Instrument Cluster Drive Gear Indicator Light Out
04-06-09, 01:41 PM
#107
Pole Position
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04-07-09, 12:42 PM
#108
Lexus Champion
Im surprised all of my bulbs dont pop out from these roads!! glad to hear its a quick fix though.
The P bulb is under the white. Don't start 3 down from R :P
01-11-10, 04:56 PM
#111
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You will need to remove the 2 philip head screws on the upper part of black plastic cover around the cluster. Then remove the plastic trim around the ignition key cylinder and another plastic trim on the left side ( the seat memory and remote mirror switch are in this trim) and both of these trims just pop out.
After remove the black plastic cover around the cluster, you will need to remove 3 move philip head screws that hold the cluster. Remove the cluster out of its housing and carefully disconnect 3 connectors.
Then place the cluster face down on a towel to protect the clear cover. You will see the 'D' light from the back side. Just count the indicator light start from the bottom until you get to ' D'. Just use a small flat head screw driver and turn counter clockwise to remove the bulb. If you are not sure it's the right bulb you just removes, just shine the flash light behind it . Good luck.
After remove the black plastic cover around the cluster, you will need to remove 3 move philip head screws that hold the cluster. Remove the cluster out of its housing and carefully disconnect 3 connectors.
Then place the cluster face down on a towel to protect the clear cover. You will see the 'D' light from the back side. Just count the indicator light start from the bottom until you get to ' D'. Just use a small flat head screw driver and turn counter clockwise to remove the bulb. If you are not sure it's the right bulb you just removes, just shine the flash light behind it . Good luck.
01-19-10, 08:18 PM
#112
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Process To Replace "D" Light
I know this is a very old thread, but light bulbs continue to burn out.
I am in great debt to those who have made the previous excellent postings, but have my own additional comments and suggestions after having done the thing myself.
When removing the two "trim pieces" and the black trim piece surrounding the instrument cluster, please be advised that the metal clips may break, pop out (and become lost), or become bent and unusable. So, it may be a good idea to purchase 3-5 of these in advance (appx. $.50 apiece), before you begin this project. I lost and/or distended three clips in the process, one from each trim piece. You don't want to put it back together without the right clips in place, otherwise rattles will likely occur.
When removing the black trim piece surrounding the instrument cluster, you should disconnect the electrical connector on the left hand side before attempting to pull the piece out. There is a small tab on the top of the white electical connector. By pushing down on the tab and pulling out (rearwardly)at the same time, the plug should be removable from the socket.
I did not pull the three electrical connector plugs out from the rear side of the instrument cluster. An earlier post stated that by rotating the cluster into the right position, the dreaded "D" bulb can be removed and replaced. This is true, but don't try it with the "P" (for park) bulb. You can't get to it. If you want to replace all of the bulbs, you will have to pull the three connector plugs out. They are not a piece of cake to pull out, unless you have very skilled hands and eyes that can peer over the back side when pulling.
Lastly, the plastic of the base of the bulbs I purchase was rather "soft". As a consequence, when screwing in the replacement bulb(s), be careful not to strip the groove into which the screwdriver blade is inserted. Get a screwdriver that has a blade very close to the dimension of the groove/slit in the base of the bulb. Make sure the bulb in securely seated. Otherwise, you'll be doing it all again. Not fun.
Good luck,
Owner of 1999 RX-300 (REXY)
I am in great debt to those who have made the previous excellent postings, but have my own additional comments and suggestions after having done the thing myself.
When removing the two "trim pieces" and the black trim piece surrounding the instrument cluster, please be advised that the metal clips may break, pop out (and become lost), or become bent and unusable. So, it may be a good idea to purchase 3-5 of these in advance (appx. $.50 apiece), before you begin this project. I lost and/or distended three clips in the process, one from each trim piece. You don't want to put it back together without the right clips in place, otherwise rattles will likely occur.
When removing the black trim piece surrounding the instrument cluster, you should disconnect the electrical connector on the left hand side before attempting to pull the piece out. There is a small tab on the top of the white electical connector. By pushing down on the tab and pulling out (rearwardly)at the same time, the plug should be removable from the socket.
I did not pull the three electrical connector plugs out from the rear side of the instrument cluster. An earlier post stated that by rotating the cluster into the right position, the dreaded "D" bulb can be removed and replaced. This is true, but don't try it with the "P" (for park) bulb. You can't get to it. If you want to replace all of the bulbs, you will have to pull the three connector plugs out. They are not a piece of cake to pull out, unless you have very skilled hands and eyes that can peer over the back side when pulling.
Lastly, the plastic of the base of the bulbs I purchase was rather "soft". As a consequence, when screwing in the replacement bulb(s), be careful not to strip the groove into which the screwdriver blade is inserted. Get a screwdriver that has a blade very close to the dimension of the groove/slit in the base of the bulb. Make sure the bulb in securely seated. Otherwise, you'll be doing it all again. Not fun.
Good luck,
Owner of 1999 RX-300 (REXY)
04-30-10, 07:33 PM
#115
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I changed mine in 2000 RX300 in about 20 min using the pics in this thread. Thanks to all of you who posted instructions and clarifications. Bought the bulb at dealer for about $8.
05-02-10, 12:50 PM
#117
Moderator
These are miniature bulbs [12v is my guess] ... the wattage is more important. I would only replace it with the OEM. This assures proper size, (even) illumination as well as amount of heat it produces. I am on 3rd bulb with 150k miles plus.
Instrument cluster is not a good place to test out alternatives.
Salim
Instrument cluster is not a good place to test out alternatives.
Salim
05-04-10, 07:48 PM
#119
Thanks to everyone here. I just replaced mine with $11 out of pocket in about 20 minutes.
one thing I would recommend is to use magnetic tip screw drivers, or you may spend another 10 minutes to find a screw gone missing inside the console.
one thing I would recommend is to use magnetic tip screw drivers, or you may spend another 10 minutes to find a screw gone missing inside the console.
