Hello CL I have a 92 ls400 with 238,xxx miles. I woke up and started my car this morning to find the tip of my rpm needle is dimmed out when the headlight are off. When I move the stalk to the drl and on position the same part of the needle is flickering. I read posts on the forum about replacing the whole gauge cluster and circuitry. Is the dimming needle a start to the whole cluster blacking out? When I see it flicker when the headlights I'm thinking its a
Weakening connection? Any thoughts or remedies?
Thanks in advance.

 

Most likely the cluster would need to be replaced to save the hassle of trying to replace the LEDs since it would require the appropriate expertise.

But if you want to save some $, there is another way by having the LED's replaced by a person who is familiar with it. CL member "LED guy" has replaced LEDs on the IS clusters before.

 

Okay thanks for the advice, I might just
Have to
Open it up myself and check the connections at least, could this have to do with he trunk wire at all? Just a guess

 

The conductive paint on the back of the needle that allows it to light up is slowly flaking off. Using defroster repair paint (ie Permatex 15067) to paint the back of the needle and then painting black over it is an easy way to fix the problem. I and many others have done it and there is a thread with pictures and directions.

If you take a flashlight and shine it through the instrument cluster while the car is off, if you look carefully, you'll probably be able to see peeling/flaking paint on that and other needles.

If you are mechanically inclined and very careful, this is a cheap and easy fix (1-2 hours).

Good luck.