main dash light
#1
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
main dash light
I know this is an odd question,(but thats me) Does anyone know if the actual dash light ever burns out??
Last edited by lexus114; 02-27-09 at 07:29 AM.
#3
Moderator
If you are talking about the display lights [intensity controlled by the ****] they turn on when you turn manual-lights to park or auto (based on ambient light),,, they too can burn out, but they are more than one. You would notice portion of the display to be dark. If you ever need to replace them, I recommend doing all as they will start popping one by one.
No guarantee, but you can extend the life by keeping the dial at less than max. In any case, full bright setting is too bright for me. Its been 10yrs, the only one I needed to replace in dash has been the "D" light (2 times).
Salim
Last edited by salimshah; 02-27-09 at 11:52 AM.
#4
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
I did not exactly get your question ... warning lamps [they can go bad ,, and they cycle ON when you twist the ignition key to on/run-before start. A good driver always check that they are working]
If you are talking about the display lights [intensity controlled by the ****] they turn on when you turn manual-lights to park or auto (based on ambient light),,, they too can burn out, but they are more than one. You would notice portion of the display to be dark. If you ever need to replace them, I recommend doing all as they will start popping one by one.
No guarantee, but you can extend the life by keeping the dial at less than max. In any case, full bright setting is too bright for me. Its been 10yrs, the only one I needed to replace in dash has been the "D" light (2 times).
Salim
If you are talking about the display lights [intensity controlled by the ****] they turn on when you turn manual-lights to park or auto (based on ambient light),,, they too can burn out, but they are more than one. You would notice portion of the display to be dark. If you ever need to replace them, I recommend doing all as they will start popping one by one.
No guarantee, but you can extend the life by keeping the dial at less than max. In any case, full bright setting is too bright for me. Its been 10yrs, the only one I needed to replace in dash has been the "D" light (2 times).
Salim
#5
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lexus114, the dash light that illuminates the numbers and tic marks (everything white) is illuminated by one single miniature cold cathode tube. It's in the shape of an L, goes across the cluster end to end. It's approx 1/4 inch thick and a foot long. There is a sheet of clear acrylic between the tube and the cluster face with tiny "cuts" that reflect the light across the cluster. VERY nice engineering
There are no "bulbs" that illuminate anything in the cluster, other than the ones for the pilot lights.
The cold cathode tube should last the lifetime of the car. It will loose brightness overtime and get more 'yellowish' but shouldn't "die" completely.
I know so much about this because i did an LED conversion in the cluster to get a crisper white. Wired 60 white LED's in a long strip which replaced the cathode tube
There are no "bulbs" that illuminate anything in the cluster, other than the ones for the pilot lights.
The cold cathode tube should last the lifetime of the car. It will loose brightness overtime and get more 'yellowish' but shouldn't "die" completely.
I know so much about this because i did an LED conversion in the cluster to get a crisper white. Wired 60 white LED's in a long strip which replaced the cathode tube
#6
The last time I took the dash light out to replace the "D" bulb, there looked like there were several bulbs for different areas. There is no "big bulb" that lights a big portion of the dash. Looks like they'll blow (if they do) one at a time. So, one day your speedo goes, the next maybe the tach. then etc.
#7
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
lexus114, the dash light that illuminates the numbers and tic marks (everything white) is illuminated by one single miniature cold cathode tube. It's in the shape of an L, goes across the cluster end to end. It's approx 1/4 inch thick and a foot long. There is a sheet of clear acrylic between the tube and the cluster face with tiny "cuts" that reflect the light across the cluster. VERY nice engineering
There are no "bulbs" that illuminate anything in the cluster, other than the ones for the pilot lights.
The cold cathode tube should last the lifetime of the car. It will loose brightness overtime and get more 'yellowish' but shouldn't "die" completely.
I know so much about this because i did an LED conversion in the cluster to get a crisper white. Wired 60 white LED's in a long strip which replaced the cathode tube
There are no "bulbs" that illuminate anything in the cluster, other than the ones for the pilot lights.
The cold cathode tube should last the lifetime of the car. It will loose brightness overtime and get more 'yellowish' but shouldn't "die" completely.
I know so much about this because i did an LED conversion in the cluster to get a crisper white. Wired 60 white LED's in a long strip which replaced the cathode tube
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#9
Moderator
I need to verify, but there is a unique way the needles are lit , vs the cluster. For now I think both answers are correct.
Salim
Salim
#10
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The needles on the Rx300 are illuminated by the same light from the cathode. They're not independently illuminated.
Well they are on my rx300's cluster, but i made them like that lol...
Well they are on my rx300's cluster, but i made them like that lol...
#13
Moderator
There was a big hoopla when RX was introduced about the pure white light for the needles (and the numbers of the dial).
Cduluk .. what are the top row of holes for in the white plastic?
Also thank you for the detailed photos.
Salim
Cduluk .. what are the top row of holes for in the white plastic?
Also thank you for the detailed photos.
Salim
#15
Moderator
#11 last picture shows a row of holes at the bottom and a row holes (in an arc) at the top.
The bottom holes are for warning lamps and the top holes is what I was asking about. Usually the cluster does not have large holes without purpose .. things can crawl in and even dust inside the cluster is very annoying ... so whole thing is typically closed (not vacuum level close). The electronics are the bulbs are supposed to be low heat generating source. [Hint cold cathode]
Salim
The bottom holes are for warning lamps and the top holes is what I was asking about. Usually the cluster does not have large holes without purpose .. things can crawl in and even dust inside the cluster is very annoying ... so whole thing is typically closed (not vacuum level close). The electronics are the bulbs are supposed to be low heat generating source. [Hint cold cathode]
Salim