i think im the first one to do this.... I changed the color of my hvac controls... heres what you need

-roll of transperent celophane the color that you want to light up
-flathead screw driver
-socket/ratchet set
-scotch tape
-razor blade
-scissors

Step 1: remove dash panels
Ok so first off remove the dash panels.... i did not take pictures of this part because it can be found on this site already ....
Interior Disassemble Dashboard - Radio and related panels - Cobalt SS Network

Step 2:remove HVAC controller
This is very simple, take the socket(i forgot size) and remove the 2 screws. There is 1 on each side of the box. After this pull it out towards you slowly and disconnect the cables in back
I have extra wires in the picture because i have my toggle switch ran through the faceplate

Step 3:pop off face
There are 4 tabs to hold the HVAC box together (2 on top,2 on bottom) pry with a flathead screwdriver, or push the tabs inwards with your hand and work the face off... the fan control speed knob willl fall off
here is what you will see.... now at firs i was going to replace those lights with green ones or L.E.D.s but for one leds will not project out to the side, and 2, lights would be too much of a hastle to replace so i used some cellophane instead i got at factory card outled for $4
you can try any color but i cannot promise how good itll work... i used green, i can imagin any color but yellow working good...

Step 4: lay down the color
Start on one end and work to the other, i double layerd the cellophane to make a deeper color, i would reccomend layering it 2 times but not 3 unless its yellow then maybe 3 will make it more true...
tape the ends down to the side with scotch tape... or masking tape(scotch tape will actully hold better for this)
cover the middle like i did here.... notice the cellophane goes right up to the stud for fan speed so you cover that 1/2 circle above it, use scotch tape because the color will shine through it.
finally do the other side like the first side....You may not want to do this side though because it has blue and red on the face for the temp, only some colors may work good. next put a squar of tape of tape above the knobs for temp and ventalation type and poke a hole right above the knob and slide it through like in the pic... also if you want your 3 buttons on the bottem, a/c,defrost, and circulation to light up colored, put some on the 3 studs at the bottem this is tricky. The 3 orange lights will not be able to be recolored, i tried it. Its easy to cover them but the orange turns most colors brown.

Step 5: Re-assembally
Turn all of the knobs to the right or left to make this easier... do the same on the faceplate. Carefully put the faceplate back on and snap firmly. plug the box back in. Put it back in the dash... reinstall the trim and your set.....

 

That looks bad ass!!! I might have to give that a try with some blue action... big ups on the write up... lookin good my dude...

$YM$

 

did that on my old truck, simple mod but makes things look really good.. might have to try it

 

thnx guys, i was just sitting there one night like damn that needs to be green and i had off work yesterday.... today i have off to so im doing the gear letters if i can

 

not bad...seems pretty easy too! nice write up

 

I may be asking a stupid question but..... Lights produce heat, not sure how much heat those lights produce but would the cellophane melt? Just curious. Very good how too by the way.

 

they give off heat since their ligh bulbs not l.e.d.s stupid gm lol. Funny cuz their the size of leds but are deffinalty bulbs...they get hot enough t0 burn your finger but i wasnt worried, if anyting the cellophane will shrink and crinkle but you dont see it anywaysd and the $4 roll will do about 200 of these lol so if worst comes to worst i redo it

 

arroz.

 

huh? o by the way i did the shifter lights too... a how to will be up after i get home from the gfs house tonihgt

 

Awesome, after a year, my shifter accents are starting to fade

 

That **** looks cool.. im trying to deside.. what colors i wanna go with.. neon interior lighting and stuff,... and suggestions..

sorry to post something in here.. but dont forget to cast your vote:
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/wheels-tires-96/poll-my-rims-24643/

 

that's kool, how long did it take for u to do that

 

20 mins once i got the dash apart

 

man thats cool no if onlyi hadnt painted over all that stuff i would deff do this

 

Looks like a dodge/Chrysler HAVC controls now with the green.

 

my new how to is up for the shifting lights on the autos

 

Wow dude thats awesome, very nice!!!

 

not bad.......did you sneeze everytime you took a pic?

 

no i was too lazy to get a tripod and i had to over expose the picture b/c of the dark.... without a tripod its hard even your pulse blurs it

 

where did you get your carbon fiber dash kit from man

 

www.nycdashes.com

 

I hate to kick a dead horse here but I'm gonna do this mod today and have a question. Instead of putting the plastic over the lights, cant you just put them on the back of the light cover?

 

where did you get the carbon fiber parts that is so freakin bad ass please do tell!!!!

 

Bump

 

dash kit is from www.nycdashes.com!