Backlight in Info Panel flickering!

[msanta]

When I took mine off, I saw some covers that looked like an "x" where you can put your flat screwdriver and kind of move them clockwise or the other way around. I think there were two of them. Is that's what you are referrring to?So, if it is all you have to do is turn them counterclockwise? That would be great!Where did you get the replacement bulbs?

 

[iFORCE]

When I took mine off, I saw some covers that looked like an "x" where you can put your flat screwdriver and kind of move them clockwise or the other way around. I think there were two of them. Is that's what you are referrring to?So, if it is all you have to do is turn them counterclockwise? That would be great!Where did you get the replacement bulbs?

yes... flathead screwdriver and turn. I got the replacement bulbs from toyota. they come with that plastic base.

 

[msanta]

A couple of more questions, I promise not to bother anymore!where they a special order or the dealer had them in stock? Do you have a part number I can use to refer to?

 

[iFORCE]

A couple of more questions, I promise not to bother anymore!where they a special order or the dealer had them in stock? Do you have a part number I can use to refer to?

They had to special order them in.. took 2 days but you never know, your dealership might have stock.

YOu know what.. I don't know the part number... the parts manager just went through the system and found the bulb. I guess it would be on my invoice... but that's in the car. sorry. Just let them know its the bulb right behind LCD display on the console.... they can find it. (small bulb)

 

[HPK]

Well shoot, if bulb-replacing is a possibility, I wonder about LEDs...I'll have to experiment a lil bit...If something cool happens, I'll holla, if not, I won't. 10-4?

Good thread...Thanks.

 

[ProMed]

I keep telling the dealership but I can never get the panel to flicker when Im there. Oh well.....anyone else???

I have only seen it happen twice and of course it wasn't doing it when I visited my dealer last week. The service writer said it was "normal" and I just laughed at the guy and shook my head..

 

[ProMed]

I have only seen it happen twice and of course it wasn't doing it when I visited my dealer last week. The service writer said it was "normal" and I just laughed at the guy and shook my head..

Since posting this I have the problem several more times. I have been taking pictures of it with my camera phone and today printed the pic below out and gave it to the service writer. He said that they will show the photos to the regional Toyota guy tomorrow to see IF (?) they can get approval to replace it. As I said above, last time they were trying to say it was normal, but during the daytime it isn't nearly as easy to gauge the severity of the issue.

If anyone else has this problem, feel free to print this out and use it yourself. I had to take a lot of pics to be able to catch the flicker at its worst and then "optimized" the image to suit my purpose at the dealership. My 06 limited has 34k on the odo, but since I have the platinum 100k warranty I will keep buggin them with this until they are forced to fix it!

 

[HPK]

LEDs!!!!!!

Took a couple pics with a green LED installed on one side. Looks great compared to the crappy orange color...I'd like to find a couple blue LEDs tho.

Quick and painless as mentioned in a previous thread. Back out the one screw in the little "cubby" and sort of pop out (I started from the bottom, where the screw was) the A/C panel. I labeled where the two sockets are for the issue at hand.

Might need to figure out how to get a resistor inline with the anode (longer leg of the LED, positive leg) to keep the heat/intensity down. I took that pic with pretty decent daylight and look at the brightness. During nighttime driving, it would prolly be a lil annoying.

Note: the bulbs can be found at radioshack I believe, but so can the LEDs.

Note2: you can replace most, if not all the bulbs on the back of this panel...I'm thinking about installing all blue LEDs.


I'll post more pics if I decide to proceed with LEDs.

Until next time...

 

[RickyCRX]

So based on that, is it just a loose connection that causes it to flicker and one to be dimmer than the other? Looks to me like the panel itself doesn't need replacing if it's just a bulb/connection issue? If it's just a matter of a bad connection, maybe it can just be cleaned and some dielectric grease added to the contacts and the flickering/dim bulb issue will be gone forever?

