I have a 1999 Maxima. I didn't want to get the indiglo guages, i just wanted to replace the bulbs behind the guages. Does anyone know who makes good quality bulbs (or are they LED's?) so my speedometer will light up a nice bright blue color? Also, how can i make my window controls/ignition ring light/and possibly stereo/climate controls blue? Thanks in advance.

 

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Marsbar

 

Ah~ the restless quest for brighter and bluer color for your gauge..
Well, you are not along man.
I¡¯ve tried blue, red, green, Indiglo..you name it and I¡¯ve done it once or twice.
However, IMHO I think 5W Xeon 194 works best for your gauge!
Avoid Blue or Red color bulbs because they¡¯re very dark at night and most them are painted and over the time it will fade away¡¦ avoid them.
I recommend you to search the E-bay for ¡°194 5W Xeon¡± bulbs.
Usually it¡¯s $7~10 a pair.
You¡¯ll need 5 bulbs in total and make sure you use keep the stock ¡°blue¡± condoms on the xeon bulbs.
You will get somewhat Blue+Green color at night and brightness will increase by 50%.
If you got the $$$ then go with indiglo.
Reverse Indiglo looks cool but it¡¯s less brighter than regular indigo.
Good luck!

 

SEARCH!

#194's do not fit into the gauges in a 99

 

I think all 4th gen use 194 or 168 bulbs according to the service manual...but you should take it apart yourself and examine the bulb size.

 

Incorrect. I've taken apart a 1999's gauges. They are not 194s.

 

I just took apart my guages, and clee130 is right. But clee130, do you know how to get replacements for whatever kind of bulb that is?

 

I've tried changing the bulbs in the dash for my '99 SE but no luck. I was thinking of buying color transparent paint and painting them. There was a post several days ago regarding this.

I was not able to change the lights on the rear switches but my driver and passenger side have blue led bulbs. If you find color bulbs for our years gauges let us know.

 

these 194 bulbs are for the 96 97 guages am i correct? are these bulbs the same ones that are in the doors of the max?? please let me know so i can do this it looks cool.

 

Got a 97 GXE , they are 194s. just changed them serveral times last couple weeks.

 

Nope. No one seems to know what kind of bulb they are. They don't seem common enough to be sold anywhere. And if you're unlucky enough to have one blow on you, you have bend over and go to the dealer.

 

whats up with that i have a 97se some people say the bulbs for the gauges are 194 some say it isnt which is it. some please let me know thanks..

 

im using PolarG hyper white 194's, thye look sweet and match my climate controls pefectly. Like SICKMEN said most blue/red bulbs will fade after time, you can try using blue bulb covers but they eventrually turn a green color.
As for my everywhere else; door lights, window switches,ignition ring and shifter light i have blue LED's.

 

ny96maxse,
will PolarG 194 fit I-30's? if so where can i get them and how hard is the installation?
thanks.

 

GJGMGMGMG YEH What r u selling i've never heard of idiglo dash lights if you find some let me.

 

Care to try that again? This time, take it slow so we can understand what the hell you're saying.

 

Do the condom covers serve any other purpose than color, for instance is it safe to put in bulbs without them?

 

With the stock bulb, the color doesn't even show through. And I had bulbs in there without the cover and they were fine. Don't know what those covers are really for.

 

Those blue condoms are meant to soften/whiten the light emitted from the bulbs and removing them will only affect the color and nothing else. In an effort to change the color of the buttons in my A/C and BOSE units I have learned many things: 1> the factory bulbs without their blue condoms burn really yellow. 2> painting the back sides of the buttons blue doesn't emit a blue color - w/ the condoms on the lights they are way to dim - w/o the condoms they look green and match the display of the radio and a/c unit perfectly. NOT WHAT I WANT THEM TO DO!!! I want blue.

 

Toolrocks, 2 questions:

1- Do you have the automatic climate control?
2- What bulb size (or is it a LED) is behind the A/C control and the bose unit? I've been wanting to change my bulbs but not too sure how to do it.Any info would help! Thanks

-MDM

 

Yeah, I want to know the bulb for the A/C too! I got a 97 GXE.

 

my light behind the a/c climate controls is out anyone know the bulb number? or do you have to solder something in?

 

Yes, I have the AUTO temp control unit. They are not leds, they are bulbs. I don't know the part #. I ordered some new ones from Courtesy Nissan. I expect to get them Mon. Oct. 15. I will post the part # then but since you need them just call Courtesy and order them. Tell them your year and whether or not you have the auto temp control. HOpe this helps. BTW Courtesy wanted just under $3 a bulb. There is a total of 4 in the controler. The dealership near me wanted $7 a piece - insane. Good luck. If you need any other help let me know. You will have to remove the entire center section of the dash. It's easy!!! Look in your manual or do a search here and in the electronics forums. Once you have access to the back of the a/c unit you will see 4 little brownish things that screw into the back of the a/c unit. These are the bulbs. Good luck

 

Toolrocks,
YEa, whenever you get the Bulb Part #, just post it! COol.
So are you just planning on swapping the bulb to OEM? You're not going to make them blue? Damn I wanted to change mine to blue, but I guess I'lll wait till someone finds the exact bulb, etc.

