Stereo & climate control backlight problem
07-27-03 | 07:54 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 130
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From: Texas
Stereo & climate control backlight problem
Not sure if this goes here or the lighting forum.
I took out my instrument cluster today to investigate a burnt bulb. After taking the bulb out so that I can go and buy a replacement tomorrow I put the cluster back and noticed that several others are out. I thought, *****, what did I do. .
So I took it out and moved it around to check the connections. I put it back and notice more bulbs were burnt out. I moved the bulbs around a few more times and in the process kill all but one bulb. 
Tonight, took the car out and noticed that all the backlights to my climate control and radio are out. I KNOW I didn't touch any of those bulbs, so what could be the problem?
I took out my instrument cluster today to investigate a burnt bulb. After taking the bulb out so that I can go and buy a replacement tomorrow I put the cluster back and noticed that several others are out. I thought, *****, what did I do. .
So I took it out and moved it around to check the connections. I put it back and notice more bulbs were burnt out. I moved the bulbs around a few more times and in the process kill all but one bulb. Tonight, took the car out and noticed that all the backlights to my climate control and radio are out. I KNOW I didn't touch any of those bulbs, so what could be the problem?
07-27-03 | 08:04 PM
#2
to the tune of Frank Sinatra "Luck be a lady with me"
unfortunately lexus units can't be effectively opened without it killing some of the bulbs MOST of the time. (as far as the radio and climate go) i could get into a long spill about why, but there's no use. open them up, the old bulbs die. the short version is that it rattles the filament in the bulb.
why were you going to put 6 volt bulbs in it anyway? they die because of voltage spikes from the turn signals. put 6 volts back in it, they die again.
unfortunately lexus units can't be effectively opened without it killing some of the bulbs MOST of the time. (as far as the radio and climate go) i could get into a long spill about why, but there's no use. open them up, the old bulbs die. the short version is that it rattles the filament in the bulb.
why were you going to put 6 volt bulbs in it anyway? they die because of voltage spikes from the turn signals. put 6 volts back in it, they die again.
Last edited by O. L. T.; 07-27-03 at 08:05 PM.
07-27-03 | 08:42 PM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
From: California
i killed about 3 bulbs in the speedo, and some were dead to begin with.
when i looked at the rest of the bulbs that were working, i noticed they're gonna burn out anytime soon, so i changed all of them.
when i looked at the rest of the bulbs that were working, i noticed they're gonna burn out anytime soon, so i changed all of them.
07-27-03 | 08:45 PM
#4
by the way....
i forgot to tell you, smack the cluster above the dash on top. it isnt a very advanced method of repair, but it works. it shakes the filament back into place.
if your bulbs do this when you remove the cluster, it means that they are going bad. the filament is getting old and the shaking and jarring is getting ot them. replaceing them is cheap and works like a charm.
#24's in the speedo.
i forgot to tell you, smack the cluster above the dash on top. it isnt a very advanced method of repair, but it works. it shakes the filament back into place.
if your bulbs do this when you remove the cluster, it means that they are going bad. the filament is getting old and the shaking and jarring is getting ot them. replaceing them is cheap and works like a charm.
#24's in the speedo.
Last edited by O. L. T.; 07-27-03 at 08:47 PM.
07-27-03 | 10:10 PM
#5
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,984
Likes: 0
From: TheOC
Originally posted by Aznteazer
i killed about 3 bulbs in the speedo, and some were dead to begin with.
when i looked at the rest of the bulbs that were working, i noticed they're gonna burn out anytime soon, so i changed all of them.
i killed about 3 bulbs in the speedo, and some were dead to begin with.
when i looked at the rest of the bulbs that were working, i noticed they're gonna burn out anytime soon, so i changed all of them.
07-28-03 | 07:19 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Ended up buying 8 new bulbs from dealership to put in my cluster. They came with blue rubber boots over the bulbs so I just left it on there. I hope it doesn't melt because I like the somewhat whitish look now. Also, I guess you have to tighten all the screw on the back of the cluster before the backlight on the stereo and climate control will work. What a relief! I would hate to replace those at this time.
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