WRITE UP: climate control and dash bulbs 2000 limited

[mikeferg]

so after this project the VSC off light and vsc trec light is on, it clears when you restart but comes back once you start moving, anyone had this issue?
2002 4runner, everything works just the lights come on while driving, I diconected the battery before unplugging the cluster

 

[ramonortiz55]

so after this project the VSC off light and vsc trec light is on, it clears when you restart but comes back once you start moving, anyone had this issue?
2002 4runner, everything works just the lights come on while driving, I diconected the battery before unplugging the cluster

I saw a post on here awhile back with a few others that had this same issue.

Turned out to either be the shifter indicator lights were bad or they needed to go back to OEM.

 

[mikeferg]

I saw a post on here awhile back with a few others that had this same issue.

Turned out to either be the shifter indicator lights were bad or they needed to go back to OEM.

figured it out, it was the shifter lights, it can't be anything else then oem lights,

all the other lights can be swapped to led, very weird

 

[xtremegirl4life]

VSC Lights on after replacing dashboard lights

I first want to say what a great original post and thread this is. I'm a 41 year old female and was able to use this thread in conjunction with another one to replace the lights in the instrument panel and climate control in a 2002 4Runner SR5 that my mom gave my daughter for her 16th birthday. I have encountered an issue though.

Since then the VSC OFF and VSC TRAC lights turn on after the vehicle starts moving and stays on. I checked the gas cap, just in case, but this is not the issue. When taking apart the panels to get to the instrument panel, I did disconnect the plug that goes to the VSC button on the lower left next to the lights dimmer. Not sure if this has something to do with it or not. From all of the forums I have read, I think my problem is that this now needs to be reset and is truly not a mechanical issue that is causing this. I found a DIY option for 4th generation 4Runners with the 4th and 13th pins to perform zero calibration and was curious if anyone knows if this would also work for 3rd generation 4Runners. Also open to any other suggestions as to how to possibly clear this without having to pay to take it to the dealership or mechanic.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Bringing another old thread up. Looking to change out my dash lights since half of them are burnt out.

Seems like people like the ones from Vleds better? I have a 98, so should be pretty easy, I've torn up the dash too many times to count. I don't want hot spots, as much as possible though.

 

[gamefreakgc]

A note for 98 SR5 owners:

We don't have a power outlet light, rather a non-replaceable cigarrette lighter bulb and housing. Pulled (shattered) the bulb out only to find there's no room. Oh well. I ordered a new one and will try painting the bulb itself blue to match the rest. Might want to update the chart.

Also our ECT button does not have a neo-wedge, rather a soldered in green light. This also needs to be updated if you can.

I had to de-solder the old green light, which wasn't too hard since the solder points were large, and then take apart the neo-wedge I'd bought and solder it in. Worked pretty well.

I noticed the superbrightleds.com #74 120* bulbs don't fit well in the connectors. I replaced my blinkers and ECT Power lights with blue but they are WAY bright... so I think I will take them out, cut off the top of the housing (did this on the key ring) and then point the LED to the side so I'm not blinded anymore!

Also, my #194 didn't work Now I have to wait to finish this one.

 

[Rock_Rat]

I first want to say what a great original post and thread this is. I'm a 41 year old female and was able to use this thread in conjunction with another one to replace the lights in the instrument panel and climate control in a 2002 4Runner SR5 that my mom gave my daughter for her 16th birthday. I have encountered an issue though.

Since then the VSC OFF and VSC TRAC lights turn on after the vehicle starts moving and stays on. I checked the gas cap, just in case, but this is not the issue. When taking apart the panels to get to the instrument panel, I did disconnect the plug that goes to the VSC button on the lower left next to the lights dimmer. Not sure if this has something to do with it or not. From all of the forums I have read, I think my problem is that this now needs to be reset and is truly not a mechanical issue that is causing this. I found a DIY option for 4th generation 4Runners with the 4th and 13th pins to perform zero calibration and was curious if anyone knows if this would also work for 3rd generation 4Runners. Also open to any other suggestions as to how to possibly clear this without having to pay to take it to the dealership or mechanic.

(Big assumption on my part here that you used LED bulbs.) Can't use LED bulbs in P-L on the combo meter with these years with VSC/TRAC. Go back to your original bulbs in the P-L and everything will be normal again.

