Gauge Cluster Bulbs Not 194
08-12-2002, 03:24 PM
#1
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Gauge Cluster Bulbs Not 194
I received my chrome gauge rings today in the mail. Thanks for the selling them Frank Wu, a.k.a. MAX99ES. I love 'em!
Since I was taking the gauge cluster out to put in the rings, and trying to solve a gauge cluster clunking on bumps, which I found to be the result of a missing screw (specifically the top centre one), I decided I would put in blue bulbs as well.
So I searced the org for the proper bulb, which was supposed to be 194's. So I drove to Can Tire, bought 3 pairs of 194 bulbs (we need 5), and got working. I took everything a part, and brought the gauge cluster inside (air conditioning! it's pretty hot outside in Toronto the last couple weeks). Well, after getting everything a part, I realized there was no way in hell the 194 bulbs would fit in the plastic socket thingies in the gauge cluster. So I ended up having to drive back to Can Tire, return the bulbs, and brought along one of the old ones to insure I got the right one this time. It ended up being a 74 bulb. The 74 bulb is identical to the stock one, except the bulbous part is just ever so slightly smaller than the stock. Maybe the US and Canadian models differ, or the US and Canadian nomenclature for bulbs differ, but for my gauge cluster, I needed 74 bulbs and not 194. Just a warning to my fellow org members.
To get the bulbs to emit blue light, I thought about using blue paint and misting the bulb, but then I thought, that would probably make the bulbs too dim. So I thought about it some more, and thought about using a blue permanent marker on the glass. I just so happened to have Sharpie brand permanent markers in my house. So I used the marker to colour each of the new bulbs.
I put everything back together, sans the clear plastic cover. With the cover and the chrome gauge rings, it just looked weird. With the chrome gauge rings, it just looks so much better to not have that clear plastic cover.
All I can say is WOW!!! The gauge cluster looks very 8itchin'. I can't wait for my first night time drive.
Since I was taking the gauge cluster out to put in the rings, and trying to solve a gauge cluster clunking on bumps, which I found to be the result of a missing screw (specifically the top centre one), I decided I would put in blue bulbs as well.
So I searced the org for the proper bulb, which was supposed to be 194's. So I drove to Can Tire, bought 3 pairs of 194 bulbs (we need 5), and got working. I took everything a part, and brought the gauge cluster inside (air conditioning! it's pretty hot outside in Toronto the last couple weeks). Well, after getting everything a part, I realized there was no way in hell the 194 bulbs would fit in the plastic socket thingies in the gauge cluster. So I ended up having to drive back to Can Tire, return the bulbs, and brought along one of the old ones to insure I got the right one this time. It ended up being a 74 bulb. The 74 bulb is identical to the stock one, except the bulbous part is just ever so slightly smaller than the stock. Maybe the US and Canadian models differ, or the US and Canadian nomenclature for bulbs differ, but for my gauge cluster, I needed 74 bulbs and not 194. Just a warning to my fellow org members.
To get the bulbs to emit blue light, I thought about using blue paint and misting the bulb, but then I thought, that would probably make the bulbs too dim. So I thought about it some more, and thought about using a blue permanent marker on the glass. I just so happened to have Sharpie brand permanent markers in my house. So I used the marker to colour each of the new bulbs.
I put everything back together, sans the clear plastic cover. With the cover and the chrome gauge rings, it just looked weird. With the chrome gauge rings, it just looks so much better to not have that clear plastic cover.
All I can say is WOW!!! The gauge cluster looks very 8itchin'. I can't wait for my first night time drive.
08-12-2002, 04:09 PM
#3
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Originally posted by s2cmpugh
i can tell you taht the 98-99 maxima does NOT take 194 bulbs, it takes some kind of smaller bulb that only nissan sells.
i can tell you taht the 98-99 maxima does NOT take 194 bulbs, it takes some kind of smaller bulb that only nissan sells.
08-12-2002, 05:16 PM
#4
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 51
Originally posted by Sin
Well, like I said, I found a bulb that works just fine, and it is called a 74 bulb by Canadian Tire. A pair goes for about $3.
Well, like I said, I found a bulb that works just fine, and it is called a 74 bulb by Canadian Tire. A pair goes for about $3.
08-12-2002, 05:19 PM
#5
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Originally posted by donut
Is your car a 98-99? If so, maybe it's not a Canadian/American model difference, but someone finally found the correct replacement bulb.
Is your car a 98-99? If so, maybe it's not a Canadian/American model difference, but someone finally found the correct replacement bulb.
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