Yes, I am attempting to have it brighter as mine is also dim at night. Too dim.. Hell my new mod lighting on the radio is brighter. So am hopining to have brighter. Especially since I am working on a new diferent mod for the radio and ac controls. I amworking on a bright bright white blue, purple I don;t know what you call it, maybe HID type look for the two pieces. An no we don't drive the same cars. Some especially the older 98's have diferent brightnesses..... From what I am told.

Rock

 

thats what exactly happened to me now...
the middle one seems like screwed up! it makes me kinda careless about the speed now

 

I have the exact same problem as you Dave - my center gauge (the speedometer) is way dimmer than the other two flanking gauges. I would like to increase the light intensity in that gauge to match the others.

 

What about replacing the bulbs with newer, brighter ones, like we do with the rest of them?

Taking the cluster out is somewhat easy if I remember reading that here.

Ahh shoot. Another mod item to add to the list.

 

Dex, I just did a search and cannot find anything on this - DIY on changing the bulbs. If you find the thread, please let me know.

 

Well, right, no write-ups on changing those bulbs, but there has been discussion before about removing the instrument cluster, for the purposes of switching it out for the newer MY2K cluster (black with chrome trimmed rings).

I think the cluster simply pulls straight out, maybe a clip or two, and an elctrical connection as a simple plug.

 

Thanks! I will do a search on that instead.

 

Hey I got some information from Lexus about the dash lights. From 98-00 the dash lights weren't really controlled by the light sensor on the dash, but for the 01-03 models that little black sensor in front of the steering wheel controls: dash lights (speedometer, and other 2 next to it), automatic headlights on/off, and navigation night/day modes. If you mess with the sensor for the dash lights it will screw up other functions. I had the service place replace my sensor, but that didn't help. I had them replace the **** on the left of the steering wheel that controls the dash lights, but that didn't help. Oh and most importantly, They told me that this function could NOT be controlled or fixed with C-Best computer manipulation. I might try some home-made mods of my own. If anyone has any ideas lemme know!

 

As far as the cluster goes, yes it is a simple snap out. I replaced mine with a 01 and it looks sharp... You will have to buy the new harness fpor the turn signals as they are not interchangeable with the 98-00.

Rock

 

GSalmente,
I do not think your info on 98-00 GS is correct. I have 99GS300 and two black censors located on the left and right sides of the dashboard control my dash lights. These censors control the brightness. In the daytime my dash is the brightest and in the night time it's getting dimmer.

 

What's the difference between the two?

 

Mainly chrome rings around the gauges.

 

Something else I noticed. When going under a bridge or tunnel, if the day light is overcast enough my dash lights dim and brighten separately from the day/night mode on my nav screen. The timings are different, so I would assume they run off of different sensors. Or maybe it's the same sensor, just different preset delays??? I don't know. My whole point is that I'm convinced that there are 3 yes "THREE" modes of brightness. 1) daytime brightness 2)nighttime brightness(slightly dimmer than daytime mode), and 3)dimmer than nighttime and looks such that the speedo is slightly dimmer than the outer gauges, and the outer gauges don't have a even brightness. The upper right of the LEFT gauge is dimmer than the other "quadrants" and vise versa on the right gauge. I've tried taking pics with my digital cam, but it's not the best, and doesn't really show the differences. I'm thinking about trying it again and tweaking the camera settings. The 3rd mode seems like the result of somthing failing whether it's a bulb, a sensor, electronic component, or whatever. It just doesn't seem like it was done by design. Also I don't remember this happening when I first got the car. It seems like it's only been happening within the last 6 months.

If the pics work out I'll post them. I'd be happy if I could just get back to 2 modes and not 3. Sorry for the long respone. I just feel REALLY agrivated by this, and can relate to the others who experience this dilemma.

peace out,
Blanco

BTW, I've got a '98 GS4