second time I had to change mine now. It looks like I have a doted line across my dash.

I remember sometime back someone used light tape, does that one last any longer? Is there is a LED option?

I had an issues during extreme heat we had this summer... It seems that if your dash is in direct sunlight / heat, the wire sometimes fails. After my failure, I used a sun shade in my car, and have not had a problem since ( of course, our heatwaves only last a few weeks ). I guess since you are WAAAY south, this might be a reoccurring issue for you.... The great thing is that this wire is dirt cheap, and easy to replace.... Make yourself a few spares ( just in case ).

Junior · 10-15-2010, 12:12 PM

I started the preliminary work on this project today. I ordered the materials no prob. I got the dash panels off with no issues and prepped them for sanding. I also checked and no, I don't have the ABL connectors. I am inclined to use the method in post #251 and tap into what is apparently the ABL path from behind the passenger side kick panel. I looked and indeed there are a lot of friggin wires! I guess I will begin the process of elimination. But it's been a long week and my buddy JD is calling my name. So that may happen tomorrow. I am so excited to add this mod!

Junior · 10-15-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camarorick

Glad to see this thread is still useful

I had an issues during extreme heat we had this summer... It seems that if your dash is in direct sunlight / heat, the wire sometimes fails. After my failure, I used a sun shade in my car, and have not had a problem since ( of course, our heatwaves only last a few weeks ). I guess since you are WAAAY south, this might be a reoccurring issue for you.... The great thing is that this wire is dirt cheap, and easy to replace.... Make yourself a few spares ( just in case ).

CRAP! I didnt't even see that before my last post! do you think this is related to the "heat" problems GM had when deciding to nix the dash ABL? I know they didn't use EL, but used light pipe. But the dash does often get more sunlight than the door panels.

Reaper1a · 10-15-2010, 05:28 PM

So, I may have missed this somewhere in this thread, but does anybody else's stock door lighting not go all the way forward to the dash? Mine is shy by about and inch and a half to two inches. Any solutions for this? Could I just sand out the rest of the "channel"?

jennnchuck · 10-15-2010, 06:16 PM

yes they are all like that reaper. yes you can take the door panel off and sand it down if you want. i did the abl lighting on the dash but never bothered taking apart door to fix the 1 inch or so. to be honest i never since i installed dash noticed it

Reaper1a · 10-15-2010, 06:56 PM

Sweet

Gotta start getting this project underway

Junior · 10-16-2010, 08:31 AM

Reap,

Here's a link to some great step by steps to remove those door panels just in case you needed it:

http://imichaelc.blogspot.com/2009/0...or-for_09.html

Reaper1a · 10-16-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junior

Reap,

Here's a link to some great step by steps to remove those door panels just in case you needed it:

http://imichaelc.blogspot.com/2009/0...or-for_09.html

Thanks

camarorick · 10-16-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junior

CRAP! I didnt't even see that before my last post! do you think this is related to the "heat" problems GM had when deciding to nix the dash ABL? I know they didn't use EL, but used light pipe. But the dash does often get more sunlight than the door panels.

Seriously, I wouldn't worry about it. A cheap $10 sunshade will pretty much eliminate the direct sunlight..... Again, the wire is so inexpensive, so you should buy extra just in case

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper1a

So, I may have missed this somewhere in this thread, but does anybody else's stock door lighting not go all the way forward to the dash? Mine is shy by about and inch and a half to two inches. Any solutions for this? Could I just sand out the rest of the "channel"?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennnchuck

yes they are all like that reaper. yes you can take the door panel off and sand it down if you want. i did the abl lighting on the dash but never bothered taking apart door to fix the 1 inch or so. to be honest i never since i installed dash noticed it

I did the extension, and it doesn't look right.... The light does not match up. I quickly went back to stock

