Dave C
06-10-2004, 11:50 PM
Ok, I'm sure that many of you can do this yourself, but for any of you that can't:
How to install neon lights under your dash with a switch and no cords/plugs showing.
(On a 99+ GA)
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_2.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_3.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_5.jpg
Estimated time: A good day/afternoon
Estimated cost: $50 for tubes, $3 for switch, $3 for Velcro
One drawback, if you have big feet the drivers tube might get in the way of the brake pedal (I have to adjust the way I drive a little when I have my size 12(US) Dr. Marten’s on… but it doesn’t hinder me at all with sandals on).
You will need:
1 - 15” neon tube (passenger side)
1 - 20” neon tube (driver’s side)
^ I bought Optx brand and they work well
1 - switch (I got mine from advanced auto parts, it’s a rocker switch)
~1 yd. wire (I used some indoor/outdoor copper wiring that my dad had in the basement)
3 short screws
heavy-duty stick-on velcro (bought from Jo-Ann Fabrics)
wire cutters, electrical tape
drill, small saw, file, ratchet set
Procedure:
1. Remove paneling around CD player/hvac gauges by pulling off (ring around ignition will pop off too, a tab on mine half broke and I used model glue to attach it again). There will be three wires that you have to unplug from this panel: the lighter, the 4-way flashers, and the ETS (this isn’t too hard, just look at them and don’t brake them).
2. Unscrew tray below this panel, remove (screws in bottom of cup holders).
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_14.jpg
3. Remove square panel around shifter by pulling up evenly on each side.
4. Remove all attachment points of center consol.
Front small bolts: Remove cover with a screwdriver, then remove bolt with ratchet.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_20.jpg
Bolts in CD holder: Remove rubber bottom, remove bolt.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_13.jpg
Plastic Plugs: Pull out by pulling carefully on surrounding panel or using a flat screwdriver. This was sort of tough for me, one side actually didn’t come out but got bent and went through the hole.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_17.jpg
5. Remove center consol carefully, you’ll have to put on the parking brake and move your shifter back.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_8.jpg
6. Measure size of switch, and mark the position where you want your switch (take your time cause you don’t want to screw it up). Drill a hole in the middle of the section to be removed. Use the saw to cut near the edges of the marked area (LEAVE THE HOLE SMALLER THAN YOU THINK YOU SHOULD, you can always make it bigger later). I used the blade of a jigsaw (moving it up and down with my bare hands). It was a fair amount of work, but the blade fit into the drilled hole nicely and I had very good control with it. Once the hole is close to the edge of your marks, try to fit the switch in and then file off the places that are tight.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_22.jpg
7. Cut the cigarette lighter adapters off of the neon tubes. Splice into cigarette lighter power cords. Use your extra cable to run one side (preferably the red/orange positive wire) to where the switch will be and then back under the dash. Connect the switch. Make sure that the lights work, flip the switch on and off (you can leave your car off for this).
8. Replace the center consol once the lights work (with the cords hidden under it and the switch mounted).
9. Cut a piece of stick-on Velcro to the size of the left mount on the passenger side (the 15” tube). Apply Velcro.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_16.jpg
10. Mount the tubes with screws in the other three mounts:
Right Passenger Side (mounts into rubber):
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_19.jpg
Left Driver's Side (mounts into plastic under dash):
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_15.jpg
Right Driver's Side (mounts into molding along door edge):
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_18.jpg
11. Tuck all excess cable behind carpet.
WARNING: The cig lighter is on continuously, so if you leave the lights on when you go to bed at night, don’t count on driving anywhere in the morning…
Other Ideas (I haven’t tried them):
1. Mount a circle switch where your cigarette lighter is.
2. Add a 4” mini tube in the tray that is under the cd player, or 8” minitubes in the back seat.
Disclaimer:
I do not hold any personal responsibility for damages caused by, or as a result of, this how-to. Attempt at your own risk.
How to install neon lights under your dash with a switch and no cords/plugs showing.
(On a 99+ GA)
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_2.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_3.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_5.jpg
Estimated time: A good day/afternoon
Estimated cost: $50 for tubes, $3 for switch, $3 for Velcro
One drawback, if you have big feet the drivers tube might get in the way of the brake pedal (I have to adjust the way I drive a little when I have my size 12(US) Dr. Marten’s on… but it doesn’t hinder me at all with sandals on).
You will need:
1 - 15” neon tube (passenger side)
1 - 20” neon tube (driver’s side)
^ I bought Optx brand and they work well
1 - switch (I got mine from advanced auto parts, it’s a rocker switch)
~1 yd. wire (I used some indoor/outdoor copper wiring that my dad had in the basement)
3 short screws
heavy-duty stick-on velcro (bought from Jo-Ann Fabrics)
wire cutters, electrical tape
drill, small saw, file, ratchet set
Procedure:
1. Remove paneling around CD player/hvac gauges by pulling off (ring around ignition will pop off too, a tab on mine half broke and I used model glue to attach it again). There will be three wires that you have to unplug from this panel: the lighter, the 4-way flashers, and the ETS (this isn’t too hard, just look at them and don’t brake them).
2. Unscrew tray below this panel, remove (screws in bottom of cup holders).
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_14.jpg
3. Remove square panel around shifter by pulling up evenly on each side.
4. Remove all attachment points of center consol.
Front small bolts: Remove cover with a screwdriver, then remove bolt with ratchet.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_20.jpg
Bolts in CD holder: Remove rubber bottom, remove bolt.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_13.jpg
Plastic Plugs: Pull out by pulling carefully on surrounding panel or using a flat screwdriver. This was sort of tough for me, one side actually didn’t come out but got bent and went through the hole.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_17.jpg
5. Remove center consol carefully, you’ll have to put on the parking brake and move your shifter back.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_8.jpg
6. Measure size of switch, and mark the position where you want your switch (take your time cause you don’t want to screw it up). Drill a hole in the middle of the section to be removed. Use the saw to cut near the edges of the marked area (LEAVE THE HOLE SMALLER THAN YOU THINK YOU SHOULD, you can always make it bigger later). I used the blade of a jigsaw (moving it up and down with my bare hands). It was a fair amount of work, but the blade fit into the drilled hole nicely and I had very good control with it. Once the hole is close to the edge of your marks, try to fit the switch in and then file off the places that are tight.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_22.jpg
7. Cut the cigarette lighter adapters off of the neon tubes. Splice into cigarette lighter power cords. Use your extra cable to run one side (preferably the red/orange positive wire) to where the switch will be and then back under the dash. Connect the switch. Make sure that the lights work, flip the switch on and off (you can leave your car off for this).
8. Replace the center consol once the lights work (with the cords hidden under it and the switch mounted).
9. Cut a piece of stick-on Velcro to the size of the left mount on the passenger side (the 15” tube). Apply Velcro.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_16.jpg
10. Mount the tubes with screws in the other three mounts:
Right Passenger Side (mounts into rubber):
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_19.jpg
Left Driver's Side (mounts into plastic under dash):
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_15.jpg
Right Driver's Side (mounts into molding along door edge):
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616875_18.jpg
11. Tuck all excess cable behind carpet.
WARNING: The cig lighter is on continuously, so if you leave the lights on when you go to bed at night, don’t count on driving anywhere in the morning…
Other Ideas (I haven’t tried them):
1. Mount a circle switch where your cigarette lighter is.
2. Add a 4” mini tube in the tray that is under the cd player, or 8” minitubes in the back seat.
Disclaimer:
I do not hold any personal responsibility for damages caused by, or as a result of, this how-to. Attempt at your own risk.