Gauge cluster question...(1999) - odometer lighting

[turboedpickup]

Hello. I have a 99 miata, and I purchased new gauges from revlimiter :8): I also bought an 01+ cluster because I wanted the metal rings on the tach and speedometer. In order to keep the same mileage, I also wanted to transfer over the odometer from my cluster to the new one.

Here's the question - will the lighting match? Will the odometer keep the greenish backlight, or will it actually change to the red/amber backlight? I've seen where people said it didn't change much or at all...so it has me worried somewhat. Let me know. Thanks!

[HarryB]

The rings are part of the face, while the odo screen is part of the cluster. The two clip together, so if you separate them (you need to in order to install the gauges anyway) and mix n' match, it will be fine. Bottom line, transfer only the black surround/face thing from your new cluster to the old one, and you'll be fine. Then put your old surround to the new cluster and sell it.

[turboedpickup]

Ooooh...I like where you're going with this.

But is there a way to make my current ODO backlight - red/amber? Or will it be the only green backlit item after I switch out the green covers for red/amber covers?

[HarryB]

Hmm, thought you wanted to keep it green... What I found out with mine was that there's some sort of coloured layer/filter on the screen itself. I wanted mine (NB2) to turn white, but when I placed a white LED inside it turned....something (cannot really describe the colour). Since I did not wanted to mess with it, I bought a red LED and now it matches the red area of my tacho perfectly, and I am happy (you may find some pics in my build thread). Not sure what will happen with green though... Adding red and blue in equal intensities would normally yield white, but I'm quite sure this won't apply here. Is there any way to swap the screens only?

[turboedpickup]

I think it was your very thread that made me think of this future issue... anyone else have experience with this? For now I guess I can just hope the red lights will overpower the ODO face tint.

I could keep the new ODO - but that makes it a hard swallow changing the mileage and what not. I never liked the idea of swapping ODO's.

[Demon I Am]

You can add a red bulb condom, or go with LED.

[turboedpickup]

Is the red bulb all it takes to make the odometer (1999) change to a red backlight?

[Demon I Am]

That's what it was in my 2001. I swapped from a red US cluster to JDM (green) interior lighting and back after I realized the speedo calibration was weird.

[turboedpickup]

Sweet. Thanks!