Gauge lighting replacement problems

[aeroneer1]

Hey All,

I'm trying to get super bright white LEDs in my gauge cluster. After doing a bunch of research and reading the typical threads around here, I ordered a set of LEDs off autolumination.com for the gauges, and HVAC, keyring for about $50 with shipping. These are the lights I got for my 2001:

Description Unit price Qty Amount
24
Item# Matrix , Color: Super White , Lens: Matrix $6.99 USD 3 $20.97 USD
(gauges)

Neowedge
Item# Japanese OEM , Color: Super White , Lens: Type A Led $3.99 USD 2 $7.98 USD
(rear defrost / ECT / rear window)

Neowedge
Item# Japanese OEM , Color: Super White , Lens: Type B Led $3.99 USD 3 $11.97 USD
(HVAC)

74
Item# Samsung Led , Color: Super White , Lens: Forward $3.99 USD 1 $3.99 USD
(keyring)


So I pulled my gauge cluster out and replaced the 3 green condom'd bulbs with the 3 #24s from above. First, they were loose. WTF? Every forum I read for 2001-2002 the gauges have #24! So I put a tiny piece of tape not touching any contacts just keep them in securely. Put gauges back in, and no lights at all. So I pulled them back out, and turned one around, hoping I happened to have them all reversed, no dice, no lighting.

So I took the green condoms off old bulbs and put them back in, all works.

Anyone have any ideas what I'm doing wrong here? Or common problems that happened? Is it a series circuit, so if I have just 1 reversed, the whole gauge cluster doesn't work?

Also the single samsung LED from above I got for the keyring bulb, and ... it's too big. WTF!!!


Heres a pic of stock bulb and the new LED stuffed in:

 

[4Runnin Tahoe]

This is definitely one of the most frustrating projects. It sounds like you have all the right bulb sizes. My problems were every bulb seemed too big, but you just kinda have to shove it in there.

I ordered mine here: 24-xHP LED CAR BULB Specifications

View some of the conversations I had with other people about this project on my profile page, maybe that'll help. I don't really have any other advice... sorry.

 

[justwoody1]

Mine were loose also when installing. I just push the contacts inward on the socket to make them tighter.

 

[aeroneer1]

So I figured it all out. I used a knife to push the contacts in a bit to hold the LED in better, and I also found that the LED + has to be pointing below the 'TOSHIBA' on the other side of the bulb insert. Then the bulb insert has to be inserted such that the TOSHIBA is right side up. Now all of them work.

I'm still fighting with the rear window / ECT / rear defroster LEDs, those things are the biggest pain, b/c once they're in, you can't really get them out without destroying them, and of course they are polarized too.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

yeah agreed about this project being a pain. Those multi-LED 24 bulbs are a pain to get to stick. they are really weird and i don't know why they don't fit the way they do. The regular single LED bulbs fit really snug.

For your ECT button that whole unit comes apart so you can get access to the front. They are a pain though and plug everything in before you put it all together to make sure the bulbs are in right.

 

[01thunder]

any photos of finished product? i want this but want to see what everything looks like. is the list all the correct bulbs?

 

[01thunder]

This is definitely one of the most frustrating projects. It sounds like you have all the right bulb sizes. My problems were every bulb seemed too big, but you just kinda have to shove it in there.

I ordered mine here: 24-xHP LED CAR BULB Specifications

View some of the conversations I had with other people about this project on my profile page, maybe that'll help. I don't really have any other advice... sorry.

how do you know what is what bulb? neo3, neo4, etc? this crap is confusing.

 

[01thunder]

what size lamp goes in the shifter?

 

[4Runnin Tahoe]

how do you know what is what bulb? neo3, neo4, etc? this crap is confusing.

I'm not sure what you mean by neo3/neo4.... and yeah, I remember I spend many nights trying to figure out what bulbs I had to buy. What are you trying to replace?

 

[4Runnin Tahoe]

what size lamp goes in the shifter?

I assume you have an '01? I believe it's a #74 bulb. Search it to be sure though. There is also a "vehicle bulb selector" option on superbrightleds.com

 

[GottaBeTRD]

neo 3 is a 3mm bulb that lights up your ect, defrost and rear window button. the neo 4 is a 4mm bulb that covers the 3 knobs in your HVAC. I guess it technically classified as wedge-base bulb which makes no sense because there are no wedges what-so-ever in these particular bulbs. they just twist in.

these are #24 and #74 bulbs


these are your neo wedge 3mm bulbs (Stock vs LED)

 

[01thunder]

well, i installed some in my gauge cluster and it looks like crap! it looks like some bulbs are burned out because some spots are brighter than the rest! now what? i bought them from super bright and i doubt they will take them back, not to mention the time and money i will spend returning them. suggestions?

what is the best choice that fits in the hole and gives nice bright light? otherwise, i'll put back now factory bulbs without the rubbers and call it day. led in key ring looks great as well as shifter.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

the camera i was using makes them look a lot brighter then they really are. They are a tad brighter then the stock bulbs. I know superbright sells a couple different shades of white. I got the warm white on accident once and hated the output.

another easy option to light up the cluster is to get some of those LED strips and tap into one of the wires that is attached to your lights. that should give you a good amount of light. I'll do this eventually but have other projects for now

 

[aeroneer1]

well, i installed some in my gauge cluster and it looks like crap! it looks like some bulbs are burned out because some spots are brighter than the rest! now what? i bought them from super bright and i doubt they will take them back, not to mention the time and money i will spend returning them. suggestions?

what is the best choice that fits in the hole and gives nice bright light? otherwise, i'll put back now factory bulbs without the rubbers and call it day. led in key ring looks great as well as shifter.

So the trick to getting the gauge cluster to light up evenly is use white wax paper around the lights, to spread the light throughout evenly. Look at ripcord's build thread for details.