Need to change lights in dash panel - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

nygem26 · 11-26-2007, 09:36 AM

Does anyone know how to change the light bulbs in the dash panel of the 2001 Corolla Sport? Is this something easy I can do? Half of my dash lights have burned out, the right side that has the lights for the gas tank...not so great at night when you can't see it. I really don't feel like playing a mechanic an arm and a leg to change that for me. Can anyone help?

GTChink · 11-26-2007, 01:00 PM

I've never removed the one on my 98 but I've done it on my old mr2. The corolla's actually looks easier. I believe there are 2 screws at the top of the black trim around the cluster. I might be wrong (car is not with me right now). But if there is, and you remove the screws, it should be easy to pop the entire cluster out towards you..and you might have to disconnect a few switches in order to pull the cluster fully out. Then if you look at the back you should be able to see some knobs to turn and inside them there should be the bulbs.

nygem26 · 11-26-2007, 02:39 PM

Thanks! I will try it out when I get home.

What about the lights for the temperature knob? Is that as easy?

GTChink · 11-26-2007, 05:38 PM

ooh oops were you asking about the gauge cluster or just the middle console panel in your first post?

In any case, the middle center console where the radio and HVAC controls are is easy too if I remember correctly. Remove the ashtray and the cigarette lighter. Then, using a flathead screwdriver with a towel, insert it anywhere along the trim that surrounds the hvac controls and it should pop off. Oh yeah, you might as well pull the hvac knobs off as well. Then, once the trim is out of the way, you should be able to see the screws that hold the hvac unit in place....remove them and out comes the hvac unit. However, I've never tapped inside the unit itself to see if the bulbs are reachable. If you dare try it, let us know with an update

Thanks

nygem26 · 11-27-2007, 10:00 AM

I was actually asking about both....

So I went to Autozone and they told me that it will be complicated to change the lights because it's a cluster or something. I don't know much about cars but as a girl, I can change most of my burnt out lights. Then I went to Strauss to see if they had the lightbulb and then one of the guys there told me that it's an electrical problem and not a burnt out lightbulb. I'm kind of stuck now because I'm not sure who to believe.

Any input?

GTChink · 11-27-2007, 01:33 PM

I'd still try to remove the cluster from the center console and look at the back and see. Most likely it's just another few screws to remove..but can't be that hard. Go ahead, just try it. You never know. Oh yeah, remember to disconnect the battery's negative terminal before you tackle the dash.

lexusk8 · 11-28-2007, 04:58 PM

I did a DIY write-up on changing the bulbs of the instrument cluster last year. Here's the link below:

DIY write-up for instrument gauge cluster

Young James · 12-15-2007, 06:51 PM

I just swapped mine with 194 wide angle LED blue bulbs and it looks a lot better than stock. Not hot spots whatsoever, and everything lights up perfect. Normal LED bulbs didn't work because I only had 3 bright spots on the cluster before, right where the bulbs were too. Looked crappy so I bought other led ones, and we are back in business. Now I need to get the climate control bulbs changed. Went everywhere looking for the bulbs, even to the dealer, who by which said it was the right bulbs but when I got it home, they were way off. Some hard finding the bulb I need

FortKnox · 03-24-2008, 02:21 AM

I changed the lights on heater controls in my '01 and it was super easy. Just pull the main trim ring off from around the radio and ashtray, the large bezel piece, it just snaps on and off. Then unscrew the heater control unit. There are four phillips head gold screws that hold the unit in. Once loose slide the unit forward a few inches. On the top you will see two (or 3?) light bulb units. Unscrew the butt oice and replace the bulb. Take care to not loose the green gel covers for the lights, that is how they get their greenish glow. Super Easy, light bulbs are $3 apiece from Toyota, and it took me about an hour...including the trip to Schmucks....

LEcorolla01 · 04-29-2008, 07:59 AM

I just replaced the bulbs in the gauge cluster. There are two screws on top which you have to remove. After that I used two screwdrivers to work the panel loose down to the clips. Do that on both sides then pop it off. (you may have to adjust your steering wheel to get the panel out). There should be 3 screws that you have to remove after that on the cluster itself. Take those out and the gauge cluster should come right out. On the back at least with my car there are 3 larger green knobs (each with a bulb) which you turn, pull out and thats where the bulbs are. Advance Auto Parts had them for 3-4 dollars for two. I changed the colors and they look great.

DjiNN · 04-29-2008, 09:53 AM

What the brand of bulbs did you guys use? Sylvania? Toyota OEM?

BigTDogg (MA) · 04-29-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DjiNN

What the brand of bulbs did you guys use? Sylvania? Toyota OEM?

For the dash you can use pretty much any 194 sized bulb. For the climate control, you can only use Toyota OEM.

For the climate control, can you pull it far enough out even with the metal wires for the recirc and hot/cold attached? I have the bulbs, but didn't think to try replacing them with the unit in.

gaj1967 · 04-29-2008, 11:16 AM

I think I used 194's in the climate control since that's what Toyota pulled out for me when I went. They wanted like $10 each so I just went to NAPA and got them there since I was doing the climate and dash for two cars. The 194's are a smaller bulb than the real ones and the rubber covers are hard to stay on (probably used a little glue) especially since you can't pull out the climate controls far. I did that last year so I'm not 100% that's what I did. My memory isn't that great. Oh look, a butterfly.... now what were we talking about?

Gil