Instrument cluster replacing lights - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

d12boy420 · 02-23-2011, 11:52 PM

I am having trouble replacing lights in my 95 dx instrument cluster. I cannot get the brown base to come off the light as it seems it is contact welded into the base. Would it be easier to solder led lights to the board instead of getting the bulbs out of the base?

GTChink · 02-24-2011, 12:58 PM

Try spraying some wd40 in between the bulb and the base...then yank it. Wait, or was it where you pushed the bulb in a bit, then twist, and it should come out? I forget..LOL

trife96 · 02-26-2011, 08:09 AM

so you removed the cluster, on the back, the bulb sockets, to remove you twist, then pull. Now some of those sockets were changed throughout the years. And the older sockets had terminals off to the side. I had to break a few bulbs to get them out of the sockets. Later they changed the sockets so the bulbs could be replaced easier. But basically they use 194 bulbs, and the older sockets you have to bend the wires on the bulb and make them stick out to make contact with the metal terminals. I used to have a pic oh these sockets somewhere, if I find it, I will post it up

kickfli12 · 02-26-2011, 07:35 PM

i just happened to have a bulb here next to me and made this Bulb replacement DIY for you

FIRST: find the little metal bar things on the contacts

SECOND: get a sharp object and pry them away from the contacts

THIRD: wiggle the bulb out of the socket

FOURTH: replace bulb and youre done. easy as that =) hope it helps

d12boy420 · 02-26-2011, 07:52 PM

Thanks, I appreciate it didn't want to break them :P

kickfli12 · 02-26-2011, 07:52 PM

im glad i could help.

trife96 · 02-27-2011, 09:35 AM

like I said, I had found some clusters had different sockets in them that won't need any modification. I was glad to find them because you don't need too bend wires and all and they take the led bulbs. But they are hard to find. I pulled out a lot of instrument clusters in the junk yard till i came across them

jawsofire · 02-28-2011, 08:03 AM

I had the same thing. Ended up breaking a couple of them. I ended up replacing them with the quick change sockets.

gameguru1360 · 03-04-2011, 01:27 AM

have you tried replacing those bulbs with high powered LEDs??

brown0809 · 03-05-2011, 12:11 AM

This is what it looks like after white LED replacement

I recently changed the LEDS to ones that shoot light to the sides as well as the top. Now the dark spots shown there are covered with light. I posted this one because I currently don't have a picture of the new ones yet.

A tip. Make sure the wires are touching the metal contacts on the base of the bulb before you twist them back into the cluster. This can be a pain.

Callum3 · 03-05-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brown0809

This is what it looks like after white LED replacement

I recently changed the LEDS to ones that shoot light to the sides as well as the top. Now the dark spots shown there are covered with light. I posted this one because I currently don't have a picture of the new ones yet.

A tip. Make sure the wires are touching the metal contacts on the base of the bulb before you twist them back into the cluster. This can be a pain.

Hate to double post but, did you have to use resistors with those LED's and where did you get the new LED's that shine more light...I find it hard enough to find regular ones around here lol

Thanks Callum

brown0809 · 03-06-2011, 09:02 PM

No resistor is needed. I got mine at http://autolumination.com/194.htm. I have the one that are second from the top.

This is what it looks like with the 6K white 9 LED bulbs. Not a big change, just some of the darker areas are now brighter.