Ricky

 

[HPK]

So based on that, is it just a loose connection that causes it to flicker and one to be dimmer than the other? Looks to me like the panel itself doesn't need replacing if it's just a bulb/connection issue? If it's just a matter of a bad connection, maybe it can just be cleaned and some dielectric grease added to the contacts and the flickering/dim bulb issue will be gone forever?

Ricky

Upon disassembly, I could see how the thin wires (two coming from the base of each bulb) may just be the issue in the "dimming bulb" issue. The way the wire wraps around the base could actually prevent the wire from even touching the copper contacts on the circuit board (because of the base's indentions). I'd recommend "unwrapping" the bad bulb, or both, and rebending the wire (so that it is raised off the surface of the bulb's base) forcing it to contact the copper surface of the circuit board. At the same time, you may want to take a pencil eraser and give the copper contacts a little scrub.

If the bulb is bad, it won't light, so the dimming problem probably has something to do with the mating surface.

Sidenote: you could pop out this panel inside of a minute (being generous) and do this little 'maneuver' with the wiring in another 5 minutes, by the way.


LED UPDATE: I found some blue LEDs and swung by Radio Shaft today to pick up some resistors for that little experiment/project. I'll post pics later, assuming it works...AND looks good.

Have a nice day ladies and gents.

 

[HPK]

Blue LEDs installed!!!

I'm digging the blue LEDs, but the rest of the dash is still that orange/yellow/brown color. I may attempt more LEDs at a later date.

If anybody wants details on the LED's, resistors or techniques I used (I used quite a few), gimme a holler. In the meantime, have a great day and take care of your T4Rs.

 

[statman24]

How about the bulbs behind the 3 circular controls..... are they replaceable? If so, anyone have the part numbers?

 

[drmorbius]

How about the bulbs behind the 3 circular controls..... are they replaceable? If so, anyone have the part numbers?

Absolutely replaceable . There is one bulb behind each control. I found when I did this that the copper where the lamps contact the pc board was oxidized and showed heat discoloration. I used a pencil eraser to clean the pc board before installing new lamps. Be careful not to pull the flat ribbon wire which goes to these controls.

 

[statman24]

Absolutely replaceable . There is one bulb behind each control. I found when I did this that the copper where the lamps contact the pc board was oxidized and showed heat discoloration. I used a pencil eraser to clean the pc board before installing new lamps. Be careful not to pull the flat ribbon wire which goes to these controls.

Are these bulbs dealer only? Looks like there are at least 5 bulbs on the entire unit, so I might as well replace them all.

 

[drmorbius]

Are these bulbs dealer only? Looks like there are at least 5 bulbs on the entire unit, so I might as well replace them all.

I bought mine at the dealer for just the controls and they came in a sealed bag w/3 lamps in it. There are LEDs available w/the same base but I don't know how bright they are. they come in a lot of colors. I just wanted to keep the OEM look. I have heard that Radio Shack also sells them.

 

[2003-4x4runner]

Same thing happend to me last year. It never did it again untill last night. Good to see that this is a easy fix and it wasnt just me loosing my mind

 

[spo0587]

my left light on the display went out today after installing my USA Spec iPod integration unit. I was kinda scared at first, but then again it was time, the ac dial light went out two weeks ago. Now it is time to replace all 5. Anybody know how much it will be to replace all 5 (two display) and 3 control dials? toyota oem bulbs, non led?

 

[rgcary]

Hpk.

How difficult is it to get to those LED's behind the info panel? Mine are starting to flicker and need to replace them. Any directions on a starting point?

Thank you,


Rick

 

[spo0587]

Not hard at all. Do you hav the bulbs?If you want I can take pics and post for you if you want, just me know.

 

[rgcary]

Don't have the bulbs.

I was going to stop by Toyota Sat. morning to see if it's under warranty since I have the extended bumper-bumper. I don't think a bulb will be covered. Any other place to buy them besides Toyota and what is the cost just for the info display?

I'd like to know where you actually start when taking off the display so I don't crack the plastic. Thank you for any additional details.

Rick