jonas's RX

Gang

If you have the will, you can do anything h
my 01 RX w/ 46K instrument " D " cluster light just went out
and the dealer tells me it is $200 to replace the $4 light

Thx to Club Lexus, I found the instructions on how to pull
the dash apart but ... it did take me "2 hours" as I had problems
putting the dash back after the speedometer needle swung past
the reset button after I tilted the cluster out and having to find
a dropped clip for one of the panel

At the end of the day , there is a happy ending ! D light back on
and saved $200 from having to take the car to the stealership.

I wondered why the RX330 does not have the " D " light issue
oh well .. happy motoring

99rx

iTrader: (6)

Awesome! It always feels good to have a DIY be a success!

6.0PSD

I've had the "D" and I believe "2" lights out since I purchased my rx... I don't look at them lights much or even the shifter gauge as I just push lock button in on the shifter just to get it out of park then release button once it is in R which then shift lever will just move out of R into N and into D without pushing in lock button and it stops at D and will not go past it without pushing lock again if 1 or 2 is needed... so never need to see the light to confirm it's in D but would like to get it fixed one day just for looks I guess... To go from D to N lock is again not needed but to go up to R or P then lock needs to be pressed, and vehicle at a complete stop of course...

Did you by chance find any videos related to taking apart the rx300 cluster?

aznlapin

I've gotten so good at taking apart the cluster, I can take it out, swap the bulb and button it all back up in 10 minutes.
Just need a stubby screwdriver and knowledge on where to pull to remove the trim pieces.

I suggest replacing the bulbs with LEDs, especially the D light and headlight on light since they are prone to going out. They're always on.
Also make sure your check engine bulb is good, burnt one won't help you.

jonas's RX

Hi Gang

i think the first time it was a bit challenging because of the dreaded
2 screws in the cluster cover but once those came out, I had to tackle
the 2 other accessories panel ( the key and the mirror panel) as they are
held in by clips. I also had to unplug the cluster which was tough as they
Were never removed for over 14 yrs.

once they came out, my speedometer needle were tilted pass the reset button
once I retilted the needle back to the right position, it was easy

i that if I redid again, I can do it within 30 minutes

6.0PSD

Do you by chance know where to get them leds?

aznlapin

ebay or I fashion my own from standard 3mm LEDs.
My map light, door lights, courtesy lights, shifter light are all LEDs now. My old cluster was also LED until it died on me randomly and I had to source one from a salvage.

IM QUIKR

The downside the LEDs is they are not dimmable. I pulled the bulb from the L position and moved it to D. The price for these bulbs is rediculous. The next time it dies, I plan to go to a local junk yard and scoop up a bag of bulbs from donor cars

salimshah

I replaced mine many years ago and the price is high but was less than $10.00. My labor time and the risk (things do go wrong doing repairs) is not worth doing it again so a fresh bulb is more desirable. The replacement (new form dealer) has outlasted the original ... making me think that the Lexus supply is superior than what went in at the factory.

If I am not mistaken, the part numbers are different amongst the indicator bulbs.
Salim

jonas's RX

All is not lost gang, I bought my 01 RX about a yr ago with 38K
on the odometer and the light just went out at 46K.

That is 15yrs ! I had to do a number of maintance on the car
in the last year due to the age of the car but still no regreats
as I think the 1st generation is the most iconic RX made to-date