I found that the standard orange colour of the speedo and rev counter numbers was hard to read at a glance. The orange was very dark and the red needles did not stand out sufficiently against the numbers. This might be more of a problem with the retro-inspired Lounge and Pop design, rather than the Sport (which has conventional numbers).

IMG_3713.JPG

This photo shows the standard colours, though it is difficult to capture light colours with a camera - here, the LCD looks quite a lot yellower than it actually is, and therefore, the orange numbers also appear lighter than they actually are.

You will need 3253 SMD LEDs.

In g50245's guide for replacing Punto cluster LEDs, the website www.crazyleds.co.uk is mentioned. I found that guide highly inspirational, by the way - thanks g50245 (y)

I did a search on an NZ auction site and bought two 5m reels of LED strips - with a bathroom renovation in mind - I bought both cool white and warm white, and one strip was the waterproof type, encapsulated in clear resin. The resin can be peeled off to expose the LEDs - it is like the resin that fastens CDs onto magazine covers! However, after much deliberation, I decided to use the warm white LEDs - these turned out to be on the strip without the resin.


So, once you have your LEDs, find yourself Philips number 2, Torx 10, and Torx 25 screwdrivers/bits, with a short version of the T10 and long versions of the Philips, the T10, and the T25. I use a 1/4" ratchet handle with long extension and three separate 1/4" bits.

You will also need at least two flat blade screwdrivers, fairly wide but thin blades (approx. 5mm wide), and these tools need to be clean - no oil or grease!

Start by removing two Philips screws under the steering column lower shroud. Remove the lower shroud by using your hands to pull it from the upper shroud - it is clipped at its top edge.

Then reach up beside the column stalks and remove two more Philips screws that secure the upper shroud to the stalk assembly. Lift away the upper shroud.

The instrument binnacle has two T10 screws exposed now that the steering column shroud is removed - you may need to deflect the rubber flap and turn the steering wheel/move the stalks to get clear access to undo these screws with a long screwdriver.

There is one T10 screw under the top centre of the binnacle - use a short screwdriver to remove this, then gently work the binnacle off (it is caught by the body-coloured dashboard trim panel, but it can be removed without damaging the trim.)

By this point, you have probably found a magnetic pickup tool - handy for retrieving dropped screws from the knee airbag assembly :eek:

The instrument cluster itself is held in by four Torx T25 screws - fairly large, and tight - then the cluster comes out easily to reveal a single plug connector which has a red locking lever. Press down on the detent on top of the plug, so that you can swing the lever fully out (it clicks) - then the plug comes out.

Sorry there are no photos of these steps - but this is, quite honestly, the easy part - if removing the cluster seems too difficult to accomplish without damage, it is probably best not to proceed (y)

Continues page 2...