Center Instrument Cluster Lights burned out (Y34)

Forum for Infiniti M35 and M45, and Nissan Fuga owners.
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MaxBolus
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Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 3:26 am
Car: 2004 M45

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Was having trouble finding my rear defogger button last night, it took a bit before I realized some of my lights were out in the center instrument panel.

Has anybody had to replace these yet? How much effort is it? (Or is it even possible without buying some major component?)

I did see some mentions of ppl doing LED changeouts, but did not find anything discussing this particular console.

The worst is not being able to see my PTY/CAT button as I use that ALL THE TIME. :gapteeth:


digimurda
Posts: 72
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2011 6:36 am
Car: 2006 INFINITI M35X
Location: RHODE ISLAND

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MaxBolus wrote:Was having trouble finding my rear defogger button last night, it took a bit before I realized some of my lights were out in the center instrument panel.

Has anybody had to replace these yet? How much effort is it? (Or is it even possible without buying some major component?)

I did see some mentions of ppl doing LED changeouts, but did not find anything discussing this particular console.

The worst is not being able to see my PTY/CAT button as I use that ALL THE TIME. :gapteeth:
Hi, I changed all of them including the ones on the clock with led's from superbrightleds.com
Was very easy, and looks great.

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Twizz
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Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2011 9:18 pm
Car: 2007 M35X - Stillen exhaust, Injen CAI, dropped on Espelir springs, Morimoto 3K Hid Fogs, Morimoto 6K low beams, Full interior and exterior LEDs, air horn, 35% tint all around(45% on the windshield)

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digimurda wrote:
MaxBolus wrote:Was having trouble finding my rear defogger button last night, it took a bit before I realized some of my lights were out in the center instrument panel.

Has anybody had to replace these yet? How much effort is it? (Or is it even possible without buying some major component?)

I did see some mentions of ppl doing LED changeouts, but did not find anything discussing this particular console.

The worst is not being able to see my PTY/CAT button as I use that ALL THE TIME. :gapteeth:
Hi, I changed all of them including the ones on the clock with led's from superbrightleds.com
Was very easy, and looks great.
Now this is what I'm talking about. Would you please be so kind as to give instructions or just even give the bulb numbers ?

digimurda
Posts: 72
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2011 6:36 am
Car: 2006 INFINITI M35X
Location: RHODE ISLAND

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Has anybody had to replace these yet? How much effort is it? (Or is it even possible without buying some major component?)

I did see some mentions of ppl doing LED changeouts, but did not find anything discussing this particular console.

The worst is not being able to see my PTY/CAT button as I use that ALL THE TIME. :gapteeth:[/quote]


Hi, I changed all of them including the ones on the clock with led's from superbrightleds.com
Was very easy, and looks great.[/quote]

Now this is what I'm talking about. Would you please be so kind as to give instructions or just even give the bulb numbers ?[/quote]

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/ ... ument.html

The bulbs are neo wedge, 3mm (t1) in amber color, u can use the regular top one's or the High power led ones (all more expensive)
You will need to buy 8 of these,
After just get a flat head and wedge it on one of the edges of center instrument cluster and slowly start to pop it out, you will see the back of each lil bulb, turn each to your left and pop them out.

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Twizz
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Car: 2007 M35X - Stillen exhaust, Injen CAI, dropped on Espelir springs, Morimoto 3K Hid Fogs, Morimoto 6K low beams, Full interior and exterior LEDs, air horn, 35% tint all around(45% on the windshield)

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Would you be so kind as to post pics of what yours looks like with the new bulbs in there ?

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MaxBolus
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Car: 2004 M45

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Cool- thanks for the info. Just ordered the LEDs and will post back after installation.

digimurda
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Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2011 6:36 am
Car: 2006 INFINITI M35X
Location: RHODE ISLAND

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Twizz wrote:Would you be so kind as to post pics of what yours looks like with the new bulbs in there ?
looks the same just a bit brighter...

digimurda
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Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2011 6:36 am
Car: 2006 INFINITI M35X
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MaxBolus wrote:Cool- thanks for the info. Just ordered the LEDs and will post back after installation.
did u get them in amber? and which ones, high power?
also when installing some might not turn on. what u do is take them out a bit and give them a turn, something about the contact points +&-

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MaxBolus
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Car: 2004 M45

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MaxBolus wrote:Cool- thanks for the info. Just ordered the LEDs and will post back after installation.
Well, sorry for the loooong delay, but here's a followup (a year late).

I had ordered the T-1 standard LEDs from superbrightleds and did nothing with them for almost a year. Finally my clock bulbs went as well, and I realized how much I use that clock, so decided it was time to replace the bulbs.

(The clock takes larger bulbs, which I eventually ordered from the dealer- about 11 bucks per bulb, 2 needed.)
I also installed the LEDs I had bought, but was disappointed that they were much dimmer, with uneven lighting on the center console.

So I figured no biggie, since all 8 LEDs only cost about $13. I went back and ordered the high-output LEDs to give them a try.

The result was about the same- relatively dim and uneven :frown:

I think the problem is that the LEDs do not radiate enough light from the sides- the original bulbs appear to be incandescents with an amber filter, which would have a wider angle. The high output LEDs are listed as having a 120-degree angle, but I think they are also longer than the original bulbs, which seems to limit the range of the light being thrown to the sides since they penetrate further into the console.

The gentleman at Airport Infiniti Parts has been very helpful, but so far has not been able to find original console bulbs. The clock looks great, though.

So, if I find anything better, will post back. In a year or less. :chuckle:

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paranoidjack
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Car: 2012 Infiniti M56 S
2003 Infiniti M45
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1996 Infiniti J30

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That's too bad. I have some bulbs out as well. I'm sure we can match them from somewhere. I will pull one out and see what I can find.

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MaxBolus
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Car: 2004 M45

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I think the console bulbs can be disassembled by straightening the wires and pulling the bulbs from the bases (and removing the amber filter) , kind of like Christmas tree lights. But I tossed my old ones, so not sure. Also not sure how you would spec/buy replacements, but have seen bare incandescents for sale on some of the sites.

And Infiniti never was able to find anything.


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