gauges have no light, fixed problem Options

[toyota123]

So after a few months of browsing through this wonderful forum, while searching for my car, I got a 97 GT Hatch. So I have been getting it back on the road. New struts and brakes all the way around and was installing a new set of reverse glow gauges. Anyway I got the new gauges working correctly but now I have no lights for the needles. After searching I found that all the other lights work door adjar seatbelt etc but no needles even after installing some LEDs that I got from AutoZone. Am I up a creek? Do I need to go to a junk yard and get a new cluster than switch over the Speedo so mileage is still accurate. Any help will greatly appreciated also.I checked all fuses and everything else appears to be functioning correctly

This post has been edited by toyota123: Jul 20, 2012 - 8:05 AM

[Nihil]

Needles an gauge cluster lights have the same source of light. There are three T10 (W5W, 194) light bulbs, along with ten or so smaller light bulbs (T5). If you replaced or just checked them, you should mind the polarity. Also, if you did this without cutting the battery off, there is possibility that you short-circuited something. If I remember correctly, these light bulbs have fusees in that paper circuit board. Fuses are made as a narrowed (depleted) copper channel that runs from light bulb to the connector pins.

So I suggest you this: carefully take out instrument panel, do not unplug it, but make sure you do not short circuit anything. Then just take out the big (T10) light bulb holders, and put them back in the other way. Check, by turning on the lights, and repeat with other light bulbs.
If this doesn't work, then unplug the instrument panel and see if any of the copper channels are blown, you can bypass/bridge this by soldering a short wire to the gap, or you can simply get another circuit board from the junk yard... Just make sure you get the correct circuit board, as they can differ EU/US/JAP or ST/GT4.

[toyota123]

Yeah j probably shorted something out forgot to in plug battery when I tapped the green wire for glow gauges. Local Junkyard has one ill be getting today ..... Can I just swap spedo or do I have.to roll back odometer and if soo is there a how to on that?

[Nihil]

If everything is exactly the same, I'd suggest that you replace just the circuit. Remove all the bulbs, unscrew everything and it should come right off. This way you keep the milage reading and clusters/gauges exactly the same.

Then just put all the bulbs back in and test each and every one. Except for the fuel level indicator, this should be rather easy.

This post has been edited by Nihil: Jul 19, 2012 - 10:58 AM

[toyota123]

Well I just got back from the JY and decided to test somethin I just installed the new cluster and I get the same result all the indicators work but for what ever reason the gauge lights just won't come on ..... It's not horrible with the indiglo gauges I can still see the needles because of the light they produce but its not what I want lol.... Must be something in the wires I know I have power to the new gauges or they wouldn't work no idea where to start though

[Nihil]

Ok, one thing: when you turn on the lights, do you have the dimmer connected? Cluster lights will not turn on if you have the dimmer disconected.

Had the same problem when I was converting my dash to LEDs....

This post has been edited by Nihil: Jul 19, 2012 - 12:29 PM

[toyota123]

No I didn't have it hooked up I got big hand and its a tight fit I will re try other cluster with dimmer when j get home from
work ..... Thanks for the tip. I didn't gave it hooked with the new one I did however try with the old

This post has been edited by toyota123: Jul 19, 2012 - 1:14 PM

[toyota123]

So I plugged the new leds in and hook the dimmer switch to the new cluster and now I have needles again. Thank you for pointing out this no Brainer for me .... Some time we all need someone to tell us to check the little stuff

[toyota123]

[homebuilder]

That looks amazing. Where did you get those gauges? How much?

[toyota123]

EBay total cost was about $100 gauges around 40 $20 worth of led bulbs from AutoZone and another 40 for another instrument cluster from junkyard cause I forgot to disconnect batter when I spliced into the green wire. I don't have the posting anymore but they are black during the day like the stock ones and I put in red led for the needles to make it pop

[homebuilder]

Thanks! Can you give me the name of the gauges to look for on ebay? the manufacturer or seller or anything?

Would love to get that set up.

[toyota123]

These are the ones I got. Black during the day like stock instead of white like most.

Indiglo Gauges



This post has been edited by toyota123: Jul 25, 2012 - 10:16 PM