Anyone using LED's in their instrument cluster? Because I think I just blew a fuse...
 

So this week I had the idea to put some color bulbs in my instrument panel. The 1st kind were some regular 194s with blue coating. It made the cluster too dark, so I switched to some bright LED's...plus they change colors and it looks SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK :eek: So I have a color changing instrument panel. Needed something more to keep me awake and alert on those 2, 3 sometimes even 4 day roadtrips.

But, I started checking the bulbs because there was a dim section on the instrument cluster. Thinking it was 1 of the bulbs, I was moving it around a bit and then all of a sudden the whole instrument panel went dark. My front door window switches went out, and the lights for the shift letters. But, all the hazard and warning lights on the panel work, my radio works, all exterior lights work also.

What the hell happened? Can 12V LED lights meant for 194 size bulbs cause the fuse to go out like that? I also tested the bulbs to be sure, they all work. I even switched instrument clusters (I had an old one) and that didn't work either.

you popped a fuse, look in the fuse panel under your steering wheel .... IIRC it's the INT. ILL. fuse but I am not certain

:nod:

It's the 7.5 amp fuse labelled as tigersharkdude mentioned. Replace it and you're fine

cool, I'll check it out. Maybe try to come back with some pics if I can find an image hosting site.

hey what Color changeing LED's did you use? I am looking to replace warning Light bulbs in my cluster which are blown to some LED's I have a 99 SE Limited need help with the Warning light Bulbs as OEM are like 14 bucks each and we have 14 of them in the cluster I have the Gauge is much cheaper and only need 5 .. So please do tell me what Bulbs you are using Thanks

I replaced my instrument cluster bulbs a while back. I had the cluster out to do work on the speedometer. I replaced all the bulbs "while I was in there anyway". I went to my local O'Reily auto parts store. They sold me a box full of them for about a dollar each. I figured the lights have lasted 190k miles, so the replacements will last longer than the car.

I have red LEDs all throughout my car. I had one behing the speedo catch on fire while I was driving. Blew a fuse, and burnt up part of my cluster. It was the really small SMD ones that had 20 LEDs on each one. Four on each of the five sides. The top on one shorted out. Smelled great in there for a couple weeks after.

Just having LEDs should not blow a fuse. LED use less power than conventional bulbs, so at the very least the power draw would be the same, not more.