DIY - Change cluster Lighting - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Liter · 10-23-2005, 02:51 PM

So since i can't use those blue led bulbs i figured don't let them go to waste. So heres a DIY of taking you cluster out and replacing stock lights. PS for a 1989 corolla sr5.

Things you will need: Phillips screwdriver...thats it make sure its a good pne cause these screws are old and are in htere really tight, last thing you want is to strip them. Try to use a screwdriver that is magnetic becasue the first time i did this i lost 3 screws back tehre. This time i found one

Previous cluster lighting

Screw Placement

Take out bottom panel (notice the 6.5" speaker i squeezed in there )

Take out vent panel be gentle but it will take some force to get it off from the steering column

Take off top panel disconnect 3 wire harnesses(at the underside of all of them is the tab to get them out) Also there is 1 screw at the right of the steering column take you can only take out after you take the vent column out.

4 screws to get the actual cluster out...pull hard to disconnect it but dont pull to far away cause there are 3 more wire harnesses that dont have much give to them that you have to disconnect.

Change the bulbs...there are 3 bulbs you can change i only had 2 leds so i took the little blue condoms off the old ones and put them on that one so its a blueish white. The 3 that you change are the 3 blue slots. Twist counter clockwise to remove.

Remove old bulb replace with new and then test. In order to test just hook up the 3 wire harnesses DO NOT turn your car on. Lights will come on just by turning switch.

This entire process will only take you a hour at max for your first time...afterwards when you do it again it will be like 15mins.

Still daylight out but you get the idea

Good luck (sticky?)

***REN69*** · 10-23-2005, 03:12 PM

Just a question.. how did you get around the rubber piece that sits around the key cylinder for the ignition.. did you just pull and forget about it or did you actually take out the cylinder assembly to actually be able to put it back on? I'm guessing that's the only way because I did it the "pull it and forget about it" way.

TokyoRacer · 10-23-2005, 03:14 PM

Take a pic at night..I think the LED's won't dispurse the light very well..I think some people sand the bulbs roudned tops off to help with that a bit usually..also..Whatd you do to get those 6.5" in the front?

Liter · 10-23-2005, 05:54 PM

LOL thats exactly what i did ren! Last time i used a screwdriver to pull its completly threw, but this time i looked at it and said f that.

They actually disperse the light pretty good that was something i was worried about because LEDs only have a range of 15 degrees. But im definatley gonna have to do it again and replace the middle one as well. It just doesnt look right, ill take a pic when i got to cdn tire to buy another blue set.

As for the speakers i used apoxy glue and made some mock up brackets for them. Only problem was that on the right hand side i had to cut into the glove box in order for it to fit.

SR5_4WD · 10-23-2005, 07:05 PM

Thats a good demonstration. I have the same car as you and I'm interested in having a blue or red display. Exactly what bulbs did you use ???
Plus: The pic of the back part of the dash plate- where are these lights and how many are there??
Thanks

TokyoRacer · 10-23-2005, 07:12 PM

The bulbs are 194's..Canadian Tire has alot of different Colours...Blue bulbs generally lgiht up more Aquamarine though...I have red bulbs in mine.

The bubls are the little knobish looking things.

SR5_4WD · 10-23-2005, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TokyoRacer

The bulbs are 194's..Canadian Tire has alot of different Colours...Blue bulbs generally lgiht up more Aquamarine though...I have red bulbs in mine.

The bubls are the little knobish looking things.

Ok he said you could only replace 3, but I see like 7 or more. Whats that about?
All I want it to do is look bluish, and for the light to be almost as even as stock. What must I do?
OH and also that greenish yellow thing- is that the odometer thing? How does it unhook from the rest of the car, and how is it put back in?
Thanks in advance

PS - I also see "mini" lights too. is that what they are??

Liter · 10-23-2005, 07:28 PM

eurolite led bulbs to be exact

As you can see i didnt have 3 bulbs so i didnt change the middle one. Im gonna change it and try usin sand paper on them too. I'll post once i do that. Do not get those icy hot ones they are terrible.

Liter · 10-23-2005, 07:31 PM

The 2 middle black ones are for turn signals the rest are for things like engine temp gas gauge, oil light warning, low fuel warning. The 3 blue knobs are for the cluster lighting themselves. As soon as i get another pack im gonna change the temp and air control bulbs.

SR5_4WD · 10-23-2005, 07:32 PM

Thanks, make sure you let me know one way or another. I want it to look professional and classy. thanks again!

TokyoRacer · 10-23-2005, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SR5_4WD

Ok he said you could only replace 3, but I see like 7 or more. Whats that about?
All I want it to do is look bluish, and for the light to be almost as even as stock. What must I do?
OH and also that greenish yellow thing- is that the odometer thing? How does it unhook from the rest of the car, and how is it put back in?
Thanks in advance

PS - I also see "mini" lights too. is that what they are??

You don't need to change some of the lghits because they are behind colour plastic..and the mini lights are for like, seat belt, engine, etc etc...which also are behind colour palstic..I changed I think 4-5 bulbs on my car to red..I'll go take a pic of how mine illuminate. And if you want an even OEM light output don't use LED bulbs.

TokyoRacer · 10-23-2005, 07:48 PM

My HighBeam indicator lights up Pink because it lights thru blue palstic and I have a red bulb in there..you don't need to cahnge that one..I think I Just had an extra bulb or soemthing. lol. Here's both version thoguh..with and without my pink Highbeam light.

SR5_4WD · 10-23-2005, 07:56 PM

Oh thats sweet!! And you used red LED bulbs?
That would look good in my car. Here is a pic of the dash. My camera sucks so remember it looks blue but it's really white.

TokyoRacer · 10-23-2005, 08:08 PM

No..I did not use LED bulbs, they will Have Bright Spots and dim spots..I used regular 194 Bulbs... The only thing with red Is you can't differentiate the redline..but you should know where it is anyways so.

***REN69*** · 10-23-2005, 08:22 PM

Looks pink.. hehe.. Liter! you forgot the middle bulb!