Tachometer Backlight Out

[vSolara]

Hello! Its not a big deal or anything, but the right side of my tachometer doesnt light up at night (01 solara). I'm assuming it's a bulb that needs to be replaced. Does anyone know how much it is going to cost to get it fixed? Is it just like a $30 repair that is done at my dealership?

Thanks!

[Kenz]

You can replace it yourself. The only tool you need is a short philips screwdriver. The bulb is #194 to replace the burned out one.

Some of the screws are in kind of tight, and you have to take the gauge pod out. Its easy though.

[vSolara]

Okay, cool, thanks for your reply. It probably is a really easy fix I could do, but I'm still pretty scared about trying to fix. Besides, there is no way my dad would let me start unscrewing things from our/my car!

Does anyone know a ballpark estimate of how much this is going to cost to get fixed? Is this just a quick $30 repair, or is this a complex $100 repair?

[SleeperSolara]

Okay, cool, thanks for your reply. It probably is a really easy fix I could do, but I'm still pretty scared about trying to fix. Besides, there is no way my dad would let me start unscrewing things from our/my car!

Does anyone know a ballpark estimate of how much this is going to cost to get fixed? Is this just a quick $30 repair, or is this a complex $100 repair?

Man it's not worth takin' to the dealership to get it fixed when you can do it yourself.
Just a couple of screws and the whole cluster comes out and a twist of the right bulb holder [if the cluster is facin' you or the left of you're lookin' on the back side] and you take the bulb out and put the new one in and reverse install.

[lilm]

im sure the dealer would be happy to charge you a hundred dollar test fee and then a hour labor and then get you one of those super blinker fluid fuild bulbs..........



or you could buy a 99 cent bulb and it would take you about 5-10 mins.

All the insturctions will be here on solaraguy.....

[Dawgz]

whats the bulb number for the light behind the fuel gauge?

[vSolara]

All the insturctions will be here on solaraguy.....

Where? Lol, are there instructions on the internet? Hmmmmm, I'm thinking about doing this, but maybe someone could point me in the right direction or explain more in-depth how to do this. I've never worked on cars before, so I'm kinda doubting my ability.

Thanks!

[Chinky420]

goto the gen 1 tutorial area...there was an extensive write up on how to modify your gauge lights (bascially, change them to LEDs), but in this case, it would still basically apply.

the tutorial that is listed will have additional instructions on howto solder new lights (LEDs) into the existing setup....you don't need that part, just the part about taking apart the gauge cluster

if your dad is in doubt, show him the instructions, and maybe he'll be down to work on it with you...just remember to tell your pops, for every part i unscrew, all i have to do to fix it is to rescrew it in.

and don't loose the screws!

[Kenz]

Here is exactly how I did it...

First tilt the steering wheel all the way down. If you look above the gauges you will see two screws. You need a shorter Phillips screwdriver to remove these two screws. After they are out, the entire black trim ring around the gauges will come out. You have to kind of pry and wiggle it out, its a tight fit. You really have to work on it to get it out, try to pull it back towards yourself.
After you get it off and remove it you will see four screws holding in the gauge pod. Take all four of them out. After they are out, pull the gauge cluster back a bit. Then tilt it a bit and angle it right to take it out.

Three connectors go to thae gauge pod, you will see or feel a little button/clip in the middle, press that clip and you can pull the connectors out. Don't worry disconnecting it wont reset anything or cause any problems.
Once you disconnect the wires you can take the entire pod out and replae the burned out bulb.

You will see the little twist connectors to take out the bulb that is burned out.


Even if you haven't worked on cars at all, its not hard. Just take your time.

When you do the job yourself it makes it a very rewarding fix. Its a nice easy project for your new car.

[Jon11582]

If your still afraid to DIY, then it should only be about 15 minutes of labor (unscrewing 6 screws and unplugging three plugs.) and a $1 part. (As everyone else said, a 194 bulb). A mechanic should charge accordingly. At a non-dealership mechanic, it should cost $20-$30. ($80/hr is the going mechanic labor rate around here, it varies by region).

[Dawgz]

is it a #94 bulb for the gas bulb as well? the one for the gas Gauge?

[Jon11582]

The cluster is backlit by a total of 5 #194 bulbs. One by the temp needle, one by the gas needle, one on the speedometer to the left of the odometer, right of the odometer, and one to the right of the tach.

[Dawgz]

Cool, thanx.

[AChumacher]

i had the exact same problem and i just changed mine. it's easier than u think.

1. unscrew the 2 top screws holding the plastic gauge cover.
2. pull out the gauge cover from the right side first.
3. unscrew the 4 screws holding in the gauge cluster.
4. tilt the gauge cluster up and slide it out but not too far because it is still connected to the wires.
5. on the right side you'll see a green knob that holds the light bulb. twist that and pull it out.
6. change the bulb. then put everything back.

it took me 20 minutes and all i needed was a phillips head screwdriver.

[vSolara]

Cool, thanks a lot for the inspiration! I'm ready to do the repair, but I really dont think my dad is gonna let me... Reason is, my brother really messed up his doors on his Camry when he was trying to fix the speakers. I mean he lost half the screws, lol.