Just Earned a Oppo Merit Badge!

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot) 02/20/2016 at 10:21 • Filed to: Junkyard, Grand Prix

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The “change the bulb in the center console” badge. It’s probably not as eventful as what you guys do, but as a green gearhead, the idea of tearing apart my car to change a small bulb seems crazy!

The car is a ‘07 Pontiac Grand Prix, and taking out the center console was actually pretty straightforward. There are plenty of YouTube videos that show you how to do it. The only issue I had was putting the console back in, since it ‘snaps’ into place and I had to put in back in ‘just right’. I also broke the back seat’s cup holder, but I followed directions and I’m pretty sure the plastic was just brittle.

The old, burnt out bulb.

The new bulb! Yes, I went with orange. I read that the white makes a pinkish color, but I’ve never seen it since I’ve owned the car half a year ago. The dashboard is lit in red, so I thought it would be cool to keep that theme. This is also, technically, is my first ‘custom’ non-stock change (it’s small, I know). So I thought that was pretty neat.

As you can see, it all lights up! I’m proud of myself, I tackled an unknown issue, and it turned out a-ok, :).

Wacko > zeontestpilot 02/20/2016 at 10:39

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Good job,

And we all start with the little things, then build up courage/knowledge and do more. Last weekend I changed 2 u-joints and part of a prop shaft on the front driveshaft of my ATV(my plow)

Last year I replaced both front bearings, and cv joint on it too.

In the 90s I installed many, many stereos in my and friends cars, so I also took apart my fair share of dashes.

zeontestpilot > Wacko 02/20/2016 at 10:48

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Thanks! And I plan of fixing other things so it’ll at least be working, like a few of the heat vents are broken.

I also would like to change parts to make it a higher trim. Right now, it's a base model, but it has quite a few extras the original owner bought. I'd love to give it the things he missed; fog lamps, heated seats, 6-disc CD player, etc, not sure if it's possible, but it'll be interesting to investigate. In theory the wiring harness should already be there, since there's only two versions, one for the v8 and one for the v6 (SC and not).

smobgirl > zeontestpilot 02/20/2016 at 10:52

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I like orange interior lights - way less distracting if you’re light sensitive. The company car dash is all blue and my phone charger is a blue light that’s so bright I can’t use it at night.

I recently rented something - maybe it was the Altima? - where the center console didn’t illuminate the gear selection (on purpose) - just the dash. I take responsibility for never replacing the bulb in my old Civic but to have the car designed that way was annoying. Good on you for fixing it :)

zeontestpilot > smobgirl 02/20/2016 at 11:04

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Thank you! In Michigan during the winter, I sometimes leave work as its getting dark, on a 40 minute commute. The dashboard doesn’t tell you what gear you are in, but the small DIC (driver information center) does, but only after you change gears and it has a time limit on how long it’s up. If I ever change gears and forget I did, I’m running blind. One time I ran in 2nd for 100 ft until I realized that the car sounded funny when I accelerated. what I heard was the high amounts of torque in the low gears when compared to the high ones, lol. (That's a good sign I realized that, right?)

I just got fed up with operating in the dark and by memory, lol.

My bird IS the word > zeontestpilot 02/20/2016 at 11:19

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I won't knock it, you are one step ahead of me, my dash is still in a million pieces from fall (ran out of nice weather) from doing a few jobs, including changing bulbs. I can recommend the led replacement bulbs, they really work nice.

zeontestpilot > My bird IS the word 02/20/2016 at 11:24

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It's been below 30F this whole week, today was 50F, so I figured might as well, lol.

My bird IS the word > zeontestpilot 02/20/2016 at 11:39

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I can't put it back together until it is warm enough to re-clearcoat my dash bezel :(

Brickman > zeontestpilot 02/20/2016 at 11:44

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Looks good without the center console though. #becauseracecar #moreMPG #drivingexcitement :P

zeontestpilot > Brickman 02/20/2016 at 11:50

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But how will I charge my phone?!

zeontestpilot > My bird IS the word 02/20/2016 at 11:53

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I can relate. I’ve been taking diecast cars and removing the paint to customize. The chemicals don’t like to dry quickly in cold weather.

My bird IS the word > zeontestpilot 02/20/2016 at 12:33

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I just wish I could get the clear coat to dry clear. This will be the second try. Duplicolor has failed me so I am giving valspar a try.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > zeontestpilot 02/20/2016 at 21:05

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At least you take time to fix stuff like that. I’m a Ford apprentice tech, driving a Ford truck. At this very moment, my truck currently needs

-half the bulbs in the gauge cluster are burnt out

- Belt tensioner is loose, and the belt squeals from misalignment

-Door ajar light stays constantly on, causing dome light to stay on. Dome light currently removed because of annoyance

-ABS light on, truck has needed new right front wheel speed sensor for about ~3 years.

-Exhaust leak at the Y pipe, right bank. Has been leaking at flange with manifold since new trans was put in a year ago.

-Oil pressure sensor failing. Occasional low oil pressure light and no pressure reading on gauge

-Front sway bar end links are clunking. Definitely need replaced (again, I go through a set in two years easy)

-Known oil leaks at oil pan gasket, both valve covers, possibly rear main. Engine needs removed to fix.

-Cab corners starting to rust. Along with both front fenders, tailgate (replaced two years ago) rocker panels (replaced two years ago) front bumper (unknown when/if replaced)

-Damaged paint on both driver’s side doors due to me putting the truck on it’s side in a ditch in November

-Left front fender paint trashed for about three years due to my father not noticing sign post when backing a trailer, also see #9

zeontestpilot > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey 02/20/2016 at 21:24

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I have so much more to do for this car, I just haven’t had time. This one was bugging me because the dash didn’t say what gear you’re in, so at night its disorienting.

I need new suspension all the way around, the CD player needs changed (I NEED to hear music commuting at 7 in the morning), most likely an alignment, rear tires will need new rotors and pads, replace the broken heat vent in the front dash, etc.

it's a laundry list I'm gradually getting down when I get the cash.