Shifter Back Light Out (auto) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

YeahDino · 05-30-2011, 10:13 PM

Hi everyone, first post; I'm sure it wont be the last since it looks like there are a lot of helpful people on here.

The backlight of my shifter has been out since I purchased my car. One miracle night it did turn on briefly, but that's it all I have ever seen of it. (Suggesting it may be wiring etc?)

Decided to start somewhere and replace the bulb; it did in fact have a damaged filament. No luck.

Any ideas on what could be causing the outage?

Ps. This is my first car so I technically know very little. As a DIY kinda guy I'm happy to learn as I go.

***heartdisease*** · 05-30-2011, 10:17 PM

Check for continuity, check the fuse?

YeahDino · 05-30-2011, 11:10 PM

Thanks for the the quick response.

As I said, I know jack about cars, so I had to figuer out how to check what you mentioned.

The fuses in my main cluster seem fine, with the exception of the 20amp dome fuse (a minor .1 ohms), they all registered no resistance. I checked the resistance between the two prongs of the bulb socket, and again zero. If that is the correct method, then it seems like everything should be working. I believe I'm using the right bulbs too (194LL). Stumped.

***heartdisease*** · 05-31-2011, 08:44 AM

I am not much of an electrical guru

If it has continuity in the circut, power and ground then it should work, I don't know what else to check. I am sure someone else on here could help you more though lots of gurus on here who have done it all.

azcorolla · 05-31-2011, 07:21 PM

Assuming your other dash lights work - have you checked for voltage at the light? Should have 12 volts on one side and the other should be ground. If no voltage (probably won't have any) then trace the wire back and see if you can find it unplugged, loose, or broken.

Bitter · 05-31-2011, 07:45 PM

are the contacts inside the socket...making contact? bend them out a little with a paperclip to make sure.

YeahDino · 06-09-2011, 12:53 PM

Thought I would write a follow up post in case someone is as dumb as me.

In order to determine the functionality, voltage etc of the back light bulb YOU MUST TURN YOUR LIGHTS ON. I somehow never clued into this most obvious fact, and thus was stoked the other night to find out my back light bulb change was indeed successful. Thanks for the help.

PS. avoid removing the bulb socket from the dish. It will be hell trying to get it back in; as of now mine kinda rests partially in the hole.