Jocoo26 · 10-17-2010, 10:13 PM

I am having a problem with my EL wire. I am getting power (with test light) to the inverter and even where the inverter connects to the EL wire, but no light (on EL wire). I tested about 4 or so feet and then tested about 6 inches. My inverter is the 12v 4-8ft. Also, I still get power through the inverter even when the switch is set to off. One thing I noticed is that when using my test light, I get power through the inverter only when I use an outside ground. If I clip my test light on the neg wire of the inverter and touch the other wire, I get nothing. When i clip on an outside ground and touch the other wire, I get power again. I'm sure I am overlooking something very obvious. Any suggestions would be most helpful.

jennnchuck · 10-18-2010, 08:26 AM

i had a similar issue when i did mine, and all i had to do was change the wiring. i used the center wire from the elwire as the positive wire, and the 2 flimsy wires from the elwire as the negative and it worked fine. if you have already tried that, you can try cleaning off the end of the center wire better maybe your not getting a good connection.

10-11-2010, 08:53 AM	#351
khislop007 ZEUSS Drives: Hard! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cayman Islands Posts: 2,572 View My Garage	Has anybody had a problem with there EL wire going out in spots? This is the second time I had to change mine now. It looks like I have a doted line across my dash. I remember sometime back someone used light tape, does that one last any longer? Is there is a LED option? __________________

10-11-2010, 08:13 PM	#355
jennnchuck Drives: 2010 yellow 2lt/rs Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: hazlet, new jersey Posts: 578 View My Garage	here is another pic. again not the best quality its not the easiest thing to take a picture of. the blank spots is the steering wheel blocking the lights in the picture. i tried including the lights on the door as well to show you a comparison. in the picture the door lights don't look as bright, but believe me its right on or close enough in my opinion. Attached Images

10-15-2010, 05:28 PM	#368
Reaper1a Drives: 2010 Summit White 2LT/RS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 377	So, I may have missed this somewhere in this thread, but does anybody else's stock door lighting not go all the way forward to the dash? Mine is shy by about and inch and a half to two inches. Any solutions for this? Could I just sand out the rest of the "channel"? __________________ Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day; wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit. -Elbert Hubbard

10-15-2010, 06:56 PM	#370
Reaper1a Drives: 2010 Summit White 2LT/RS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 377	Sweet Gotta start getting this project underway __________________ Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day; wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit. -Elbert Hubbard

10-11-2010, 10:03 AM	#352
bigwayne3000 Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,296	Well I'm getting an LS so I wont have lights on the doors, I plan on putting lights on both doors and the dash.

10-11-2010, 07:24 PM	#354
jennnchuck Drives: 2010 yellow 2lt/rs Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: hazlet, new jersey Posts: 578 View My Garage	yes it is solid all the way across. you would never know it was done differently than the doors that came from gm. the pictures look like crap i know, but believe me in person they look alot better. i will try to take new pictures to show it better.

10-11-2010, 10:53 PM	#356
bigwayne3000 Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,296	Did you do this yourself jenn or you have help? I live up in North JErsey myself so I may have to employ you to do mine when I get my car haha.

10-12-2010, 08:45 AM	#357
jennnchuck Drives: 2010 yellow 2lt/rs Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: hazlet, new jersey Posts: 578 View My Garage	i did this myself, although its the chuck part. jenn is my wife. honestly its not bad to do at all. when you get your camaro if you want a hand let me know.

10-12-2010, 09:07 AM	#358
bigwayne3000 Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,296	Yea I def will. Sorry bout the confusion I was wondering what the later half of the name was but didnt dawn on me at the time haha. But I am a bit uneasy with doing this myself so I may take you up on the off, Ill supply the beer.

10-12-2010, 10:46 AM	#359
jennnchuck Drives: 2010 yellow 2lt/rs Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: hazlet, new jersey Posts: 578 View My Garage	no problem at all. i was a bit uneasy as well but decided to dive in and give it a shot and i am glad i did. i did some other wiring and other things on my vehicle so i wasnt to worried about that part. if you ever wanna see the dash lights, or when you are ready to do it just let me know as i said i will gladly assist anyone that needs a hand with anything on there car.

