Are the instrument cluster bulbs "paired"?
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,838
From: NYC
Are the instrument cluster bulbs "paired"?
Hey guys, I have a stupid question and cannot find the answer via searching. I got in the car Monday AM and noticed that the entire left half of my instrument cluster wasn't lit up. After driving a few miles, it came on and has been fine since.
I was wondering if the bulbs are paired like you have on a Christmas tree where is one bulb goes bad, it takes a second with it? I cannot image this being the case but I figured I would ask anyway.
I plan on replacing all four bulbs this weekend and found documentation on that here so I think I am good to go with that. I hate not having a visible speedometer in this car. It's too damn easy to speed in it.
I was wondering if the bulbs are paired like you have on a Christmas tree where is one bulb goes bad, it takes a second with it? I cannot image this being the case but I figured I would ask anyway.
I plan on replacing all four bulbs this weekend and found documentation on that here so I think I am good to go with that. I hate not having a visible speedometer in this car. It's too damn easy to speed in it.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,838
From: NYC
I am replacing all four. I figured that if I am taking the thing out, might as well do all of them. It's an extra $2-3 out of my pocket but saves me taking the thing out again for a long time. 
noticed this a few times on mine as well and was wondering if it was a comon problem but keep forgetting to do a search on it. Guess i'll replace the bulbs, or possibly changem to LEDs while im at it when I have more time.
Also, where did you see that writeup on replacing the bulbs? I only see the LED ones
Also, where did you see that writeup on replacing the bulbs? I only see the LED ones
Last edited by OnOiShNo0dl3Z; Mar 29, 2011 at 06:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,838
From: NYC
noticed this a few times on mine as well and was wondering if it was a comon problem but keep forgetting to do a search on it. Guess i'll replace the bulbs, or possibly changem to LEDs while im at it when I have more time.
Also, where did you see that writeup on replacing the bulbs? I only see the LED ones
Also, where did you see that writeup on replacing the bulbs? I only see the LED ones
Here is what I have found: (from another forum: http://www.b15sentra.net/forums/arch.../t-169400.html)
#74 bulbs for the guage cluster...
Just changing out the bulb is really easy, only 5 screws to remove:
1. Tilt your steering wheel all the way down
2. Look at the plastic bezel around the gauges, Remove the two Phillips screws on the top.
(It can be tricky getting this peice out with the steering wheel in the way, I had to carefully bend it to remove/reinstall it.)
3. Now you see the white gauge cluster, with three phillips head screws. one on the top, and one on each side. remove them.
4. Gently pull the cluster toward you, and face it downwards on top of the steering column.
5. You will see where the base of the light twists into the cluster, untwist and remove the one you want to replace.
6. Swap the "base" of the burn out bulb to the new bulb, they "wedge" into the base.
7. Screw the bulb back in, re-assemble with the 5 screws you removed. Done.
same goes for installing the #74 l.e.ds, but if you want to change the color and still see your gauges at night, you'll have to pull the whole cluster apart and do some sanding.
#74 bulbs for the guage cluster...
Just changing out the bulb is really easy, only 5 screws to remove:
1. Tilt your steering wheel all the way down
2. Look at the plastic bezel around the gauges, Remove the two Phillips screws on the top.
(It can be tricky getting this peice out with the steering wheel in the way, I had to carefully bend it to remove/reinstall it.)
3. Now you see the white gauge cluster, with three phillips head screws. one on the top, and one on each side. remove them.
4. Gently pull the cluster toward you, and face it downwards on top of the steering column.
5. You will see where the base of the light twists into the cluster, untwist and remove the one you want to replace.
6. Swap the "base" of the burn out bulb to the new bulb, they "wedge" into the base.
7. Screw the bulb back in, re-assemble with the 5 screws you removed. Done.
same goes for installing the #74 l.e.ds, but if you want to change the color and still see your gauges at night, you'll have to pull the whole cluster apart and do some sanding.
Www.superbrightleds.com alot better quality than the ones from eBay
Removing the tint (sanding) will increase light output as well as get rid of the blue effect.
Mainly though, it just gets rid of the blue (if your car is an SE)
I'm fairly sure your car only has 2 gauge illumination bulbs. The two on the bottom are the backlights for your LCD displays.
As Knight recommended, replace both.
You won't like what happens if you install single LED's in the stock locations, especially if you only have 2 gauge illumination bulbs.
Mainly though, it just gets rid of the blue (if your car is an SE)
I'm fairly sure your car only has 2 gauge illumination bulbs. The two on the bottom are the backlights for your LCD displays.
As Knight recommended, replace both.
You won't like what happens if you install single LED's in the stock locations, especially if you only have 2 gauge illumination bulbs.
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