O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

In the early 2000's when Club Lexus was getting solidified and we had accumulated a good amount of info several members worked towards solutions to fix common issues with the platform We had limited options as there was no aftermarket support for these vehicles so we had to make things work. Some of the members worked on turbo solutions, others worked on suspension, I took on the lighting. The official true ice blue thread explored every aspect of these clusters inside and out. First we took a look inside, then we started poking it with a stick to see if we could make it dance. This was all new territory and the journey was exciting.
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https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...-clusters.html

Back then you could get away with opening these clusters and just replacing backlight and needles Now days there are other things that need to be done (capacitors) to ensure they stay working as a lot of those components have not withstood the test of time. I'll be going in depth again here in 2020 about how to maintain your cluster in 2020 to keep it working and looking better than ever. This post will be edited and added to as I create more videos.

​​​​These are going to tell you how, but they will not be step by step. You need to be able to take what you see and make it work without having your hand held, this is called qualifying. It helps make sure that the person doing the work has business trying to do it. I'll tell you what you need to know and you take it from there.

I want to see people who take these instructions and make clusters show off their work. This will be the start to a new version of the true ice blue Era where we all do it together. As I explain in the videos, I feel we are now finally at a point where technology has made it easy enough for everyone to do this job. I want to see your success!!

Starting with backlight:

Deathbarel

I recently had success with replacing my coolant temp needle. I pulled a good fuel needle from a junkyard SC and pulled off the plastic rivets and was able to remove the weight in the fuel needle, glue back in the led strip and use it as a coolant needle. To get the new needle back in the the middle zone of the gauge, I had to leave the lens off, reinstall the cluster, get my car up to temp then reinstall it at the middle of the gauge.

Luxor

iTrader: (15)

Great thread! I look forward to member success stories!

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

Found my notes on capacitors.

phrozen

iTrader: (2)

When will you be coming out with the needle DIY for a 99 cluster =)

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

Aside of voltage polarity it’s the same method. You just lay the contacts down and use a smaller led. Most of the issue with the 99 needles is they are very thin so not great at lighting. They work, but not as well. The earlier needles can be as bright as oem, I don’t see a way the 99 could be without replacing with smd technology and that’s going to fail again due to heat.

phrozen

iTrader: (2)

IIRC the 99 needles have a colored film on the needles as well, can that be removed? I would like white needles

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

Best to retrofit older 92/93 needles. No hurdles to it.

t2d2

iTrader: (8)

Did the needles change between '98 and '99? My '98 needles illuminate quite well, but I suppose it's more of a soft glow than the intense light often put out by LEDs. I think my '94 and '95 may have been brighter.

neonninja

Great thread. I have a 95 cluster with dead backlights, so will attempt this with LED strips. I presume the 95 has cathode tube looking from the rear of the cluster I don't see little bulb holders?

With the Caps, mine look like they might have been replaced.

Phillie

Awesome! Can't wait to do this.