foreste1

Can somebody give me step by step directions please to pull instrument cluster I want to install new led bulbs, the old ones are just too dim even at full brightness. I read some old threads but dont see step by step and some say remove steering wheel and other say no you do not need to remove steering wheel, which I do not want to remove it.

sexusc430

You do not need to take off the steering wheel, and unfortunately they are welded on, I've wanted to change it but don't want to attempt it lol

Jabberwock

The cluster on a 2004 is pretty easy to remove. Move the steering wheel all the way out and down for ease of access. The surround trim assembly (big plastic trim piece surrounding the cluster dials) is held on by 4 tabs. Pull gently but firmly straight back and out on the surround trim assembly. It should pop out with just firm pressure. Once the cluster trim surround is removed there are four screws that attach the cluster to the dash. Remove the four screws and then the cluster will come loose. Gently remove one cable connection from behind the cluster and the cluster can them be removed.

Lights in the 2004 cluster are soldered in led surface mount lights. There are a few places (web search instrument or gauge cluster repair) that you can send the cluster to get lights replaced or different color lights but not sure they could be any brighter.

foreste1

Ok thank you very much! I was hoping I could just order new bulbs and switch them out but if I need to send some where probably will stay with my boring cluster lights!!

TaninAuto

Hi, Tanin Auto Electronix here. We are vendors on the site that specialize in instrument cluster repair as well as selling DIY parts for customer repairs. We have LEDs available and you can confirm the ones that you need and check on our site for part match but look at this link for the BA9S Reverse Polarity Lexus SC430, Mercedes, BMW, Audi LED:

http://www.taninautoelectronix.com/B...9s_reverse.htm

This LED is reverse polarity. Positive voltage is on the outer shell, negative is at the bottom point. For many European vehicles and also Lexus SC430.
Replacement for the following bulb part numbers:
1445, 17053, 1815, 1816, 182, 1889, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1895, 1895A, 216, 293, 363, 3886X, 3893, 53, 53X, 57, 6253, 64111, 64113, 64115, 756, 1896, 51

Feel free to give us a call tomorrow, 9-5pm CST and speak with one of our sales team with any questions on parts. We hope we can help you out and save you some money and hassle on this repair.

Thanks,

ShawnOk

iTrader: (1)

I don't think the bulbs which you have referenced have any relation to the instrument cluster. The link you've provided would suffice for the overhead map lights in the SC430, as they have reverse polarity. I believe the only way to change the LEDs on the instrument cluster, as indicated in the previous posts above, would be to unsolder the current LEDs and resolder new, brighter LEDs. Do you offer this service at TaninAuto?

TaninAuto

Unfortunately, we do not offer that service here presently. Hopefully in the future we will for our Club Lexus customers! Sorry the bulbs posted above won't work for what you are looking for. The bulb numbers are in the post just incase they can help anyone out with future LED replacement needs for the SC430.

TaninAuto

We now offer this service for the SC430

http://www.taninautoelectronix.com/R...430_repair.htm

We also have complete clusters for sale:

http://www.taninautoelectronix.com/2...30_cluster.htm

ShawnOk

iTrader: (1)

Hello again, so with this service in your newest post; it is to only repair damaged LED's, correct? Have you found a way to increase the brightness of the OEM LEDs? or replace the OEM LED's with increased "wattage" LED's? Across the years, I believe the 2010 had the special instrument cluster that was MUCH brighter than the older 2001-2009, but I can't recall the name of the feature (maybe someone can chime in). Anyway Tanin, have you find a way to increase brightness?

Other members have done it, as well as the entire radio and A/C unit. Changed to white LED. Not sure how but here's one example. If you are able to do it, I would be VERY interested in all (radio, cluster, and A/C unit). https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...-of-sc430.html

TaninAuto

The picture in our link is about 3 times brighter than what we started with. If your cluster looks like the picture then we can't make it brighter. If it looks like every other 10-15 year old SC430 cluster we have seen, then we can.

We don't specialize in radios, only clusters and climates. We haven't seen a radio or climate for this model so we can't say what is feasible and for what $ amount, but if it can be done then we can do it.

ShawnOk

iTrader: (1)

Great to hear! Just as a side note, where are you located?

texsexlex

iTrader: (3)

...under their name it's listed as Wisconsin, so maybe they are located there.....lol...typing this, I thought this sounds like I'm being funny, but I really wasn't....lol

ShawnOk

iTrader: (1)

Haha thanks TexSexLex. I was using the mobile version on my tablet and it doesn't show as much info on the forum. Thanks though!

TaninAuto

We are located just outside of Milwaukee, WI . Our address is:
Tanin Auto
7012 HWY 31, STE 100
Racine, WI 53402

mrblister

If I were to pull my gauge cluster is the car still drivable with it out ? Are there any risks of getting error codes or any other problems