[MINIgirl]

The sales guy told me that I can change the color of the lighting in the instrument cluster (where the mileage shows and how much gas you have etc.), it's currently orange, and all the buttons that light up are orange too. But I can't figure out how?

I know the lights in the door can change color, that's the ambient lighting.

Please help, as I don't like all the orange lights!

 

[jeremybingham]

I'm afraid you're stuck with orange but you can dim them or brighten them!

 

[MINIgirl]

Oh no! Really, with everything else that can be changed, they didn't think of that?

How can I dim them?

HATE the ORANGE!

 

[2 in the family]

Oh no! Really, with everything else that can be changed, they didn't think of that?

How can I dim them?

HATE the ORANGE!

Bottom right, left on yours on dash by your knee. Next to the head light leveling.
I don't mind the speedo and rev counter in orange but I think it's a shame the fuel gauge isn't linked to the ambient lighting.

 

[uke]

There might be some way to hack the instrument cluster and change the color, but it probably won't be for the faint of heart.

If the fuel gauge lenses are clear, with a backing sheet of orange, you might be able to replace it with a color more to your liking. It might be as simple as a strip of transparent colored plastic to replace the orange version.

If each bar is an LED, same deal. If the bars are orange LEDs, you're probably out of luck.

Worst case, you can black out the fuel gauge, and then tap into the OBD2 connector to extract the Fuel Quantity signal. Hack together a small LCD or TFT display (or even an analog, if you can find one!), add an Arduino to drive it, and presto!.

The only reason I'm saying this is because you seem to really, really hate the orange. Desperate times require desperate measures, and this kind of hacking is definitely desperate if you don't get off on that kind of stuff.

 

[MINIgirl]

I'll try dimming them first!

 

[jeremybingham]

Wow, I know with the r56 that there is a company who do a complete bulb or led change for the dash lights. Not long before they do it for v the f56?

 

[jeremybingham]

http://www.totalmini.com/forum/18-2006-2014-2nd-generation/6639-r56-dash-led-change.html


Complicated but it will be doable

 

[jeremybingham]

http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f275/dash-led-change-39271/

 

[jeremybingham]

http://www.ledperf.co.uk/led-dashboard-kit-for-mini-cooper-r50r53-p-219.html

It's a big job but you can do it if you have patience and can solder. Void your warranty I bet.

 

[uke]

I'll try dimming them first!

At the risk of generalizing, girls are so practical.

By all means, that's procedure #1 before you break out the Arduino and CAN sniffer!

 

[uke]

http://www.totalmini.com/forum/18-2006-2014-2nd-generation/6639-r56-dash-led-change.html


Complicated but it will be doable

Excellent hacking, but ZOMG

 

[jeremybingham]

I know, not for the faint hearted there was a company called essential mini here in the uk who would do it for you at a cost but they seem to have vanished.

 

[polarisboy386]

Please help, as I don't like all the orange lights!

Believe it or not, but the orange lights make for a very comfortable driving experience at night. Anything towards the red spectrum is easiest on the eyes at night and will put less strain on them. Anything towards the blue spectrum is very hard on the eyes. Just a bit of fun info for you