Backlit Window Buttons
Senior Member
Joined: 04-30-2006
Posts: 9,149
From: Maryland Heights, MO
When you remove the black rubber liner you will see two slots on the back of the housing facing the shifter. Insert the screwdriver blade in the slot and push slightly back while lifting up on the cover through the large hole in the bottom, you only lift it 1/8 of an inch or so just to clear the tabs. Once the two tabs are released then you can pull the unit up and out. The first post shows the pic of the fasteners that hold it in place so you can tell from that how is is held.
06-08 should be the same. Mine is an 08 and have removed it just as the first post said to do it
06-08 should be the same. Mine is an 08 and have removed it just as the first post said to do it
Senior Member
Joined: 04-30-2006
Posts: 9,149
From: Maryland Heights, MO
I finally got around to doing this. Can't wait to see it at night. Pretty easy, it took more time to run/glue the wire on the housing than anything else. 30-40 minutes total.
I did do a couple things differently though.
Instead of beginning to glue near the transformer, I did the opposite. I made all of the connections first. This way I was able to make sure the wire worked and it made it easier to run the wire through the console. The connection was pretty straight forward, only issue I had was I put the fuse in the wrong slot on the add-a-fuse. Once I switched it, the wire lit right up!
To make sure I had plenty of slack in the wire, I started gluing/running the wire from the far end away for the transformer. Krazy Glue worked well, we'll see how long it holds.
I did do a couple things differently though.
Instead of beginning to glue near the transformer, I did the opposite. I made all of the connections first. This way I was able to make sure the wire worked and it made it easier to run the wire through the console. The connection was pretty straight forward, only issue I had was I put the fuse in the wrong slot on the add-a-fuse. Once I switched it, the wire lit right up!
To make sure I had plenty of slack in the wire, I started gluing/running the wire from the far end away for the transformer. Krazy Glue worked well, we'll see how long it holds.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-19-2009
Posts: 124
From: Florida
Backlight Window Buttons
Found this thread during a search, excellent idea and writeup, just completed mine. Was able to cut and cap the EL wire when finished gluing in place. Used 1.3mm EL wire, made electrical connections to ground and the gray wire at rear of A/C controls. Fantastic improvement.
Thank You, HHR Nut
Thank You, HHR Nut
Senior Member
Joined: 02-06-2011
Posts: 113
From: Atlanta
I just did this same mod to my switches, turned out perfect, I used a green light that couldnt match the rest of the dash lights any better. I went one step further though, I drilled a couple small holes on the top side of the pocket right below the switches and ran a strip of the light across so now my pocket is illuminated too. Ill try to get some pics soon.
Senior Member
Joined: 02-06-2011
Posts: 113
From: Atlanta
Here is a photo and a short video of my version of this mod....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOxpC_0Rmtk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOxpC_0Rmtk