10-13-2010, 05:38 PM	#361
coolcamaroZ28 Camaro Addict Drives: 91&95 Z28s & 2010 SS Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 159 View My Garage	Lookin' Good, Jennchuck!! I was away last week and am just catching up, so sorry I didn't get back to you on your question. Looks like you went ahead and did a great job anyway. I've had this setup since February and although I've only put about 1,000 miles on since then, I've had no problems (minus the slight whine/hum that you can hear when the EL wire is on, but doesn't bother me). IMHO, this is a mod definately worth doing and for those worried about it being too bright, the brigthness is nowhere near close to what those gauges are putting out. It's subltle, like on the doors, but defitately enough to get noticed but not too bright for distraction...

10-13-2010, 05:55 PM	#362
jennnchuck Drives: 2010 yellow 2lt/rs Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: hazlet, new jersey Posts: 578 View My Garage	i agree coolcamaroz28 with the brightness being right on with the doors. i have only had it for a week or so but so far i havent had th ewhining noise yet from the invertor, or at least i havent heard it yet. i have mine located on the passenger side down by the flooring inside the side cover. thanks again for all your help with it, i owe you one.

10-15-2010, 03:16 AM	#363
Junior Drives: 2010 SIM 2LT RS M6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hampstead, Maryland Posts: 132	I just read EVERY post in this thread. I am convinced. I will begin this project ASAP...even though I have a honey-do list longer than the Rio Grande

10-15-2010, 07:47 AM	#364
Junior Drives: 2010 SIM 2LT RS M6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hampstead, Maryland Posts: 132

10-15-2010, 12:12 PM	#366
Junior Drives: 2010 SIM 2LT RS M6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hampstead, Maryland Posts: 132	I started the preliminary work on this project today. I ordered the materials no prob. I got the dash panels off with no issues and prepped them for sanding. I also checked and no, I don't have the ABL connectors. I am inclined to use the method in post #251 and tap into what is apparently the ABL path from behind the passenger side kick panel. I looked and indeed there are a lot of friggin wires! I guess I will begin the process of elimination. But it's been a long week and my buddy JD is calling my name. So that may happen tomorrow. I am so excited to add this mod!

10-15-2010, 06:16 PM	#369
jennnchuck Drives: 2010 yellow 2lt/rs Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: hazlet, new jersey Posts: 578 View My Garage	yes they are all like that reaper. yes you can take the door panel off and sand it down if you want. i did the abl lighting on the dash but never bothered taking apart door to fix the 1 inch or so. to be honest i never since i installed dash noticed it

10-16-2010, 08:31 AM	#371
Junior Drives: 2010 SIM 2LT RS M6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hampstead, Maryland Posts: 132	Reap, Here's a link to some great step by steps to remove those door panels just in case you needed it: http://imichaelc.blogspot.com/2009/0...or-for_09.html

10-17-2010, 10:13 PM	#374
Jocoo26 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York Posts: 67 View My Garage	I am having a problem with my EL wire. I am getting power (with test light) to the inverter and even where the inverter connects to the EL wire, but no light (on EL wire). I tested about 4 or so feet and then tested about 6 inches. My inverter is the 12v 4-8ft. Also, I still get power through the inverter even when the switch is set to off. One thing I noticed is that when using my test light, I get power through the inverter only when I use an outside ground. If I clip my test light on the neg wire of the inverter and touch the other wire, I get nothing. When i clip on an outside ground and touch the other wire, I get power again. I'm sure I am overlooking something very obvious. Any suggestions would be most helpful.

10-18-2010, 08:26 AM	#375
jennnchuck Drives: 2010 yellow 2lt/rs Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: hazlet, new jersey Posts: 578 View My Garage	i had a similar issue when i did mine, and all i had to do was change the wiring. i used the center wire from the elwire as the positive wire, and the 2 flimsy wires from the elwire as the negative and it worked fine. if you have already tried that, you can try cleaning off the end of the center wire better maybe your not getting a good connection.