Making the 'Si' Glow
Article written by LiQuiDxE
@ ClubSi.com
This modification has been around for quite some time now. I haven't seen many people perform this one, don't know if it's because of the wide use of Indiglo type gauges or if those interested thought you need to remove the needles and figured it would be a result of broken gauges. For those of you who think you MUST remove the needles to perform this. Shenanigans! PHOOEY on you. This is one of the easiest modifications that can be performed on the Civic Si.
Several steps are needed in order to get the result as shown above, but I think I've outlined everything you need to know.
Materials needed:
- Small and medium sized Philips head screwdriver
- Small portion of nail polish remover
- 5-10 Q-Tips
- Small flashlight
Removing the outer gauge bezel (located directly behind steering wheel)
- Tilt steering wheel as far down as it will go.
- Remove two screws in upper portion of bezel.
- CAREFULLY and slowly pull on one lower corner of the bezel until the clip
unsnaps from the dash.
- Repeat the same for the opposite corner.
- You should now have the outer bezel free, set it aside.
Removing the gauge cluster
- You'll see a total of 4 Philips head screw holding the
cluster in place, they are located in the four corners
- Remove each screw making sure you do not loose them in the dash area.
- Slowly begin to remove the cluster from the dash, the easiest method is
to pull the top forward first.
- There will be a total of 4 connectors on the rear of the cluster, 2 blue,
1 yellow and 1 green.
- Remove each connector and carefully pull out the cluster from the dash.
Dis-assembly of the gauge cluster
NOTE: By all means, do your best to NOT move the needles out of place as you may end up with a dead gauge later.
- Carefully pop off the clear plastic cover being careful
not to break the clips that hold it on.
- Once you have removed the plastic cover, turn the cluster around so that
you are looking at the green circuit board.
- You'll notice there are several smaller sized, silver screws. These hold
each gauge in place.
- There is a total of 6 screws holding in the fuel/temp gauge.
- I suggest propping up the cluster horizontally as you remove these as they
won't fall out and damage the needles.
- Once you have the fuel/temp gauge loose from the cluster carefull set it
to the side and take a break.
Performing the modification
- When you're ready to begin again, get out the finger nail
polish remover and Q-tips.
- Grab the fuel/temp gauge turn it around and look back and forth from the
front to the back and eyeball the location of the "Si" on the rear
section.
- Once you're confidant on the location, dip a Q-tip into the nail polish
remover and shake off any exess solution in the bottle/cap so you don't have
any drips.
- Now carefully rub (on the location you've eyeballed) until you see some
of the black material to rub off.
- Continue this until you see more and more of the Si logo show up on the
rear, change out Q-tips each when it becomes full of black material.
- During each "pass" of the Q-tip hold the fuel/temp gauge up to
a strong light to see how much you've removed.
- Be sure you only rub off enough material to just allow the "Si"
through the back
- If you've rubbed out too much you can use a "Sharpie" marker to
cover up some of the surrounding area.
- When finished you should have a pale white circle about the size of a dime.
- You can do a final test by taking the fuel/temp gauge into a dark room with
a small flashlight and shine directly behind the "Si".
- There is a bulb located directly behind the "Si" so, the amount
of brightness you get right now is exactly what you'll get in the car.
Re-assembly of everything
- Just follow the directions in reverse and you'll be all set.
NOTES: You can use the same technique to make the "redline" section glow. However, this will not glow quite as much as the "Si" as the bulb is not located DIRECTLY behind, but more to the side.