Gauge lights don't work/possible instrument cluster replacement?

[Kraze]

Well, I messed up. I don't know where, but it's obvious that I messed up because I now have no working gauge lights.

I successfully completed one LED swap for the gauges, but it wasn't very bright and I didn't think all of them were on, so I went back to replace the LEDs I used with some 3 LED lights. I have tried every possible combination, switching the LEDs around due to the polarity thing, putting the old LEDs back in that I know used to work, switching them around a couple times, I just can't get the gauge lights to come back on. Does anyone have any idea what could have gone wrong that's keeping the LEDs from coming on? The rest of the lights come on, and the other instrument panel lights come on for the different indicators.

Does everything have to be plugged back in for the gauge lights to come on? I don't have the dash fully back together, but I have everything connected to the instrument panel, and I had the dimmer plugged back in as well when I was testing. I think the only thing that's unplugged this point is the clutch start cancel switch, which I couldn't imagine would keep the lights from coming on?

Also, if I have to get a replacement cluster off the forums here, I take it the odometer will read whatever the previous cluster had on it, instead of the true miles on mine?

Edit: And yes, I know, there's a ton of threads on the LED swap. I've read them. I haven't seen any that have gone drastically wrong like mine though, with a possibility of having to replace the whole cluster, so that's why I made a new thread.

 

[Singtoe]

Makes sure you dimmer is maxed out clock wise.

Check you fuses too.

 

[Kraze]

I did make sure the dimmer was all the way up, but haven't checked the fuses yet. I'll do that. Would the 3 gauge lights be on a different fuse than the rest of the instrument panel though? I was thinking they'd be the same, that's why I didn't check.

 

[Kraze]

Inside fuse panel fuses look good, including the one for "gauge" which I'm guessing was the one I was looking for?

 

[BlackCat914]

are you sure you bought 12v LED's?

 

[Kraze]

I'm pretty sure I did, although they don't say anywhere that they're 12v.

Here's the latest ones I tried:

And here's the ones I successfully used before, that are back in there now but not working anymore:

24 LED Bulb - 1 SMD LED Wedge Base | Miniature Wedge Base LEDs | LED Car Bulbs | Super Bright LEDs

 

[NachoPitt]

Have you tried putting the bulbs back in to see if that makes a difference? When something like this happens, I go back to square one and start over.

The "new to you" cluster will have whatever mileage the donor vehicle had. If you have to replace, try to get one close in mileage.

 

[Kraze]

Have you tried putting the bulbs back in to see if that makes a difference? When something like this happens, I go back to square one and start over.

The "new to you" cluster will have whatever mileage the donor vehicle had. If you have to replace, try to get one close in mileage.

I don't have the original bulbs that I took out the first time around, but the bulbs that were last in there, that I know worked because I had them in for a couple weeks, are back in there now, and not working either.

And I thought that was going to be the case. Thanks!

Edit: If I do replace the instrument cluster, anyone know if there were any year/model differences in them? Or are they all the same for all 3rd gen 4runners? I'm guessing the Limited ones are different, and I probably need a 99-02 SR5 one from a manual transmission?

 

[rideexileex]

gauge clusters are 96-98 and then 99-02 which have the digital odometer. There's also the MT vs AT variety, and the AWD vs non-AWD variety (the little four wheel traction indicator in the middle), and the MPH vs KPH variety. Need to match up all those options

 

[rideexileex]

Do you have any of the center console taken apart too? If not all the switches plugged in, it can affect dash lighting if I remember correctly? Is it just the illumination/back lighting LED's that arent working? (IE the indicator bulbs still work?)

 

[Kraze]

Do you have any of the center console taken apart too? If not all the switches plugged in, it can affect dash lighting if I remember correctly? Is it just the illumination/back lighting LED's that arent working? (IE the indicator bulbs still work?)

Hmm, for almost all of the testing, I did have the center console unplugged, but saw some of the lights in there light up, like the ash tray light, so figured it was fine. For the last test I did, the whole center console portion was hooked back up though. That's interesting though, maybe I'll try switching the bulbs around again and testing with the center part all hooked up. And it is just the illumination/back lighting bulbs, my indicator bulbs are still working.

And thanks for the other info as well. Since they stopped making the manuals in 2000, I pretty much would have to find a 99-00, manual transmission instrument cluster--not an easy task haha.

