sascuderi

Has anyone had to replace/repair the florescent lighting in their dash? The left side of mine is getting dimmer and dimmer, and at times I can hardly see the speedometer/trip meter/gas gage. The only time its brighter is when the inside of the car is hot.

Anyone else have this problem? What’s the fix?

tjmoney87

I'm kinda having the same problem too...I'm trying to figure if LED's, or if an LED strip can replace the florescent tube.

sascuderi

I was wondering the same too. I've checked on all the online parts site and they don;t seem to sell, or even mention, a replacement bulb.

Do you think its fixed to the cluster and not replaceable?

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

I've not actually looked at it, but I wonder if it's the same type of part they put into LCD screens for backlights?

You might see if you can pull it apart, take it out, and compare it to photos of other backlights online and see if you can find a suitable replacement.

tjmoney87

I've looked at it, it appears to be the same size as the back-lighting in laptops, but it appears it can't be replaced...If I can get my hands on another cluster, I'll try an LED strip. I've contacted my dealership (Infiniti of Memphis) about this and they want to replace the whole cluster. To me that seems like overkill for just a florescent tube...

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

Just curious - why can't it be replaced? If it's soldered in there you should be able to de-solder it, or is there something else I'm missing?

My thoughts on the LED strip are that if you were able to replace it, I worry that you might not be able to dim it.

tjmoney87

I took a look at it again this morning, that tube is stuck in there...plastic covers the terminals so it's not coming out of there. Wish I had my camera handy when I took it apart to show... The LED strip hopefully will lighten/darken with the rheostat, I was going to tap the cigarette lighter for power.

sascuderi

If you tap into the cigarette power then won't it always get full power and not dim when the headlights are turned on?

If you do fix this problem using an LED strip, please post a how-to!!

tjmoney87

Yeah, I forgot about that, I was looking at a Maxima FSM...I'll try to find a source to tap with the ignition switch in the ON or even the ACC position...I I have a LED strip on the way. If I can get this to work, I'll surely post a how-to...

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

I hope so. In my [admittedly limited] experience, LEDs don't like to dim very much, if at all, unless you're using something like a PWM.

sascuderi

I don't know if that is 100% true. I replaced the bulb in the clock with an LED and it dims just fine.

Sure would like to fix the dash issue. Can't read the left side of the dash unless it's real hot in the car. Then the left side lights fine!

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

True, my clock LEDs dim as well. I guess I was thinking about the dimming before turning off on my door and dome lights (both swapped with LEDs) which has pretty much disappeared.

sascuderi

Yes true, the LEDs in my door and dome no longer dim and just go out.

Jmahad01

iTrader: (8)

I dont think its the bulb that is causing the problem. After much trouble shooting replacing parts from a donor cluster, it is the board in the back thats the problem. The bulb is replacable but not sold. the only way to get it is with another cluster.

If you replace the board it will fix the problem but the mileage will be wrong.

sascuderi

So the best fix, it sounds like, is to figure a way to add lighting to the cluster.

Any ideas out there?

Jmahad01

iTrader: (8)

I guess so. The only thing is that there is such little space in there that I have no idea what would fit inside. I had mine completly apart and the only space you really have is where the florcesent tube already is. You would need to find something similar for even light. I dont think you can hard-wire the current tube to light on your dimmer switch because there are like 10 prongs that connect it to the board, not simple wiring.

sascuderi

tjmoney87

+1, I just got my led strip so I'm going to try to see if I can get it to work...

sascuderi

Thats great....please keep us updated! Thanks

sascuderi

Anyone have any updates on a fix yet? (successful or not??)

ZGadson

This is not what I wanted to see posted here. I had a '92 Lexus with the same type of dash illumination. Because the car was older, the chance of the dash lights failing were higher - which is why, as the cars got older, the prices for new gauge clusters got higher. Within 2 years, clusters posted on ebay and other sites rose from $200 up to $500 just because they were in high demand and our only option.

They were designed to be replaceable by the dealer only. There are no replacement bulbs- new gauge clusters were only sold as whole pieces with the illumination system built into the plastic, so if your lights were dead, you had to spend the $1400 for the whole gauge cluster, or shop ebay.


The same thing is coming for our cars. Extortion at it's finest.

Jmahad01

iTrader: (8)

I wonder if the I35 has the same problem. Again, on the A33 I30 clusters, I believe the bulb is not to blame, it is the main board itself. I replaced the bulb and got the same results. The bulb is replaceable just not sold. You have to take it from another cluster.

ZGadson

Exactly. And to get the bulb, you have to buy another whole cluster assembly.

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

Depending on the time you have to work on it as well as the cost, re-wiring and installing an A33 Maxima cluster of the same year might be a better long-term solution.

tjmoney87

Well guys, I got it to work ! I was thinking it was going to be a nightmare but it was actually fairly easy. I'll post a how to when I get a chance, I'm pooped now .

sascuderi

OMG please post when you rest up.....(I've been considering just buying a new cluster to fix the problem but it was too expensive)

tjmoney87

Well everyone, I did the unthinkable, got it to work! I also posted a how-to here...
http://forums.maxima.org/infiniti-i3...strip-how.html