Instrument panel

[kennett85]

OK I've had my '99 QX4 for awhile now and the gear select/indicator does not light up and never has worked since I've owned it. What should I check or do to get it working again?

[Towncivilian]

Remove the lower center console trim by removing the ashtray, the single 10mm/Phillips head bolt under it, then raising it up to unsecure its clips. Twist it 90 degrees to clear the instrument cluster and move it out of the way. Replace the shifter indicator bulb with a new 168 bulb.

[kennett85]

I think I already tried that but I'll give it a try. Thanks Towncivilian.

[Towncivilian]

Do you mean the shift indicator lights in the instrument cluster or the ones next to the gear selector itself?

[kennett85]

The ones in the instrument cluster. Sorry about the confusion.

[Towncivilian]

Oh. In that case, see this thread for instructions on accessing the backside of the instrument cluster. If you have small hands, you won't need to disconnect the instrument cluster and will be able to access the bulb twist bases without too much difficulty. Remove the shift indicator twist bases and ensure the bulbs aren't dead. If they are, replace them with 74 bulbs or LED bulbs.

[kennett85]

OK I'll take a look at it. Can you recomend a place for the bulbs? Do you recomend using the normal 74 bulbs or LED ones?

[Towncivilian]

LEDs are beneficial in that they should never die, consume less power, and are generally brighter. Downside is you'll have to wait for shipping, and match the bulb color to the lens color. If you go ahead and replace them with LEDs, I would also replace the instrument cluster illumination at this time as well. This thread has some more information about LED conversions.

[kennett85]

Does anyone know if the '99 QX4 came with a gear identifier in instrument cluster. Because mine doesn't have it. It's just blacked out. And does anyone know where I can get one for the center console next to the shiftier because mine about 2/3 missing due to cracking and my daughter.

[Towncivilian]

Your '99 QX4 does not have shift indicators in the instrument cluster, I just checked in the EL section of the factory service manual.

I believe your only way of replacing the shift indicator next to the gear selector is to find one at a junkyard or buy a new indicator assembly. If you would like to purchase a new assembly, provide your VIN and I can look up the exact part number.

[kennett85]

My VIN is: JNRAR05Y7XW047610 and that sucks that it doesn't have the indicators in the instrument cluster.

[Towncivilian]

Sorry for the late reply. Indeed, it's a bummer, I'd like to have the shift position indicators in my cluster too.

The part you will need is [96940-1W600] INDICATOR.