Is taking off the entire dash to replace gauge bulbs too hard?
10-15-2004, 10:35 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 153
Is taking off the entire dash to replace gauge bulbs too hard?
I recently replaced the bulb that lights the auto tranny gear marker since it was burned. Couldnt quite figure out how to do it at first, but finally I got it. I have three questions:
The tranny gear indicator thing now lights up at least twice as brighter than the gauges. Is this normal, or should perhaps the gauge light up as bright as the auto stick?
Also, are there simple ways to make the gauge light up more original (such as a different color), while I'm at it? Do they make those bulbs in other colors?
Finally, I know that I have to pull out the entire front dash and I think even the steering wheel to replace those gauge bulbs. Have any of you guys had problems or difficulties doing that?
10-15-2004, 10:43 AM
#2
Originally Posted by Thorby
Finally, I know that I have to pull out the entire front dash and I think even the steering wheel to replace those gauge bulbs. Have any of you guys had problems or difficulties doing that?[/FONT]
There is a dimmer control to the right of the ignition that controls the brightness of the interior lights - play with that to control how bright the dash lights are (it will also affect other cabin lights).
10-15-2004, 11:03 AM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 153
Geez, I'm not dumb....
Some people just don't know what they're saying. 
Yes, I have the interior light intensity dial all the way up. That has nothing to do with the tranny shift light being brighter than the gauge lights.
Yes, I have the interior light intensity dial all the way up. That has nothing to do with the tranny shift light being brighter than the gauge lights.
10-15-2004, 11:08 AM
#4
Originally Posted by Thorby
Finally, I know that I have to pull out the entire front dash and I think even the steering wheel to replace those gauge bulbs. Have any of you guys had problems or difficulties doing that?
Btw, I didn't assume you were dumb. Sometimes the easiest things are overlooked (e.g. the dimmer control)... good luck.
10-15-2004, 11:29 AM
#5
See post #6 in this thread for everything you ever wanted to know about the gauge cluster lighting and how to change it:
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=254238
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=254238
10-15-2004, 11:32 AM
#6
wow, you people are friggin idiots. HIS PROBLEM ISN'T THE DIMMER.
bro, your bulb just doesn't match the original ones. you either need to keep playin with them until you find one that matches, or just replace all of them at once with the same style/brand.
also - removing the cluster is very easy. look under the steering column. there's a metal plate - remove it. that gives you access to each side of the column, where you will find one nut on each side that holds the whole column up. once you remove that, the whole thing will drop down and out of your way. then, it's as simple as removing the phillips head screws visible in the cluster trim, removing the next few visible screws and pulling out the cluster.
hopefully that helps...i used the writeup on www.maximadriver.com back when it used to be up, now i can do it with no instructions so i hope my steps work for you - if not, look in haynes manual or similar.
bro, your bulb just doesn't match the original ones. you either need to keep playin with them until you find one that matches, or just replace all of them at once with the same style/brand.
also - removing the cluster is very easy. look under the steering column. there's a metal plate - remove it. that gives you access to each side of the column, where you will find one nut on each side that holds the whole column up. once you remove that, the whole thing will drop down and out of your way. then, it's as simple as removing the phillips head screws visible in the cluster trim, removing the next few visible screws and pulling out the cluster.
hopefully that helps...i used the writeup on www.maximadriver.com back when it used to be up, now i can do it with no instructions so i hope my steps work for you - if not, look in haynes manual or similar.
10-15-2004, 11:51 AM
#7
Ya man I replaced my gauge bulbs with blue 194 bulbs. It is easy to take out. I would suggest led bulbs for the gauge because they are the brightest. Good luck with it. I have a pic of my gauges on my website check it out. Page #3 on my site..
10-20-2004, 06:37 PM
#13
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 813
it should take you no more then 20 min to do everything and close her up. The only problem is not to bed the plastic too much or it will break (happened to me). It doesnt take long at all. just having to do it sucks.
10-20-2004, 07:05 PM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 153
Originally Posted by Tyrexx
do the inverted LEDs have hotspots??
Good question. Any fire hazards here?
Do I need to solder to install those LEDS? I'm going to start looking for plug-n-play LEDS just in case... How much do THOSE cost?
10-20-2004, 07:11 PM
#18
no fire hazards...plug and play...194 Leds are cheap @ www.autolumination.com
10-21-2004, 12:20 AM
#22
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 813
Yea but everyone at some point has asked a question that didnt get answered just bashed on. It may seem stupid to most people because you know the answer is an easy one, but not to someone who doesnt know much at this point.
Anyone who says that they never asked a question that seemed dumb to others is a liar. Everyone was new at some point.
...But yes, a lot of information can be found in the stickys.
Oh yea, here is a good link.
Anyone who says that they never asked a question that seemed dumb to others is a liar. Everyone was new at some point.
...But yes, a lot of information can be found in the stickys.
Oh yea, here is a good link.
10-21-2004, 12:58 PM
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 153
mentalic Chalencht? Me? I didnt take note of the addy but it is within here. I think in some sticky or something.
Also, I think I have seen other threads where guys comment about those leds getting hot.
I'm gonna see if I can find some place in this city that sells them.... either that or just put some nice new white bulbs in.
