Instrument cluster back lighting?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 117
From: Colorado
Instrument cluster back lighting?
Hello everyone.
On the lower left side of my speedometer, there's a spot that looks just a hair darker than the rest of the gauge cluster. I can't really tell if this is just how it is, or if its something that's gone out, but i'de like to take a closer look at it. The needles are all still 100% though, which is good.
Now can anyone tell me, are the back lights in the gauge clusters on these just standard replaceable bulbs, or are they made of those cathode tube/electroluminescent parts like the older LS400 gauges are? I haven't ordered my Factory Service manuals yet, so i'm still totally in the dark on the..."schematics" of this truck.
Thanks in advance!
On the lower left side of my speedometer, there's a spot that looks just a hair darker than the rest of the gauge cluster. I can't really tell if this is just how it is, or if its something that's gone out, but i'de like to take a closer look at it. The needles are all still 100% though, which is good.
Now can anyone tell me, are the back lights in the gauge clusters on these just standard replaceable bulbs, or are they made of those cathode tube/electroluminescent parts like the older LS400 gauges are? I haven't ordered my Factory Service manuals yet, so i'm still totally in the dark on the..."schematics" of this truck.
Thanks in advance!
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 14
From: ★ᚱᚱ²²★
They're LEDs. You'll have to open the cluster and solder a new LED back onto the board.
Do a search on here. I don't know the post off hand but several people have complained it looks darker around the 10mph spot.
Do a search on here. I don't know the post off hand but several people have complained it looks darker around the 10mph spot.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 14
From: ★ᚱᚱ²²★
That's not how it's suppose to be. You have a burnt out LED. I wouldn't worry about it but if it bugs you and if you're handy with a soldering iron it wouldn't be hard at all to fix. You just need to find out what type of LED it takes.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: NB
Driver
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: NB
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 117
From: Colorado
Groovy. I have many a times resoldered new bulbs into circuit boards. When you own an escalade for a year, you get VERY good at it! Ill have to look up and see where to source dimmable LEDs
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 14
From: ★ᚱᚱ²²★
I use to get a lot of parts from Mouser. Once you find exactly what size / type LED(s) you need check them out. I'm pretty sure you'll need a SMD. If so take your time since they're really really tiny! Mouser sells name brand LED's so you don't have to worry about them frying out months down the road like some of the cheap China LEDs do.
Good luck!
LEDs
http://www.mouser.com/Optoelectronic...ers/_/N-8usfd/
SMD LEDs
http://www.mouser.com/Optoelectronic...-SMD/_/N-b1bb1
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 66
From: Pa
Mine is also a bit darker in the 10 MPH area then the rest.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 14
From: ★ᚱᚱ²²★
EDIT:
Yep there are.
Last edited by RCsGX; Sep 12, 2013 at 06:04 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 66
From: Pa
I haven't looked but if it's anything like my old Tundra DC there should be 2 phillips head screws up top of the cluster. You remove those and pull the cluster out and unplug the harnesses in back to remove it. Once you do that there should be white pressure clips all around the back of the cluster cluster and clear pressure clips around the front plastic. Once you get those apart it should open right up.
EDIT:
Yep there are.
EDIT:
Yep there are.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 14
From: ★ᚱᚱ²²★
LEDs
http://www.mouser.com/Optoelectronic...ers/_/N-8usfd/
SMD LEDs
http://www.mouser.com/Optoelectronic...-SMD/_/N-b1bb1
Probably 2 or 3. They're just large plugs like the back of the radio. Nothing major.
EDIT:
Here's some SMDs from an '07 Camry gauge cluster to give you an idea on how small the LEDs are.
Last edited by RCsGX; Sep 12, 2013 at 06:25 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 66
From: Pa
led
Thanks I may pull the cluster and see which led is out. Is it possible to pull cluster out a bit and leave it connected to the harness to see if I can find the burned out led. I guess I just carefully unsolder with a suction bulb and then make sure i get the polairty right when going back in. If I cant gain access with the harness attached could i apply a 12 volts test battery to the errant led while its soldered in place to prove its out or are the led reduced to 5 volt on the boards
You need to open it up and look at what type of LEDs are being used, then go to mouser and compare. More than likely they're going to be tiny SMD LEDs. They're not hard to replace just a pain since they're so small to work with.
LEDs
http://www.mouser.com/Optoelectronic...ers/_/N-8usfd/
SMD LEDs
http://www.mouser.com/Optoelectronic...-SMD/_/N-b1bb1
Probably 2 or 3. They're just large plugs like the back of the radio. Nothing major.
EDIT:
Here's some SMDs from an '07 Camry gauge cluster to give you an idea on how small the LEDs are.
LEDs
http://www.mouser.com/Optoelectronic...ers/_/N-8usfd/
SMD LEDs
http://www.mouser.com/Optoelectronic...-SMD/_/N-b1bb1
Probably 2 or 3. They're just large plugs like the back of the radio. Nothing major.
EDIT:
Here's some SMDs from an '07 Camry gauge cluster to give you an idea on how small the LEDs are.