Replacing Instrument Cluster Light with LED

[CINNALOCKS]

I know at some point I read that someone here had done this but I am having difficulty finding any info. Now that I have upgraded the stereo and the blue lighting I would like to match the whole interior with blue lighting....but begin with the cluster.

I have an extra cluster, but have had no luck find matches for the eom lights that are Toshiba. As I understand it Toshiba is out of the bulb business.

Does any one have any info on where to purchase the LED replacements? I would love to do the whole compartment if I can find the correct LEDs.

[Q451990]

Check these out... should be some direct replacement stuff that will fit.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm

Please keep us updated on how it goes! If I ever have a chance to do anything besides worry about injectors, this is something I might like to play with.

Heath

[96Qowner]

Ozzie!'s thread probably has the most info on LEDs:

zerothread?id=235041

[Warspite]

I too, have a few panel lights out (cluster, and console window switches) on my '94, and was looking for direct replacements for the Toshiba V-2 based bulbs. Superbright's LEDs look like they'll need modification (OK, jury-rigging) to get the LED into the original V-2 base(s).

Even though the Superbright LED web site seeems up to date as far as inventory goes, is there another vendor that has a raw LED with voltage dropping resistor, that could easily fit into the Toshiba bases? And since stripping down the dash to remove the cluster is SUCH A JOY, I'd rather do it once with an upgrade.

The panel in last year's thread looked GREAT!

[Warspite]

Upon further review.... There are 3 panel lights in the cluster that are somewhat "standard," which could use Superbrightled's "WLED-x5" wedge base bulbs. These light from the sides as well as a single LED going to the end. Looking at the clear plastic that backlights the gauges, these LEDs should foot the bill. To add to the confusion, EVERY base is marked "Toshiba V-2" on the instrument cluster, but the ones that are "plug and play" are the 3 ORANGE ones that handle the gauges, and appear to be standard, with no mods needed. These 3 look like what is also used in Fords, etc. It is the smaller ones, especially the 2 that backlight the indicator (error code, odometer, etc) that I haven't found a direct LED replacement for.

I'm going to place my order, but it'll take a week or so to show up, so this is yet another weekend project to tear down the dash...

If anyone has performed these mods, with off-the-shelf LEDs let us know!

Best Regards!

[CINNALOCKS]

Actually I believe there are five different types of bulbs in the cluster. The orange ones that you made note of, the brown ones{ ignition, height, security, check engine}, the white ones for the mileage appear the same size as the brown ones the grey ones {seat belts, hicas, oil abs} then there are two large brown ones located behind the circuit board

I would agree that the orange one do appear to be the WLED X5 Wedge base bulb. I have bought a few of what I thought may fit the smaller ones from autolumination....

http://autolumination.com/74.htm

I ordered type A B and C of the Neo - Wedge LED but none of them fit. Close but no cigar.

[DrewQ45]

I changed out to red lighting, mostly LEDs a about a year ago. There are 3 main bulbs in the cluster but I didn't use LEDS. Just buy the colored bulb covers at the autoparts store. Much cheaper and looks better with regards to light dispersion. Everything else I have is LED, dash..window switches etc.

Search under my id...plenty of pics
Modified by DrewQ45 at 12:56 PM 6/2/2008

[CINNALOCKS]

Drew after reading all there is and knowing my limited mechanical abilities, the bulb covers seem to be the best way for me to go. I am not really looking to do more than make it all uniform. The led project seems a bit much for me.

[CINNALOCKS]

Has anyone here had any experiences using the WHITE FACE GLOW GAUGES KIT 334. It is listed on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...10806

[sijoko]

Has anyone here had any experiences using the WHITE FACE GLOW GAUGES KIT 334. It is listed on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...10806

I installed them a while back but I couldn't stand the colors. It was hurting my eyes to look at them at night. Finally, pulled them out and went back to stock gauges.

[maxnix]

So there was no way to modulate the light output level

[sijoko]

So there was no way to modulate the light output level

It's not the light intensity, it's the color of the EL panel that hurts the eyes. It comes with 2 colors: green and blue.

The green is not bad on your eyes but it looks so cheap. The blue looks more fancy but it hurts. You can only stare at so long before you start getting a headache. Maybe, others won't have the same problem so give it a shot and report back.

[CINNALOCKS]

So what did you do with yours after you pulled them out?

I mean do you still have them?

[Q45man1]

Those rubber boots (phosphorized filters) are specially designed to have proper mixture of RGB to match the color of the old lamps. Nichia of Japan is the premiere source for these boots.

Stanley Electric, Toshiba and Miyakawa are the lamp sources for most of the Japanese cars.

[dan4010]

I actually took on the same project that you speak of with my 1995 Q45 about a year and a half ago. I wanted the more "modern" look on the dash. It is true. There are three main bulbs that light up the main instrument cluster. I used Superbrightled.com's "WLED-x5" wedge base bulbs and they look great. I purchased the cool-white option for color. My intentions were a bit more ambitious. I didn't stop there. I also installed white LED's for the gold clock as well as the climate control panel. I even attempted to change out the bulbs in the stock stereo head unit. I opened that up and it was a nightmare. Those little halogen bulbs are actually embedded in the circuit board. So I destroyed it trying to change them out and had to buy a used factory stereo online. My advice is to leave the climate control and stereo alone but most definitely change out the instrument panel and clock. The new clock lighting is simply amazing. It lights up the front seats like a beacon at night, mainly because my windows are tinted very dark. If you want pics of some of the mods let me know. Good luck.

[danieltate]

What bulbs did you use to replace clock bulb?Did you change bulbs for error code,odometor, etc. If so, what did you replace them with ?Thanks

Modified by danieltate at 3:03 PM 2/10/2010
Modified by danieltate at 3:05 PM 2/10/2010

[xKnownShadowX]

The clock should be T5 bulbs.