DIY write-up for instrument gauge cluster - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

lexusk8 · 05-30-2006, 11:13 PM

The project was for my wife's '98 CE, and it was easier than I thought it would be. Lasted no more than 20 minutes tops

The objective was to replace the burnt out 194 bulb that provides the backlighting for the right part of the speedometer. Here are the steps:

1) Locate and remove the 2 Philips screws (circled in yellow) on top of the gauge cluster plastic frame.

2) Pull the frame out grasping the top and bottom ends (you may need to use a screwdriver to gently pop out the sides). Don't worry about the plastic material of the frame; it's fairly strong.

3) The instrument cluster should now look like in the pic below. Next, locate and remove 3 Philips screws (circled in yellow) from the actual cluster.

4) Lift the cluster up and out of the dashboard, and unclip the 4 electrical connectors from the cluster.

5) To access the backlighting bulbs, locate the 3 green-colored sockets (circled in yellow) on the back side of the cluster. Just twist to unlock, and pull out the 194 bulb attached to the socket. It's that easy

The pic below shows the burnt out bulb on the far left, what the actual bulb looks like in the middle (with the green rubber cap), and a brand new 194LL clear bulb ($2.75 for a 2-pack from Wal-mart). The green rubber cap must be saved for the new bulbs since that is how the green colored backlighting is obtained. Of course you can put in a different color rubber cap (like blue or red) but my wife loves the stock green. You can find these rubber caps at your local auto parts or performance shop, or find a local dealer at http://www.autometer.com.

Hope this helps anyone out there with backlighting problems or issues

-Doug

519 · 05-30-2006, 11:54 PM

Whoa nice write up mann
I actually have the same exact problem. The light at the right end of my speedo is burnt out. Will definitely use.

krisb1999 · 05-31-2006, 12:31 AM

Ooooohhh, that's cool! I wonder if my '05 Corolla S will come apart in a similar way...instead of having the speedometer/tach backlit in white, I could make them....bluuuuuue....

or maybe red, to match the car...and make it look like the inside of a nuclear attack submarine.

ToyotaMan1281 · 05-31-2006, 01:23 AM

nice write up man. will mine come apart the same? 2006 rolla le

cuzman · 05-31-2006, 01:25 AM

just a note while its apart just whack in a tacho dash with low k's..it works perfect and you get the tacho..and low k's..lol
I did it with my ae92...no mods needed

519 · 05-31-2006, 04:08 PM

^^

then sell it with a lower than real mileage!
CHA CHING!!

***REN69*** · 05-31-2006, 04:39 PM

Remind me not to buy your cars!

cuzman · 05-31-2006, 09:45 PM

i did have it for sale at one stage and i told a guy the corect milage! 210,00! k's
the shell and rear end....the front only has about 50,000k's
the odo only has about 110,00 k's
SO many bits are new ..so really the milage is 'nt very signifcant!

digital_racer · 06-01-2006, 01:02 AM

Has anyone changed their dash bulbs with colored ones without replacing the "condom" thingy. Will it also change the color of the needle?

cuzman · 06-01-2006, 01:38 AM

yep just use the condom thingy!!!but its not that bright.
if you can get couled ones well sweet!
the needle is still the same colour but with a coloured back ground..and a coloured tindge does that make sence?
it does look cool but..
not the same as after market or new guages though..but its cheap and easy..

Mr. Camry · 12-06-2008, 08:22 PM

Awesome tutorial. I just used it to change my instrument panel lights on my 2001 Camry. I changed all five and used a sixth for the license plate. The #194 bulbs were $2 something/pair at Walmart. Thanks again from snowy Cleveland.

2damaxsupra · 02-01-2009, 05:28 AM

let me add something to this excellent post. if the bulb has been burned out for a longtime the condom tend to melt on to the bulb. the bulb ( with the condom is only 1.50 from your local toyota dealership).

Rekord · 10-05-2009, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2damaxsupra

let me add something to this excellent post. if the bulb has been burned out for a longtime the condom tend to melt on to the bulb. the bulb ( with the condom is only 1.50 from your local toyota dealership).

Well said! Happened to me - can't reuse the ruber cap. Will replace with colored orange bulb (same as stock) or red ? or blue?.

Thanks a lot for the nice write-up and for the bulb code ! 194! Been looking for it and Sylvania doesn't list dash board light on their website so I was confusing (168 looks like 194). Again thanks!

***PhatRoyale*** · 10-05-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rekord

Well said! Happened to me - can't reuse the ruber cap. Will replace with colored orange bulb (same as stock) or red ? or blue?.

Thanks a lot for the nice write-up and for the bulb code ! 194! Been looking for it and Sylvania doesn't list dash board light on their website so I was confusing (168 looks like 194). Again thanks!

Goto the dealer and get the bulb there, they sell it with the rubber cap preinstalled.

MistuhVinhie · 10-05-2009, 01:06 AM

wish they got a tutorial for ac heater control the other tutrioal = ( didn't told you the specfic bulb = (