rxfan5

Many thanks xtwister16 for the very helpful instructions with great pictures. I just replaced my dead D light with the green LED you recommend (bought online). Two comments - the LED is a diode and, unlike a filament bulb, will only light up if the current is going through it in the right direction. After you install it in the PC board check its operation before you reassemble the whole dash. If it does not light when it should just remove it and reinstall it rotated 180 degrees. You have only a 50/50 chance of getting it right the first time!

The second comment - I found the LED to be brighter than I liked, especially at night, so I sanded the top end of the LED and put a blob of paint on it. Not too bright now!

When I was researching the project I found a YouTube video of the whole job, completed in 15 minutes! Only catch, the audio sounded like Russian! Can't find it now, maybe taken down?

salimshah

My original bulb lasted about 5yrs, but the replacement from Lexus parts had no issues. It seems Lexus improved upon the part.

Salim

Oleksii

Here is this russian video.

HobieMarty

Exactly the instructions I was looking for. Thanks, going to change my D light now.

JohnNW

Perhaps a bit late, but please allow me to say: ... What a FINE JOB you have done !!!
As an Engineer & Strategy Consultant, I can truly internalize and appreciate the value you offer and the research you have done.
PLUS ... the quality and detail of your post is a work of art ... Many Thanks !! From me and my
I have a near-pristine RX300 with less than 114K on the clock. Bought it a few years ago and just did the 120K servicel.
Wonderful car, wonderful hobby. In the past I owned many cars, but never worked on them myself.
From a new Lincoln (Hangar Queen) to some new GM units to a new VW when in Germany and and then a new Volvo.
Even a couple of Caravans for my wife ... then got the "Toyota" bug.
With my RX (highlander with a fancier body) I became a "DIY Guy" who hangs out at "Youtube University";
I have done much in the way of preventive maintenance.
Just now found your post after searching for info on the RX300 Instrument Cluster.
Hope all is well with you, yours and your own Lexus.
Warm Regards,
John in the NW
johncschuler@frontier.com

JohnNW

Just posted a note to you ... 5 years late?
Best,
JohnNW

maxSteel

Lots of great info on this site, John. One of the best forums I've seen.
It's a great help to keep these old cars running at minimal expense.

dakrause

Probably too late for the requester, but useful for future reference (from the manual):

Australian

I have some new blue dials and a whole bunch of leds as well as well as cellophane to change some of the look of the gauges and park brake etc.

dakrause

Also note:

bandpmoore

Note that on almost all the early to mid-2000s Toyotas/Lexi that I work on, the D drive indicator bulb is burned out. That's because it's the light bulb that is illuminated the most ..... Toyota didn't engineer that bulb to run extra-long. SOLUTION: next time you're at Pick 'N Pull or similar auto dismantler, "practice" your Lexus/Toyota speedometer cluster removal skills on a willing doner...... You'll find lots of good bulbs in the other (i.e. not DRIVE) positions available from the back of the cluster. The RX300 is especially easy to remove the cluster.... it takes about 5 minutes.

I read about this in a book somewhere

salimshah

Somewhere the part was superseded by another part number and that was pretty robust.

Salim

HobieMarty

Exactly!!! My Dad gave me the RX300 that I have and included was an extra instrument cluster. He said it was cheaper to just get a used cluster with all the bulbs than to get one bulb. I still have lots of bulbs left in case I need to replace any.

jbl-1985

Great write up. Already bought the bulb from the dealer, I should have checked here to see about the LED version that can be had. Next time...