Dashboard Lighting

[Meow]

I bought them from a generic store. And the temperatures of the little bulbs in your gauge cluster aren't high enough to cause a problem. This is not according to me however, it's according to some guy that did it, and still has it. I'm 99% sure it was on this forum, but it may have been on TN from a Camry.
Do NOT attempt this on higher wattage bulbs like headlights and fogs, etc... cause those DO run hot
I used that exact same "adapter"
Well, not really an adapter lol, I just took a 1/4" socket and popped the screw driver bit into it and used my small ratchet to undo them. Alternatively you can use a stubby screwdriver.

[philosophicaljt]

Would something like these be any better? They have leds pointed on the sides, might give them a try....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2pcs-168-194-Refractor-5-LED-Spark-Blue-Wedge-Bulb_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33713QQihZ010QQitemZ200136389020QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

those would be worse. You want the light dispersed, not focused.

Generic LED's do great as long as you shave them down. It makes all the difference.

['00vegas-solara]

http://www.solaraguy.org/viewtopic.php?t=29292&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
Check out this link for some pics of a Blue LED retrofit I have done.

[Meow]

As nice as that looks, you still have heavy bright spots, and it's obvious even from the pics.

[PapaDukes027]

I searched around a bit and cant find a tutorial on taking apart the dashboard. I really dont wanna start taking apart the gauges and then screw something up. Anyone have any pics showing where the bulbs are and what goes where. Thanks.

[woa_its_j3ff]

I searched around a bit and cant find a tutorial on taking apart the dashboard. I really dont wanna start taking apart the gauges and then screw something up. Anyone have any pics showing where the bulbs are and what goes where. Thanks.

I answered your question already in this thread.
http://www.solaraguy.org/viewtopic.php?t=9555&start=75

[Kenz]

Generic LED's do great as long as you shave them down. It makes all the difference.

How exactly do you shave them? Sanding them a bit so the light isn't as focused?

[PapaDukes027]

Anyone know off the top of their head the bulb used in the head unit?? Mines out. I opened the unit today and got rid of the old one.

[yevhend52]

the 5 main bulbs are #194 and the P,R,N,D,2,1 are size #74

I too took off the green caps and painter the bulbs with red nail polish however the light output isnt n good as i'd like it to be but i guess i'll live with it for now. I also did the ignition light red and the glovebox light red

[Traceur]

dukes, i will try the blue nail polish, if you wanna wait for me to get some pics up, im doing it tonight, when im finished installing my xbox


i just need to find a chart on how to safely take the dash apart..

[campfire9]

Viper1400--I did a couple of tutorial on changing the dash lighting. Just go to tutorial and on page 1 look for campfire9 and the same on page 2. Hope this helps

[Meow]

Honestly, you're not taking apart the dash. Remove the two screws in your gauge cluster, you'll see them if you just stick your head in there and look up. Take those two out and PULL the plastic piece out. When you do, you'll see four screws holding the gauge cluster in place. Undo them, and pull the gauge cluster out. Bulbs are on back of it. I didn't even bother unplugging it, just took the bulbs out, did my thing, put them back in, put it in.