While returning from my weekend trip, the cluster needle for the Speedometer finally gave up it's life. I now call it the "Ghost Needle". What I was wondering is if I can swap the RPM and Speedometer needles. I can live without the RPM needle at the moment, but driving at night without the Speedometer cable is not going to be tolerated by the fiance.

 

100% yes.

or just send all your needles to lextech and brian will put in an LED. thats what i did.
~R

 

I was figuring on sending the cluster off to get some cool stuff, but with the fuel costs going up daily that's not going to happen soon.

How does one swap them? What is the dash removal procedure?

 

1.) pop the 2 hinged screw covers on the plastic housing

2.)unscrew the 2 screws

3.)adjust your sterring wheel down

4.)pull straight out on the black plastic housing about 4 inches

5.)unplug the 2 plugs(1 for alarm indicator and display brightness, 1 for odometer buttons)

6.)next find the 4 screws that hold the cluster in

7.)there are 3 1" plugs on the back of the cluster. Angle it out so that you can unplug those

8.)remove cluster

 

Is there a way to do this without marking the plastic or breaking the cover clips? I see, what looks like a slott for someting.

 

you use a tiny flathead and it just opens like a little door.
ive never broken any clips or anything like that.

 

If you're really paranoid, use masking tape like I did.

 

Well, I got the cluster out of the dash. The two screw covers are pretty nifty. No need to have worried about marking anything, but I did learn that the tip of the pry tool should go in at least an 1/8-1/4" for best results.

I had a heck of a time getting the wire harness at the bottom right corner to release. My hands were almost too big to get the job done.

Now, how do I release the needles from the cluster?

 

I got the job done!

While i had the cluster out I realized how many bulbs are located on the backside and decided to check for any that had gone bad. I found two of the backlight bulbs need replacement and when I replaced the cluster, it looks like there may be one I missed.

Does anyone know what bulbs are used for the backlighting and where I can get some? Mine have the green plastic condom on them.

 

Green plastic "condom"... hehe I like that

You can find these backlighting bulbs at your Lexus parts dealership, but beware that you will probably be paying a premium for such small sized bulbs. Your other alternative is sending an order for these bulbs to http://lextech.org. They're an aftermarket parts Lexus vendor, and fully supported by ClubLexus, so you know the quality is there

 

$19/$20 per bulb?