Dash Bulb Replacement - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Those People · 08-02-2005, 10:45 AM

I did a search and found lots of info on different color bulbs but nothing on how to replace. I see the screws in front but it doesn't look like that will work. Do you have to access them from the rear of the dash. Am I making something simple...difficult? Mine is a 93 p/u, 2wd 5sp.

80toy · 08-02-2005, 11:29 AM

are they the gauge or the dash lights. if they are the gauge lights, someone did a color change post with pictures that was really good, just look through that one again. the details wont be the same but the basic idea will.

edit: i don't remember what forum it was in, sorry

80toy · 08-02-2005, 11:30 AM

forgot, if it is the dash lights you have to take off the dash to get them.

Those People · 08-02-2005, 11:55 AM

Gauge lights. I think there are two. The one that lights up my right half is out, can't see the gas gauge at night.

Schmiess · 08-02-2005, 06:42 PM

a chilton or haynes manual can help you. Find someone with one or buy one, they're like 15 bucks, very useful stuff.

dasnowman · 08-03-2005, 03:30 AM

you have to post what year and make for anyone to help... on 90-95 to 4x4 pick ups/4runners you remove the glove box, center consol, plastic around stering colume then you have axcess to the bolts holding the gauges in pull that out and replace the bulb or get a cool coloured guage set.

Those People · 08-03-2005, 10:15 AM

I did mention the year and mode. It's a 93 2wd pickup with a 5sp.

I have a Chiltons and it just shows all the pieces that make up the dash. I'll look again, maybe I missed something.

Geius Maniacal · 08-03-2005, 03:11 PM

i dont know how different they r but, in my 90 u have to take off the entire dash to be able to get to the gauges. i wish it were easier. i cant see my gas gauge at night either.

Mushroom_Toy · 08-03-2005, 10:22 PM

Take off your dash. Unscrew the 4 screws on the speedometer/guage assembly. Pull it towards you slowly, and disconnect the speedometer cable, and the two connectors(or three). Now look at the back and there will be two screw in sockets with the bulbs on the opposite side. Unscrew them, and replace the bulbs, and put them back. Put the assembly back making sure to hook all cables/connectors back up. Put dash, and all parts back together. Turn on your lights and you're ready to go. Oh, bulbs should be 194 I believe. Can't remember(replaced mine last year).

bradleyj1279 · 08-05-2005, 11:17 AM

i think haynes doesn't do a very good job with this but its a great manual for other areas of the truck. the hardest part is getting the speedo cable off (it also doesn't help to have fat hands) and when you put the gauge cluster back in make sure you actually get the speedo cable to snap back in. When you put the thing back in put the speedo cable in first, it'll be easier to click the wire harnesses back in after the speedo cable. It's not a very hard process, it's just time consuming. Also, while you have the thing out, check for other burnt out bulbs and replace those as well. I've found going with regular white bulbs looks the best, but thats just me.

bradleyj1279 · 08-05-2005, 11:17 AM

i think haynes doesn't do a very good job with this but its a great manual for other areas of the truck. the hardest part is getting the speedo cable off (it also doesn't help to have fat hands) and when you put the gauge cluster back in make sure you actually get the speedo cable to snap back in. When you put the thing back in put the speedo cable in first, it'll be easier to click the wire harnesses back in after the speedo cable. It's not a very hard process, it's just time consuming. Also, while you have the thing out, check for other burnt out bulbs and replace those as well. I've found going with regular white bulbs (sylvania 194) looks the best, but thats just me.

dan1701z · 08-05-2005, 06:32 PM

Yeah the speedo cable is the hardest part. When I changed my bulbs there was no slack in the speedo cable to pull the guage cluster out. I ended up pulling on it out of frustration and it poped off but messed up the little plastic clip on deal...still worked find but a major pain to remove and install. My advice would be to unscrew the speedo cable from the transmission and feed it up through the firewall to give you enough slack to pull the cluster out and unclip the cable.

Dan