duhafnusa4

Hi everybody!

i just got a lexus sc300 5 spd for a good deal and the cluster needles dont light up.

ive done extensive searching and research on here on how to fix it yourself, but i have come up with no information on what exactly happens that makes them burn out and how to fix it yourself, just a recommendation to send it to lextech.

im in university for mechanical engineering and have no qualms with doing it myself, i would just like to know what causes the issue and how to replace the bulbs or leds.

thanks!!!!

Justinizme

They basically reverse polarity over time if I am not mistaken. Not 100% sure on how to replace the lights themselves. If I did, i'd be making bank like O.L.T

Kalogerus

iTrader: (3)

I believe you have to solider it out and solider the new ones back in. If I remember correct lexus clusters before 97 would overheat causing the dancing effect then completely burn out the needle. This is due to not reducing the power to the needles by 5v when headlights are on which was fixed in 97+ clusters. Somebody had more and in depth details about this somewhere here.

duhafnusa4

so its the leds that just need replacing in the needles?

do you know what kind they are and if they cannot be removed from the needles is there a tear down of how to dissaemble the cluster and where to get new needles?

If i get the new leds i plan on making a diy on how to do it so there is another option than the 100 dollar choice.

duhafnusa4

also i could add a 5 volt voltage regulator to the needle system which would stabilize the lighting.

boostin240

iTrader: (1)

Im with you on this. I will help provide you as much information as I can. I got a spare cluster that I can use for this and I will offer as many pictures as I can. Lets figure this out together so we can have working clusters.

Thanks

Kalogerus

iTrader: (3)

here this should help
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...g-needles.html

also I dont think u need a 5v regulator, chances of the needles going out in the next few years (5 or so? Maybe more) after replacement are weak. However if you're adding a regulator regardless you should take example from the 97+ lexus and see where the regulator is, because its the same reason radio and climate LCD's go out.

You know how in other cars (at least all my other cars) when you turn on the headlights all lights (mainly LCD's and cluster) go a bit dimmer? I think this is what is NOT happening which causes all these screwed up needles, cluster lights and burned out climate and radio LCD's.

I still cannot find the write up about what exactly happens, I assume OLT wrote it.

- Kal

duhafnusa4

cool boostin240, this is a great community so ive seen so far, but the more diys the better i think

ok does anyone have the sc300 fsm for both the early and late cars? that way i can check out the wiring diagrams and see the differences and apply what lexus did.

BTW my stereo is dead too, i thought it was the mute line which i unplugged and it worked for a day, then totally dead, is it worth it to try and trace the issue, if not im going to get a double din touchscreen navi unit.

thanks

2JTsc300

i sent mint to lextech

hoosier58

There is a very complete DIY in the ES300 forums, where it tells you how to carefully solder in resistors and LEDs to make the tips (at least) light --- it's pretty good, and will give you the background data you need to decide if, and how much, you want to do yourself.
Good luck!
And keep us updated!

duhafnusa4

thanks man ill look into it and I will keep you updated!

Blk96sc3

iTrader: (-2)

man I wish I could fix my needles...I just did all hyperwhite in the backlighting with the 4led smd bulbs and it looks great...no hotspots at all and only cost $10 on ebay

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

Post that in 5 more threads buddy I'm not sure the forum heard you the other 4 times.

PS- you have hot spots.

duhafnusa4

blk96sc3 lol i saw the other threads too haha, a little overkill , plus ebay leds are usually lower quality, meaning you are going to have to do it again...

cww180

iTrader: (8)

Looks great!