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Here is an idea that I thought of to fix the gauge cluster needles with 1 - LED per needle, or 2 - LEDS per needle(one on each end of the fiber optic rod). The pics should help explain. If you have questions please feel free to ask. This tutorial is to keep it as simple as possible. the clear plastic fiber optic rod can be bought from ebay.com or amazon.com
I used 3mm diameter fiber optic rod. I would recommend using 2mm or 1mm (if you can find it). 3mm barely fits and causes the needle plastic to widen when used.
stock gauge needle with white LED plastic innards removed. to remove the white innards use a tiny (eyeglass size) angled screwdriver pick on the black plastic circles that hold it in place (ex. see in this picture the 4 black plastic pieces remaining on the needles counter-weights). DO NOT Remove the Counterweights! you will regret it.
Goop is the clear silicone-like adhesive I planned to use. It is easily removable if you mess up.
Here is the white innards of the needle snipped from its base. I put it next to the clear rod for viewing comparison. Remember to snip just enough off of the clear rod to fit your LED in the needle.
SMD LED Manufacturer: OSRAM
Manufacturer part number: LS Q976-NR-1
Digikey,com part number: 475-2512-1-ND
Voltage information for the needles.<br/>small needle - is 9.9 volts<br/>large needle - is 11 volts<br/>these measurements were taken with my voltmeter with my gauge cluster in the dash while the car was on.
This is what I currently have installed, and I love the results. It requires a whole lot more work.
closer pic for resistor values.
I am happy with my current needle brightness. This DIY is to help those who are in need of fixing their needles in a different and much simpler method.
Depending on which LED you purchase from digikey.com or radioshack you can enter the LED's forward current rating (in milliamps [ma]), and the gauge cluster's supply voltage (9.9volts or 11volts...see pic above) into this resistor value calculator located here - http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz.
Based on the example, I entered into the calculator the needed resistor value for the led to function without burning out would be 560 ohms.
Instead of using a 1/4 watt resistor, I would use a 1/8 watt resistor of the same ohm value that the calculator gave. Considering it is much smaller in size and would add less weight to the needle. Therefore it will not throw off the needles accuracy.
Here is a youtube video I made which describes the easy technique shown here, and shows the how to do the difficult technique I have performed on my LED gauge needles.
The epoxy I used to secure it to the inside needle plastic is a product called "The Amazing GOOP". It comes in a blue, toothpaste style tube. It can be bought at Walmart, Home depot, or Lowes hardware.
This is pretty awesome and not hard by any DIY standards. I was building a whole new gauge set for my car but it would make the interior look too tacky... this is an excellent fix to an abhorrent design flaw for all Lexus cars of that era. Great job kene!
OPTION 3: This option was posted by the member UZinator on the ES300/ES330 forums. the needles for the ES300 ('97-'01) seem to be a direct fit and are another easier and more up to date option for needle replacement.
In his thread he mentioned 95-96.. Curious what year I need to look for. This seems like a great option and I would definitely like to go the ES300 needles! Just gotta find the right ones.
02-09-15, 06:28 PM
DIY Gauge Cluster LED Needle fix
This needs to be done. Thanks for the DIY.