 

Yeah, I want to change them to blue. I did some search but no good result.

 

Have you tried the blue LEDs?

 

I have blue leds in my hazard, cc, defroster and dim control switches as well as in my window switches (all 9). I tried to put leds in the A/C controller, but because of the way the light is transmitted through a clear plastic 'channel' it wont work. Leds put light out in a very narrow beam, to work in the A/C controller you need light to radiate from the sides of the bulb. I tried painting the backs of the switches w/ blue glass stain, but the factory bulbs were too dim to shine through to an acceptable level. I am still working on it but not having much luck.
I also made my own 194 type led bulbs for my guage cluster. It looks pretty sweet and is a nice blue. I used 3 Radioshack 276-316 leds at each 194 bulb location. If you want more details let me know.

 

I received my A/C unit bulbs today from Courtesy Nissan they are part # 27545 - 1W600 (and there is a total of 4 in the Auto temp. controller). They were under $2.50 a piece. Hope this helps.

 

Toolrocks,
Thanks for all the info!!
Where do the 4 bulbs go behind in the A/C unit? My off, button, recycle work but my front defogger button and the mode button do not light up. Is there also a light behind the up and down arrows? Please let me know before I buy the bulbs from Courtesy. BTW, you wouldn't happen to have a picture of them by any chance???

 

A few things: I'm glad to help. Secondly, just go ahead and replace all 4 bulbs. YOu don't want to have to take that all apart again. Looking at the unit as it's in your car there are two bulbs on the left side (one is behind the red up arrow and one is behind the blue down arrow) these light up the auto, econ, colored arrows and are near the off and recycle buttons. There is a light almost directly behind the mode button and then one up near the little vent thing at the right of the unit (this bulb lights up the fan speed button). Hope this helps. Definitely do all four bulbs at once. You'll be pleased and wonder how you got along w/o em.
Lastly, sorry I don't have the means to post a pic. IF you still have questions please let me know. I didn't write more cause this is all ready kinda long and I write too much as it is.

 

Thanks for all your help man! I'm going to order four bulbs sometime tomorrow. I just got through installing some new lights bulbs behind the gauge cluster. I bought some Polarg Hyperwhites (#194's) and just slipped on the blue condom from the original bulbs. It definitely gives it a nice blue color! Have you thought about painting the bulbs behind the A/C untit with a blue Stain glass? I may experiment with it when my bulbs come in. I'll keep you updated in case you decide to do this later....

 

I think I answered this question in another thread we're both in??? If not I'll say, I tried painting the bulbs w/ blue but it made a greenish color. Once you remove the blue condom the light is yellowish. I couldn't ever get the blue paint to cover the entire bulb like I needed, also like I just said it was kinda green. Yellow + blue = green. Damn!!! I'm still fooling w/ this. I'll let you know if I have any success. One last thing, if you interested you can open up the a/c unit and see how the light gets channeled around to the buttons - then you'll get a better idea how to try to help me figure out a way to make it light up blue. Remember, I've tried leds, blue glass stain, and a few other things. I think pulling my last few hairs out might help

 

Too bad, they don't make any hyperwhites in that size. Hyperwhites work well with the blue condom. It gives it a nice smooth blue tint.

 

i just took apart my gauges to install my indiglos and i will confirm they're not 194's. honestly, will you really get that big of a difference with just changing bulbs? or did you have the white se gauges?

 

JDM4LIFE,

I have the SE gauges. I think most people either have them or should get them. In my opinion, instead of spending $$$ on indiglo gauges, go to your local junkyard and try to find a wrecked Maxima SE to get it from.

 

I have a 98' SE (Digital Odometer). Can I change my lights or is it the type with the "unknown bulbs?"

Also, if anyone knows where I can buy a digital SE odometer with the mileage known, please PM or email me at RPalka128@aol.com

Thanks

 

I'm pretty sure it's the "unknown bulbs".

 

okay, when i took apart my gauges, i also noticed the back had a place that was already ready to be cut-out for the dash 1-2-D-N-R-P display. did the 4th gen's actually have those or were they just there for the possibility of it being like that?

 

I changed them in my 97 GLE

Yes they were 194s
I'm 100% positive.

BUt this is for the 97 only. I think the 99 has different gauges

 

now i feel a littel better i also have a 97 se and was wondering wheter they are 194 or not. i guess for the poeple that say there not 194 must have a 99 + max. later