Dash LCD Colour - How to Change

The Ford Mondeo hit our roads in 1993, and has consistently been a sales success. Now on it's 4th incarnation, it remains a drivers favourite.
For more information, visit the Ford Mondeo forum on TalkFord.com, the definitive resource site covering all Fords from the present day to the 1970's.

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Courtesy of TalkFord.com
Author:	Compuwiz_uk
Ford Model:	Mondeo Mk3
Estimated Cost:	Unknown
Difficulty?	Easy
How long does this take?	30 minutes

How to Change Dash LCD Colour - Mk3

Instructions

First of all remove the instrument cluster (instructions in this article), and remove the 5 torx screws as highlighted.

The circuit board needs to be gently pulled off now. This is held on to the gauge stepper motors with clips (4 clips per stepper motor). Don't try to pull on one side only, pull a little on each one till the board is free.

The black bezel around the LCD needs to be removed. This is held on by 4 clips, the two on the bottom of the LCD should be unclipped first. Use a small flatblade screwdriver to prise the black plastic away from the white moulding, taking care not to put any pressure on the pins holding the LCD to the circuit board, or on the glass panel itself. Then unclip the two on the top (much easier)

Once the bezel is off, *VERY* gently prise the LCD forwards, and you will see the filter stuck onto the back of the LCD panel. Using a knife carefully free the filter away fron the LCD and remove. I found on mine that it was only held on by a little piece of sticky tape on each edge. I can't stress enough, do not pull the LCD too far forwards (only enough to get your knife blade behind) or you will damage the pins on the LCD itself!

Now comes the boring part...removing the old diffuser and green filter paint. The back of the filter needs to be rubbed down, to the bare white plastic. Make sure you don't rub down the silver side, that part will be visible from the front! I decided to use solvent cleaner rather than sandpaper to do this, to avoid any scratches showing up when lit. Here is what it looked like after a bit of hard graft (it does take quite a bit of rubbing) Note that quite a bit of diffuser paint will come off first, before you actually get to see the green bit.

Once it's down to the bare white plastic, you can stick on the colour of your choice. I used stick on filter from these guys (i got the translucent film)

http://www.metal-monkey.co.uk/acatalog/Coloured_Gels___Films.html

Once the new filter is on, re-assemble and admire your new colourful dials. One more thing worth noting, is that this procedure can also be used to change the backlight of the dials too

Daz

Alternative Colouring Method

An alternative method for colouring the LCD's is to use coloured LED's instead of the coloured gels.

the alternative step is to use insulating tape over the top of the bezel instead of the coloured gels & then the LED's can light up the LCD without getting colour bleeding from the main dashboard lighting.

Alternative Colouring Method Submitted by Compuwiz_uk