I just called a Lexus dealer and asked for a quote for a new gas gauge needle, and it came out to be $198 for the needle and 240 for labor. is that a good price?
the problem with my gauge is the needle is lighting great for the first minute, and then....half of it goes out. whats up with that? i've searched on the internet about this stuff, and it seems to happen to alot. anyone else got that problem?
since it lights up fully for a while, is there still hope for me to open up the cluster and try to fix it?
anyone in the same situation and fixed it?

Late!

 

unfortunately has been a problem that has plagued the es300 from 92-96. I had the same problem and the way I cured it was replacing the whole cluster which comes as 1 piece. If you want to save the other needles from burning out , try dimming the lights a bit . I have done this and it is holding up. I personally have done the repair my self and it is really simple for a veteran of mechanics and just as easy for a novice. 240 is really steep for something that took a half hour of work. Currently there is no fix for this problem. Lexus knows of the problem at my local dealership , but they tell me that they arent going to do anything for it. hope I have helped.

 

so do you think that quote for the needle is really for the whole cluster? if it's for the whole cluster, then i think i can do it myself. i know there is that whole thing with programming the odometer...how did you go along with that?

 

i keep my dash lights real DIM.. it prolongs the life of them....

i only turn them up a bit when it is really sunny and i cannot see the needles.

 

no the cluster is way more expensive then that. If memory serves me right the gas and the temp gauges were about 200 a piece and then you have the odometer and speedometer when come as one was like 300-400. I got my new cluster from a junkyard and it was from a running car. The only downside for some people is that the mileage also changes to whatever car you took the cluster from. A few other things I should mention is that I got the cluster for 150 at the junkyard. Also do not attempt to replace just the needles. And I mean not the individual gauge , but the needle it self. I had problems with that so did some other CL members . Check prior post for their horror stories also.