 

[rideexileex]

Hmm, for almost all of the testing, I did have the center console unplugged, but saw some of the lights in there light up, like the ash tray light, so figured it was fine. For the last test I did, the whole center console portion was hooked back up though. That's interesting though, maybe I'll try switching the bulbs around again and testing with the center part all hooked up. And it is just the illumination/back lighting bulbs, my indicator bulbs are still working.

And thanks for the other info as well. Since they stopped making the manuals in 2000, I pretty much would have to find a 99-00, manual transmission instrument cluster--not an easy task haha.

Well, for another bit of info - I dont remember for sure, but I want to say that the cluster itself is made up of 3 different circuit boards inside? I'm not too sure how they all interconnect, and which board has the illumination control (and whether or not its the same on that has the mileage stored on it), but I do have an extra 2000 AT non-limited MPH cluster, except that the auto headlight feature doesnt work anymore, if you want to try and frankenstein the thing and yours back to working order.

keep us posted on reconnecting the center console - I think the reason for the LEDs not working is because its on the same circuit as the switch/button backlighting

 

[Kraze]

Well, for another bit of info - I dont remember for sure, but I want to say that the cluster itself is made up of 3 different circuit boards inside? I'm not too sure how they all interconnect, and which board has the illumination control (and whether or not its the same on that has the mileage stored on it), but I do have an extra 2000 AT non-limited MPH cluster, except that the auto headlight feature doesnt work anymore, if you want to try and frankenstein the thing and yours back to working order.

keep us posted on reconnecting the center console - I think the reason for the LEDs not working is because its on the same circuit as the switch/button backlighting

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind!

And I'm going to poke around in there again today, this time in the daylight, and I'll let everyone know what I figure out. Hopefully I can get everything back in working order!

 

[LittleCaesar]

It's the spiders that get ya every time (I will let this run its course by the end of the month). I have one in mine right now that is building a web by the gas pedal. I will try and post a pic this weekend.

Just from experience make sure the lights are securely in the connectors. Given that most of them are fitting more than just one size, they are not fit to exact spec.

 

[Kraze]

It's the spiders that get ya every time (I will let this run its course by the end of the month). I have one in mine right now that is building a web by the gas pedal. I will try and post a pic this weekend.

Just from experience make sure the lights are securely in the connectors. Given that most of them are fitting more than just one size, they are not fit to exact spec.

Lmao. I was waiting for you to come in here and say something about spiders!

But I have good, unexpected news. All of my lights are now working again. No clue why. I started it up to pull it into the garage a few minutes ago to start working on the whole issue again, and magically, all of the lights are on now. What a relief!

 

[OffRoadGuy]

Kraze - You're not alone. I'm going thru the same thing lol, I don't know what I did but everything works except for the dash lights. Checked all the fuse, double checked all the connection and still nothing. I'll try again tomorrow.

 

[Kraze]

Kraze - You're not alone. I'm going thru the same thing lol, I don't know what I did but everything works except for the dash lights. Checked all the fuse, double checked all the connection and still nothing. I'll try again tomorrow.

I just saw this post. Did you get yours figured out yet?

 

[OffRoadGuy]

I just saw this post. Did you get yours figured out yet?

Its been to HOT here lately. I don't work outside when its over 90'F, but I'm gonna check fuse box and dimming knob to see where I lost power. Plus I hate low voltage, the wires are so small.

 

[Kraze]

Its been to HOT here lately. I don't work outside when its over 90'F, but I'm gonna check fuse box and dimming knob to see where I lost power. Plus I hate low voltage, the wires are so small.

I hear ya on the hot part. This heat wave is brutal. I've been doing all the work on my 4runner late into the night to try and avoid it haha.

But yeah, check fuses, dimming knob, turn it left to right a couple times and check the other lights to make sure they dim and brighten with it, and just triple check all connections. I wish I could be more help, but I honestly don't know why mine started working again haha.

 

[OffRoadGuy]

I hear ya on the hot part. This heat wave is brutal. I've been doing all the work on my 4runner late into the night to try and avoid it haha.

But yeah, check fuses, dimming knob, turn it left to right a couple times and check the other lights to make sure they dim and brighten with it, and just triple check all connections. I wish I could be more help, but I honestly don't know why mine started working again haha.

If your started working again, that tells me you had a loose connection somewhere. Hit a bump and made contact again. Its good that yours is working again. I'm a good electrician, I'll figure it out. I'll see you on the trails.