DIY MOD: Dashboard light always on and dimmer still works. Applies to 03's

G

gshadow325

New member
So i have 5% window tint, many times i cant see how fast i am going during the daytime. Since i had to install the newest Drone Mobile DR-3100 in my truck to replace the last generation DR-2000. New one works off Verizon's 4G/LTE network. Unlike everyone else on the market uses 2G and 3G aka viper's smart start. Enough about technology, lets get down to the nitty gritty...the MOD!

Vehicle: 2003 4runner V8, read this does not need to apply to 2004 and newer cars

CONCEPT:
Provide power to guage cluster when vehicle is running. No loss of functionality. Dimmer will still dim cluster, regardless if the car is running or not. If car is not running and parking lights are turned on. dimmer still works and it will still turn on cluster.

parts: two 1amp diodes as shown in the picture. some know how to get the cluster out.


-so go to the right connector at the cluster.
-you need to go to the left row of the right connector
-two wires you are concerned with is
*red/blue is ignition power
*green is power coming from dimmer switch(this wire was original power supply to cluster that only had power when the parking lights were turned on

green will be cut in half. trim back some of the tape that is covering the harness so you have more wire to work with.


red/blue will need to be stripped back


diodes need to be used like this


this is the diodes installed before insulation


here is a video of it in action. click on the picture to see the video
 
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Very nice but why is this applicable only to the 2003? Is that because you know there's a difference or you just being safe? I'm not big on light mods but the dimming is really annoying - I want this mod on my '05!
 
CXS said:
Very nice but why is this applicable only to the 2003? Is that because you know there's a difference or you just being safe? I'm not big on light mods but the dimming is really annoying - I want this mod on my '05!
Click to expand...

When [MENTION=63211]emelianenkov[/MENTION] was doing his LED cluster mod for folks, I remember him trying all sorts of years clusters on his 4r (2005) to make sure they worked. Alex, correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway, if true, the pins SHOULD be the same. I THINK he is tapping into the pins that deal with lighting (going to look this up later). If you 4R has other options (like adjustable suspension, 4x4 (V6 models), etc), then some pins are different. I could be wrong.

Anyway, I can't see why this wouldn't work on our 05s. Some things changed on the 06+. After I look this up to make sure it works, I'm going to tackle it. I HATE when the cluster LEDs dim when I turn on the lights.

HATE IT.

Hate it worse than mayonnaise.
 
Great, if you get to it please post up. I find it really annoying and would love it if it works!
 
Ok, guys.

the red/blue wire is the intrument cluster ignition power feed.

the green wire is actually the same wire that comes from the rheostat. this wire gets power from all things the power going to rear tail lights

outlined in red


the other wire above it is w-g stands for white/green. that wire is controlling the dimming

downloading 2006 fsm right now to see if there are any wireing differences.

from my research only 03's dont light up the dash all the time.

tell me what is the difference in 04-05 and 06-09?
 
just looked at 2006 fsm and found this.

here is 2003 and i have circled the wires in question

C10-7 = white/green from rheostat
C10-9 = Green illumination input from rheostat/tail lamp
C10-15 = red/blue ignition power to cluster




now 2006 FSM
C10-7 = white/green from rheostat
C10-9 = Green illumination input from rheostat/tail lamp
C10-15 = red/blue ignition power to cluster



Looks the same to me. since i do not have a 2004-2009 to play with YMMV

I have done the home work, now get to it whoever is going to do it!
 
CookieRoe said:
When [MENTION=63211]emelianenkov[/MENTION] was doing his LED cluster mod for folks, I remember him trying all sorts of years clusters on his 4r (2005) to make sure they worked. Alex, correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway, if true, the pins SHOULD be the same. I THINK he is tapping into the pins that deal with lighting (going to look this up later). If you 4R has other options (like adjustable suspension, 4x4 (V6 models), etc), then some pins are different. I could be wrong.

Anyway, I can't see why this wouldn't work on our 05s. Some things changed on the 06+. After I look this up to make sure it works, I'm going to tackle it. I HATE when the cluster LEDs dim when I turn on the lights.

HATE IT.

Hate it worse than mayonnaise.
Click to expand...

You sure you wanna mess with wiring again? ;)
 
Lmao>........................................

emelianenkov said:
You sure you wanna mess with wiring again? ;)
Click to expand...




ahhahahahahha, first thing I thought of when I read your reply. Still paying (literary) for that mistake............... urghhh..................... YES, I'm always a bit leery of touching my wires, but this mod shouldn't fry anything.

If I do, well, it will be the first time in decades that I'd cry like a baby.
 
CookieRoe said:



ahhahahahahha, first thing I thought of when I read your reply. Still paying (literary) for that mistake............... urghhh..................... YES, I'm always a bit leery of touching my wires, but this mod shouldn't fry anything.

If I do, well, it will be the first time in decades that I'd cry like a baby.
Click to expand...

you know i am in 19131 [MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION]
 
CookieRoe said:



ahhahahahahha, first thing I thought of when I read your reply. Still paying (literary) for that mistake............... urghhh..................... YES, I'm always a bit leery of touching my wires, but this mod shouldn't fry anything.

If I do, well, it will be the first time in decades that I'd cry like a baby.
Click to expand...

Lmao it will be ok Ed
 
too me, my blue led swap on my 07 is still full brightness with or without the parking lights on. maybe im use to the brightness already.
 
emelianenkov said:
Mall crawler mall crawler mall crawler mall crawler
Click to expand...

If I was single and had some money, it would be a different story. This rig has been driven a lot recently by my wife (who is 5',0"). She has a hard enough time getting our 2 year old in/out as is.

Would love to get a 06+ish Sport with V8. For myself.

Until such time........... little mods will have to fill the void, LOL.
 
CookieRoe said:
Seeing how your rigs could/would trample mine (bone stock suspension/wheel/tires) into dust, I'd still be interested in a meet.
Click to expand...

Took a bone stock 97 4 cylinder 4 runner with 205k and it did very very well. Lots of fun playing in the mud. The guys that I know that want to go, that's all they want to do is play in the mud! That's fun.

I am going to find a date in January/February on a Sat to go. Just to give enough time for everyone to save the date.
 
1 amp diode, what volt rating?

Was at the KOP mall today with my wife (bored out of my mind). Meandered to the Radio Shack to get this mod started. Not being an electrical guy, I didn't think twice of the 1 amp diode for this. When I saw the shelf, saw many 1 amps, but many volt ratings. I saw 5V upto 200Volts. I'm seeing the schematics you posted that 3 wires have (upto) 14V.
[MENTION=93434]gshadow325[/MENTION] : Dumb question, which one should I get? Educated guess would be to get a 14V/1amp diode. (can't find one online, only see 12V). :shrug:

Thanks
 
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