Gear lights in gauge cluster - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

.tony. .riot. · 05-19-2004, 05:13 PM

How do I take this out to be able to replace the gear lights in the gauge cluster?

I don't want to force the wrong piece and brake it, so those of you who have done this I would appreciate your help.

amerikim · 05-19-2004, 09:07 PM

Thats is the most brittle piece ofplastic I have ever worked with.

It was a bitch, careful with the clips. Dont push on them too hard. I broke one. Lift from ends, slowly work them out.

.tony. .riot. · 05-19-2004, 10:22 PM

Yeah, I got it out a long time ago. Since no one replied I just had to find a way to take it out.

What I did was I pressed the clips on the side from the back, and puched the piece from the front out. It was hard as hell, but it came out.

LebaneseCam · 05-19-2004, 10:27 PM

What are you doing with the gauges anyways, i thought you had those nice ones, which i just ordered btw.

.tony. .riot. · 05-19-2004, 10:34 PM

Yeah, I just took that out to paint the black trim around the gauges silver and to change the bulbs and stuff.

I'll post pics tomorrow.

amerikim · 05-19-2004, 11:22 PM

Tony, since you got them out....

Does it take two bulbs per gear position? One for the letter and one the rectangular box that indicates what gear you are in?

I got some film from a light projector, you know the ones they use in theatres? I was going to give those a shot on what effects I can get going. Maybe this weekend.

terrynham · 05-20-2004, 04:52 AM

im planning on taking out my instrument cluster sooner or later to replace the bulbs with white leds

, and possibly also install that gear indicator

(my car doesnt have one

)

since im a noob when it comes to this type of thing, is there anything I should know before i take it out?

also is the gauge cluster connected by one big wire plug or is there a wire going to each and every light bulb on the cluster?

im have never looked behind there before, so i think it is better i find out, instead of getting a shock

.tony. .riot. · 05-20-2004, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by terrynham
im planning on taking out my instrument cluster sooner or later to replace the bulbs with white leds , and possibly also install that gear indicator (my car doesnt have one )

since im a noob when it comes to this type of thing, is there anything I should know before i take it out?

also is the gauge cluster connected by one big wire plug or is there a wire going to each and every light bulb on the cluster?
im have never looked behind there before, so i think it is better i find out, instead of getting a shock

It has four plugs.

.tony. .riot. · 05-20-2004, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by amerikim
Tony, since you got them out....

Does it take two bulbs per gear position? One for the letter and one the rectangular box that indicates what gear you are in?

I got some film from a light projector, you know the ones they use in theatres? I was going to give those a shot on what effects I can get going. Maybe this weekend.

Just one bulb per gear.

ryuji16 · 05-20-2004, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by terrynham
im planning on taking out my instrument cluster sooner or later to replace the bulbs with white leds , and possibly also install that gear indicator (my car doesnt have one )

since im a noob when it comes to this type of thing, is there anything I should know before i take it out?

also is the gauge cluster connected by one big wire plug or is there a wire going to each and every light bulb on the cluster?
im have never looked behind there before, so i think it is better i find out, instead of getting a shock

the leds will disappoint you, trust me. the light output will be uneven, there will be dark spots and lights spots. and dont think getting wide angle 100 degree leds will work... cuz i tried those out and they didnt look as good as my regular red bulbs. so... get regular 194 bulbs, youll be happier with the results. good luck

terrynham · 05-20-2004, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ryuji16
the leds will disappoint you, trust me. the light output will be uneven, there will be dark spots and lights spots. and dont think getting wide angle 100 degree leds will work... cuz i tried those out and they didnt look as good as my regular red bulbs. so... get regular 194 bulbs, youll be happier with the results. good luck

yeah thats what i was afraid of

do they actually have white 194 bulbs? ive never seen anything like this before, ive only seen the normal yellow bulbs before.

but ill ask the auto shop next time im down there about it.

amerikim · 05-20-2004, 07:08 PM

Thanks Ryuji 16, I was just about to place an order for the LCDs but will hold off. I need to get it right next time I open that dash.
I need to check for white/blue bulbs too. The only ones I saw are the PIAA @ $15 a pair. There should be a less expensive alternative. That yellow glow is irritating with all that white contrast. Maybe should have gone with yellow or blue gauge faces.

ryuji16 · 05-20-2004, 09:12 PM

heres a good place for reg. bulbs:

www.autolumination.com

i got red 194s there, and with moderate use they havent faded yet. keep your order under 10 bucks (which isnt hard, their 194s are 0.99!) to save on shipping. read their policy and youll know what i mean.

for the annoying little bulb behind the 140mph one, go here:

www.superbrightleds.com

i know i just crap-talked leds just now, but this is your only shot at getting a colored version of this small bulb. i have the red one, and its actually bright and matches the other red bulbs: only thing is, there is a hardly noticeable dark patch because it gets a bit too close to your gauge face to spread its beam all the way. personally i dont give a rats about the dark patch cuz the whole thing looks hella good imo

and heres a trick if you like red:

for the lights next to your actual shift knob, pop up the bezel and take the green condom off the bulb. then on the underside of the bezel, stick some red tail light repair tape, reinstall, and pat yourself on the back

if you can find other color tape im sure that would work too...

terrynham · 05-21-2004, 04:20 AM

yeah, ill take that place into consideration when i eventually get around to changing the bulbs

what other type of bulbs are used in the interior illumination? im sure they are not all 194 bulbs

i took out the ECT switch and there was a VERY little bulb in there, what bulb is that?

i assume this type of bulb would be used for the other switches in the car aswell.

.tony. .riot. · 05-21-2004, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by terrynham
yeah, ill take that place into consideration when i eventually get around to changing the bulbs

what other type of bulbs are used in the interior illumination? im sure they are not all 194 bulbs
i took out the ECT switch and there was a VERY little bulb in there, what bulb is that?
i assume this type of bulb would be used for the other switches in the car aswell.

Those little bulbs are the ones used for almost everything in the gauge cluster. I don't know what type they are.