Take a look at my thread on this subject: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/220998-vsc-trac-lights-no-cel-no-codes.html

 

[gamefreakgc]

Finished this a few nights ago. My final thoughts:

1. The LED's are too bright for dash lights such as the ECT Power, 4WD, etc if you drive at night and they are always on. I ended up bending one of the LED's down so it wasn't blinding me. The upside now is I never leave my blinkers on LOL.

2. White is awesome to use behind the gauges, by far the best improvement. Looks great.

3. I like the blue buttons and all that, turned out pretty good. Each year and model is different though so if you try to change them just be ready to improvise and a soldering kit is a must.

 

[JoshuaDudee]

Great post hopefully this will fix my light issues.. Seems like a loose wire though

 

[stever1000]

I forgot to ask... in the image below with reference to color...does this mean I need red LED's, or does it refer to the gauge color in the instrument cluster?

 

[tahoe22]

Locating the check engine light

Is there an easy way to identify which bulb it is that the check engine light relies on(2k 4 Runner Ltd)?

Thanks

 

[thenightman]

This thread was amazingly helpful in changing out two dead hvac bulbs. Next up my 4x4 indicator light. Thank you for such a useful thread! :cheers:

 

[4flyer]

Anybody have a hard time removing the screws that hold in the climate control? I have been trying to unscrew them with no luck. I am afraid to break the plastic around it. I think Toyota went nuts with the lock tight when they built my 4runner.

 

[spoiler900]

HELP

So my climate control dash lights were out like page 1, and I did exactly like it showed and replaced the 4 bulbs and now it works! So Happy!

Except....now the lights below the climate control (button for AUTO button for OUTSIDE TEMP, REAR DEFROST, those few buttons surrounding the rectangular climate control display now don't work!

Is it different bulbs or did I F*** up somehow?

 

[gamefreakgc]

HELP

So my climate control dash lights were out like page 1, and I did exactly like it showed and replaced the 4 bulbs and now it works! So Happy!

Except....now the lights below the climate control (button for AUTO button for OUTSIDE TEMP, REAR DEFROST, those few buttons surrounding the rectangular climate control display now don't work!

Is it different bulbs or did I F*** up somehow?

Did you replace the bulbs behind them with LEDs? Some LEDs need to be reversed to work, as in you take it out, turn it 180* and put it back in. I don't have the auto climate control (thankfully) so I cannot comment as to which bulbs light up which buttons.

Another cause might be that there's no actually bulb behind these buttons but rather light was directed in a way to shine through it. LED's can be directional, so if light is only shining one way and there's a dark spot, you won't see your buttons lit up anymore.

 

[spoiler900]

No i got regular bulbs from my local Toyota dealers. As mentioned, the climate control used to not light up and now does (I'm super happy) but the surrounding buttons don't work all the sudden...

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

No i got regular bulbs from my local Toyota dealers. As mentioned, the climate control used to not light up and now does (I'm super happy) but the surrounding buttons don't work all the sudden...

If you replaced all 4 bulbs in the CC it should work. The bulbs for the button backlights are a little smaller than the LCD bulbs. Those button backlights do come on when you turn the parking/headlights on which means they are hooked into the dimmer. Do your cluster gauges lit up? Don't put the dash all the way together when you check whether the bulbs are working

 

[spoiler900]

EVERYTHING WORKS except now the buttons surrounding the climate control at night. But now the actual climate control works when it didn't used to. I did replace the 4 bulbs as mentioned, do I need to re replace all 4 bulbs, or is 2 specifically for the climate control and 2 for the surrounding buttons?

 

[infantry503]

EVERYTHING WORKS except now the buttons surrounding the climate control at night. But now the actual climate control works when it didn't used to. I did replace the 4 bulbs as mentioned, do I need to re replace all 4 bulbs, or is 2 specifically for the climate control and 2 for the surrounding buttons?

I just did this to my 2000 4runner and I replaced all 4 bulbs. It works great, but you have to make sure you plug everything back in and the bulbs aren't reversed like what was mentioned earlier. My display isn't as bright as I want it to be but it works and that's all I care about.

 

[bruised]

Just finished installing new gauge and hvac lights. Big thanks to the OP for the guide, definitely simplified things. Went with all red.