[asf]

So I did the red bulb mod on my stereo by taking the plates off, removing the bulb condoms, and taking a sharpie to bulbs. And now it is super dim.

When I turn the parking light on the led board (the green plate with the radio station) dims and the red lights turn on. They are super dim.


When I adjust the illumination knob, so that the dash display gets brighter (Ie going from ILL0 to ILL3 or whatever the max is) the radio numbers stay the same brightness. However, the dash and the HVAC are all getting brighter.


I grabbed trusty old multimeter, tapped the illumination lead to the radio, but the DC input stays constant no matter what I set the ILL knob to.

That sounds odd to me, as how does the stereo know how bright to make its display?

Questions:
1. Anyone have a input voltage for the illumination wire (from a service manual perhaps?)

2. Shouldnt the radio units numbers get brighter as I increase the dash ILL knob?

3. What should I look at as the culprit???


EDIT: These are the numbers that are too dim, and do not get brighter using the steering column illumination knob. People dont seem to know which knob I am talking about. It is thte one you turn on the left blinker cliockwise to make all the interior lights brighter, including the speedo and HVAC....

[SUBIRU]

if you want the radio numbers to get brighter when the lights are on, hold down the power button on the radio.

[asf]

Originally Posted by SUBIRU

if you want the radio numbers to get brighter when the lights are on, hold down the power button on the radio.

So it doesnt get brighter from the instrument stalk (turn signal) knob?

[jsh139]

Originally Posted by asf

So it doesnt get brighter from the instrument stalk (turn signal) knob?

Nope. The stock radio only has two brightness settings. When the parking lights or headlights are on it dims. If you want it to not dim during these conditions, hold the power button until it brightens back up.

[Chris05STi]

Yup, hold on the power button for the lights to get brighter.....thats all you could other than replace the thing!

[asf]

Originally Posted by Chris05STi

Yup, hold on the power button for the lights to get brighter.....thats all you could other than replace the thing!

I dont remember how bright it was with the green condoms on. But the red seems REALLY dim. Sharpie is easy enough to take off, just soe paint thinner and put the green condoms back on. or maybe Ill try red condoms.

[asf]

Originally Posted by Chris05STi

Yup, hold on the power button for the lights to get brighter.....thats all you could other than replace the thing!

Thanks for the help. Funny, on another thread I asked, 3 people said the illumination knob also controls the stereo illumination.

Thanks for the *correct* info!

[KiTsuNe]

Did it work? lol

[asf]

Originally Posted by KiTsuNe

Did it work? lol

Actually, not the numbers that I wanted... LOL. I am editing my first page with pics as we speak

[asf]

Originally Posted by Chris05STi

Yup, hold on the power button for the lights to get brighter.....thats all you could other than replace the thing!

That only makes the LED brighter, not the others. At least not on my stereo.

Someone on nabisco told me the ill is actually set by resistance on the ground cable. I need to check that tonight.


PS what is this circled black connector for??

[jsh139]

I think that black connector is for the OEM subwoofer?

[KiTsuNe]

I dont see how it can be dimmer with the sharpie considering the green condom blocks more light then the sharpie. I think what happened was when you took your stock deck it probably reset everything, just like if you reflash or unplug the power. It probably reset to the dimmer setting.

[asf]

Originally Posted by KiTsuNe

I dont see how it can be dimmer with the sharpie considering the green condom blocks more light then the sharpie. I think what happened was when you took your stock deck it probably reset everything, just like if you reflash or unplug the power. It probably reset to the dimmer setting.

So how do I unset the dimmer reset? I cant seem to change it thru the turn sign stalk...

My initial gut feeling was the dimmer lead isnt even connected. I need to measure the resistance at the ground.

[asf]

God this is frustrating. Can anyone answer me 100% for sure if the numbers I point to in red change wiht the instrument cluster illumination knob?

Also, does anyone know the resistance values I should be seeing for the stock radio illumination wires?!?

[KiTsuNe]

I'm sorry no clue, i dont have a stock radio, i'm just going by my experiances with the other redloight mods with the sharpie.