10-21-2004, 01:10 PM
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 153
Whoever is pissed at the topic of this thread.....well...
Don't OPEN IT, SHMUCKS!!!
Why the heck open a thread, read it, then be a smart-aleck claiming it is pointless? You still have read it.
Anyhow, even if it is an old topic... there will still be some interesting comments and suggestions that will not be found in stickies.
By the way... my friends has a 95 Stratus and hates his dash. Those guys don't even have an option to change the color without seriously changing their dash.
Don't OPEN IT, SHMUCKS!!!
Why the heck open a thread, read it, then be a smart-aleck claiming it is pointless? You still have read it.
Anyhow, even if it is an old topic... there will still be some interesting comments and suggestions that will not be found in stickies.
By the way... my friends has a 95 Stratus and hates his dash. Those guys don't even have an option to change the color without seriously changing their dash.
10-21-2004, 01:44 PM
#27
ok this thread confused me, so ill answer some of the stiff i understood.
My buddy just used the inverted 194 LEDs and he has no hot spots.
to get to the gauges, remove the bottom plastic panel (2 screws), remove metal plate (2 10mm bolts) remove steering columb trim (6 screws) remove gauge trim (2 screws) then remove gauges (3 screws)
the problem for the original guy is that the new bulb is bighter cuz it is new, the old bulbs are just dim from age. they will look burnt inside, so replace them.
GXE/GLE gauges with LEDs will look fine too.
BTW if you put blue bulbs in gages with SE orange/red needles, the needles will not show up.
oh and I HATE wprking with the gauges.............
My buddy just used the inverted 194 LEDs and he has no hot spots.
to get to the gauges, remove the bottom plastic panel (2 screws), remove metal plate (2 10mm bolts) remove steering columb trim (6 screws) remove gauge trim (2 screws) then remove gauges (3 screws)
the problem for the original guy is that the new bulb is bighter cuz it is new, the old bulbs are just dim from age. they will look burnt inside, so replace them.
GXE/GLE gauges with LEDs will look fine too.
BTW if you put blue bulbs in gages with SE orange/red needles, the needles will not show up.
oh and I HATE wprking with the gauges.............
10-21-2004, 03:15 PM
#29
95-96 use 194 bulbs so you can get plug and play LED's, actually LED's run cooler than regular bulbs, you do get bright spots which drives Dave crazy almost as much as repeat posts, but he's forgotten what it's like to be a noobie. Only from experince I'd recommed using 4 LED per bulb rather than 1 LED per bulb, I got mine (as well as a few other org'rs) from http://www.superbrightleds.com/
here's my pics of the single LED per bulb versus 4 Led's per bulb.
Oh also you DO NOT need to drop the steering column, I've done this at least 5 or 6 times in about 10 mins tops!
here's my pics of the single LED per bulb versus 4 Led's per bulb.
Oh also you DO NOT need to drop the steering column, I've done this at least 5 or 6 times in about 10 mins tops!
10-21-2004, 03:51 PM
#30
that has major hotspots, when you say the 1 led do you mean these?
because this is an inverted LED that shines out the side, it should have less hotspots then the 4 LED bulbs that shire straight forward.
because this is an inverted LED that shines out the side, it should have less hotspots then the 4 LED bulbs that shire straight forward.
10-21-2004, 04:08 PM
#32
Originally Posted by MAXRB8
95-96 use 194 bulbs so you can get plug and play LED's, actually LED's run cooler than regular bulbs, you do get bright spots which drives Dave crazy almost as much as repeat posts, but he's forgotten what it's like to be a noobie. Only from experince I'd recommed using 4 LED per bulb rather than 1 LED per bulb, I got mine (as well as a few other org'rs) from http://www.superbrightleds.com/
10-21-2004, 04:19 PM
#34
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: RI
Posts: 319
Originally Posted by Tyrexx
that has major hotspots, when you say the 1 led do you mean these?
because this is an inverted LED that shines out the side, it should have less hotspots then the 4 LED bulbs that shire straight forward.
because this is an inverted LED that shines out the side, it should have less hotspots then the 4 LED bulbs that shire straight forward.
10-21-2004, 04:24 PM
#35
Originally Posted by global_threat
what did you do, cut and paste from my reply? thanks for retyping everything i said six days ago there champ 
um no you didnt say anything close to what i said
10-21-2004, 05:04 PM
#36
Originally Posted by JDogg96
I have the inverted blue one from superbrightleds.com and I'm happy with them. The hot spots aren't really noticable.
do you have pics of yours?
F IT I'm just going to try it for myself because there is too many different replies.
10-21-2004, 05:17 PM
#38
Originally Posted by 2 Da Max
whats a hot spot? and i hope its not as hot as me getting flamed for asking this ques
if you see the gauge cluster under your post the hot spots are the real white spots.
10-21-2004, 07:54 PM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 525
thorby, the hot spots your referring to as "fire hazards" is the incorrect definition of the hot spots being discussed. led's run cooler, thus running hot would be impossible. the hot spot is an area in the light coverage where one area is brighter then others rather then being the same brightness throughout. with led's the problem is directly above the led is a notorious hotspot, inverted led's are less notable for hot spots. and if you read the stickies your thread would have never been bashed.