Instrument CLuster Background Bulbs - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

PaulPR · 03-11-2011, 01:10 AM

I just finished replacing the background bulbs on the instrument cluster on a US made '92 Camry LE. I figured once I got the gauge cluster out it would be a 1 minute job to plug in 4 bulbs. Not quite! While they are common 194 bulbs, the wires at the bottom of the bulbs wrap around the brass contacts of the socket.

For each bulb, I had to cut the end of the wire the dead ends into the glass base and straighten it out. Then the bare ends are threaded through the base. A U bend is made in the wire to pass back around the other side of the brass contacts.

I did a search on the site and didn't find much info on this, so figured I'd post this. Someone mentioned that the Japan made cars have a different socket that allows the bulb to just plug it.

xpeed · 03-11-2011, 04:15 AM

You could of simply just bend it at the sides and just plug it in. That's what I did. Easy and stays snug.

PaulPR · 03-11-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xpeed

You could of simply just bend it at the sides and just plug it in. That's what I did. Easy and stays snug.

I thought about that, but it didn't seem to me that that was going to make a positive enough electrical connection to hold up long term. Seems like they must have intended the bulb and socket to replaced as a unit.

I sure don't want to take this apart again.