ES300: Replacing Cluster Backlighting Bulbs
#16
Lexucanafer
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/ranks/rank-mod2.gif)
Thread Starter
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Glad the whack job did the trick! (probably the easiest and cheapest DIY ever!) LOL
Dimming your display brightness should help to preserve them too.
Last edited by Lexucan; 08-19-07 at 07:53 AM.
#17
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hha since some people still have working needles, I'll put more tips on keeping the needles alive longer
Heat, I read on Lextech is bad for Leds, especially in the Southern California sun. Use a windshield cover and if the top of the dash feels hot, then turn the needles down.
Get used to the fact that during the day, you don't really need to see your needles...I just turn them all off.. (my friend said it looked cool b/c it was blacked out lol
)
Haha if you look on the first pg, i accidentally bought 10 led bulbs, so fortunately i found the white bulb that matched
Will post pics when it gets darker.
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
Heat, I read on Lextech is bad for Leds, especially in the Southern California sun. Use a windshield cover and if the top of the dash feels hot, then turn the needles down.
Get used to the fact that during the day, you don't really need to see your needles...I just turn them all off.. (my friend said it looked cool b/c it was blacked out lol
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
Haha if you look on the first pg, i accidentally bought 10 led bulbs, so fortunately i found the white bulb that matched
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Will post pics when it gets darker.
#18
Lexus Test Driver
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm soo confused... I've gone to all the motor acessories shops round here, and none of them have the 5mm 3W bulb for the backlghts. And none have LED's that can match the size of the original bulb. Do any of you have a link where you bought the LED's from so I can buy some?? My problem is shipping to Australia.
And another question. Did these LED's that you guys bought fit straight into the housing for the original bulb? No soldering needed?
Thanks.
P.S. I got chrome needles in my cluster :thumbs:
Pictures when I put it back into my car with new Backlights (That's all I'm waiting for now!!)
And another question. Did these LED's that you guys bought fit straight into the housing for the original bulb? No soldering needed?
Thanks.
P.S. I got chrome needles in my cluster :thumbs:
Pictures when I put it back into my car with new Backlights (That's all I'm waiting for now!!)
#19
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
P.S. I got chrome needles in my cluster :thumbs:
Pictures when I put it back into my car with new Backlights (That's all I'm waiting for now!!)
Pictures when I put it back into my car with new Backlights (That's all I'm waiting for now!!)
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
For during the day, I wanted to paint two strips on both sides of the red led part of the needle so it looks like this.. ======== <- during the day and -------- at night. the Mercedes c230 and 90's acura had the silver needles, so i think that would look cool.
Also for the backlighting leds..there is no direct led replacement for it that will fit 100%
However, the #74 bulb Lexucan recommended will work, but is somewhat loose b/c its a little thinner. I used electrical tape to stuff the extra space.
Link to ebay seller.
Shipping took 10 business days though, and I would order 10 bulbs just in case? if you search "74 led" you should come up with plenty of other sellers.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2pcs-...spagenameZWDVW
#20
Lexus Test Driver
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
man!! you stole my idea
For during the day, I wanted to paint two strips on both sides of the red led part of the needle so it looks like this.. ======== <- during the day and -------- at night. the Mercedes c230 and 90's acura had the silver needles, so i think that would look cool.
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
For during the day, I wanted to paint two strips on both sides of the red led part of the needle so it looks like this.. ======== <- during the day and -------- at night. the Mercedes c230 and 90's acura had the silver needles, so i think that would look cool.
HHAHA. Too bad bud.
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I got to chuck some pictures up now, just to claim originalty
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Oh... is that link where you bought yours from or???
#21
Lexucanafer
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/ranks/rank-mod2.gif)
Thread Starter
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm soo confused... I've gone to all the motor acessories shops round here, and none of them have the 5mm 3W bulb for the backlghts. And none have LED's that can match the size of the original bulb. Do any of you have a link where you bought the LED's from so I can buy some?? My problem is shipping to Australia.
And another question. Did these LED's that you guys bought fit straight into the housing for the original bulb? No soldering needed?
Thanks.
And another question. Did these LED's that you guys bought fit straight into the housing for the original bulb? No soldering needed?
Thanks.
Here is the item number for a current ebay listing for this type of LED
Item number: 200098292944
#24
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![EEK!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/eek1.gif)
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Let us in on the secret
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Although 64 leds is kind of excessive..
maybe 18 leds would be a better compromise..
hmm..I wonder if you can fit a couple of led strings or something similar inbetween the back of the circuit board and the face plate?
#26
Lexucanafer
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/ranks/rank-mod2.gif)
Thread Starter
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I guess putting in 8 times as many LEDs as there were original bulbs might take a while longer (maybe they are the type that incorporate multiple LEDs into one light?) but what needs calibrating?
You might need sunglasses at night to read the gauges without being blinded by the light from the cluster
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
#29
Lexucanafer
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/ranks/rank-mod2.gif)
Thread Starter