Instrument Panel Lights Dimming
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Instrument Panel Lights Dimming
I have a 1995 ES300 with 155,000 miles on it. In the gauge cluster, some of the lights appear to be fading, especially in the corner behind the fuel gauge. Also, the needles for the tachometer and speedometer are completely black. In addition to that, the needle for the temperature gauge is flickering when the interior lights are on the highest setting. On the console, the hazard button does not light up and the fan speed control button does not light up. My question is, how do I fix this and is it an easy fix?
The following 2 users liked this post by ESchris:
KazzyEman (09-09-18),
TimVanDamm (10-21-20)
#2
Lexus Fanatic
To deal with the backlighting problems behind the gauge cluster, you can try this quick method: with your hand, wack the black plastic casing in front of the cluster and behind the steering wheel, but not too hard. You may need to do it a few more times. My friend did it to his '95 SC, and brought his backlighting to life. There's a good possibility that one or more of the light bulbs are loose from their socket connections.
This is obviously a common problem on most of the older ES and SC. I believe Lexus improved it in the '97 ES model with the white illumination of the backlighting, and electronic-powered needles, instead of the LEDs. Good luck.
This is obviously a common problem on most of the older ES and SC. I believe Lexus improved it in the '97 ES model with the white illumination of the backlighting, and electronic-powered needles, instead of the LEDs. Good luck.
The following 2 users liked this post by lexusk8:
KazzyEman (09-09-18),
TimVanDamm (10-21-20)
#3
Lexus Champion
When I had my 94ES I also noticed that the illumination was always dimmer near the gas gauge. I checked out other ES's from 92 to 96 and I found out they all had that problem. I also remember that one day I started the car and the backlight on one part of the instrument cluster was not working. I gave the top of my dashboard a shot with the side of my fist and the lights went on......I never had this problem again.
Alan
Alan
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TimVanDamm (10-21-20)
#4
Let me start off by saying that you guys just saved me some money!!!! i was gonna go get the instrument panel fixed bc i thought all the bulbs burnt out.....but i just wacked it with my fist and BAM!!! the lights came back on!!!! THANK YOU GUYS!!!
The following users liked this post:
TimVanDamm (10-21-20)
#5
Lexus Fanatic
Originally posted by BizNaz
Let me start off by saying that you guys just saved me some money!!!! i was gonna go get the instrument panel fixed bc i thought all the bulbs burnt out.....but i just wacked it with my fist and BAM!!! the lights came back on!!!! THANK YOU GUYS!!!
Let me start off by saying that you guys just saved me some money!!!! i was gonna go get the instrument panel fixed bc i thought all the bulbs burnt out.....but i just wacked it with my fist and BAM!!! the lights came back on!!!! THANK YOU GUYS!!!
The following users liked this post:
TimVanDamm (10-21-20)
#6
Super Moderator
Originally posted by BizNaz
Let me start off by saying that you guys just saved me some money!!!! i was gonna go get the instrument panel fixed bc i thought all the bulbs burnt out.....but i just wacked it with my fist and BAM!!! the lights came back on!!!! THANK YOU GUYS!!!
Let me start off by saying that you guys just saved me some money!!!! i was gonna go get the instrument panel fixed bc i thought all the bulbs burnt out.....but i just wacked it with my fist and BAM!!! the lights came back on!!!! THANK YOU GUYS!!!
wooohooooo OMG!!! i'm sitting here dying!!!!!!!!
LOL!!!!!!!!!
lexusk8's suggestion and biznaz's testimonial to it working is just soooooo darn funny. i'm imagining a saturday night live parody skit or a fake infomercial being made out of this.
you guys are killing me.
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#8
Lexus Champion
Lexus just opened up a school to teach you the proper way to whack the dashboard. Since there are multiple ways to hit it they flew in from Japan their top Karate experts. Call up Lexus and they'll tell you when and where the next class will be held. hehehe
Alan
Alan
Last edited by amf1932; 05-15-03 at 02:13 PM.
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Originally posted by Jayson
Do we remove the clear plastic cover first? I've got the same problem on my 1995 SC400. Thanks for the tips you all!
Do we remove the clear plastic cover first? I've got the same problem on my 1995 SC400. Thanks for the tips you all!
Last edited by lexusk8; 05-17-03 at 11:47 AM.
#11
So in order to correct some of the lights all I need to do is just bang on the clear plastic piece and they'll self-correct? Sorry to sound so "dim-witted," but I don't want to bust my car all up.
Thanks,
Thanks,
#12
Lexus Fanatic
Well if you were to try to bang on the clear plastic cover, then you'd end up possibly cracking the plastic
As some of us have experienced, we usually wack the black plastic cover that's located between the clear plastic cover and the steering wheel. It's also the plastic piece that covers the odometer trip buttons. Let us know if you have any luck with it.
As some of us have experienced, we usually wack the black plastic cover that's located between the clear plastic cover and the steering wheel. It's also the plastic piece that covers the odometer trip buttons. Let us know if you have any luck with it.
#13
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Massachusetts
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I tried the whacking method and all the needles are still black, anyone know what the next method might be?
I guess back to the original question, is it a big job?
I guess back to the original question, is it a big job?
#14
Lexus Test Driver
The whacking method will only fix a loose backlight bulb (in the cluster or the A/C, radio displays). The needles are LED arrays, and eventually need replacement. If you look in the SC300/400 forums (the 92-00 SC has the same type of dash as the 92-96 ES), you'll find a very informative thread written by onelasttry, who is an electrical engineer.