Has anyone confirmed (tried) the backlight on the "painted" letters? It could be translucent paint/ink.
There appear to be at least two different types of consoles out there. One with translucent letters, these would pass light from behind if you provide a light source. These are not painted on, but rather are either cast in translucent or the entire part is cast translucent and everything else is painted black except the letter/numbers. And then there is a console that appears to be black plastic with white letters painted on. These would not pass light if you provided a light source behind the letters.
This latter type, black plastic with painted on white letters, is the type I was saying cannot be backlit.
And probably there are three, or more, types of consoles. The original translucent lettered consoles with light mounting clips cast in, the translucent lettered ones with no clips, and the black plastic / painted letters. What vehicles get what, or why, I can't begin to guess.
T!