rickb20us

'99 RL - 58,XXX miles.

The dash light behind the fuel gauge went out this afternoon. I guess, regardless of the miles, the bulb is still 8 years old. Anyone replaced their dash lights? I'm thinking this is one of those "while you're in there" jobs. While I'm in there I may as well replace all the dash bulbs so that I don't have another go out soon.

Anyone know of a "how-to" anywhere on the web?

Thanks,
Rick

WtaggiN

Ive been saying this for a while but I actually think I am going to get to it today. I am going to be ordering my bulbs for an 02. They will be white LEDs to replace the stock amber bulbs in instrument panel. I will make a DIY for that, but I am not 100% sure if the setup between a 99 and 02 are the same. It will probably be next week before the bulbs get here...

I may be able to make a DIY when I go in to check the bulbs, which I am going to do tomorrow just to make sure I have the right amount ordered....

rickb20us

WtaggiN,

I would be very interested in seeing a DIY if you get this done.

Thanks,
Rick

mbaccp

Rick,
I have the same problem on my son's 1997 RL, except three of the 10 bulbs are out. I took it to the dealer and was told by the service writer that it would cost about $180.00 for the bulbs and about $180.00 for labor to replace all of the bulbs. However, he also told me that the service technicians often damage the circuit board that the bulbs are mounted on, and if the board is damaged I would have to pay for it to be replaced at a cost of around $1000.00!!! So he recommended driving around without a lighted dash.

Sounds like Acura won't stand behind their design or service.

Let me know if you find another way to get the bulbs replaced.

Carl

WtaggiN

So there are 10 total bulbs behind the gauges? That would help a lot if that was a definite answer. I am sure I could call Acura and ask them, I may do that today if I don't hear back from you...

mbaccp

I was told that there were 10 bulbs and they each cost $18.00 (Probably could get them at the auto parts store for $1.00 each, but you know how Acura marks ups prices on parts!).

Carl

GSARL

YES, THERE ARE 10 BULBS THOSE ARE FOR THE FOR THE NUMBERS ON THE TAC, RPMs AND SPEEDO, PARK, REVESE, GAS, ETC... THEY CAN BE REPLACED WITH # 74 BULB OR SILVANIA MAKES A BULB THAT FITS # 24 BULB BUT THEY ONLY COME IN WHITE OR AMBER. I KNOW FOR SURE CAUSE I HAVE DONE IT MYSELF.
NOTE: BE SUPER CAREFUL WHEN TAKING APART THE CLUSTER YOU NEED TO REMOVE 20 INNER SCREWS TO GET TO THOSE BULBS AND THOSE SCREWS ARE VERY DELICATE AND BE SURE NOT TO OVER TIGHTEN THEM AND BE SURE TO PUT THEM BACK IN THE RIGHT PLACE, AS SOME OF THEM ARE DIFFERENT THAN OTHERS.IF YOU LOOK VERY CLOSELY THERE IS A LITTLE DIAGRAM ON THE INSIDE NEAR THE SCREWS SHOWING WHERE THEY GO.

rickb20us

GSARL,

Which of these LED's would work? The ones with or without the base?

http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/74_t15.htm

rickb20us

GSARL,

Which of these LED's would work? The ones with or without the base?

http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/74_t15.htm

Also scroll down a little over halfway and look at these three variations:

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b....11752&next=50

WtaggiN

This question has come up before. I believe GSARL actually helped me on the last post to try and figure out which bulbs to use. Do not use the T 1.5 bulbs, I had those in my Lexus and they are definetly nowhere close to a #74 fitment. I was under the impression that the WLED 5-LED Wide Angle LED Bulb would work best. It is a 194/168 type bulb but is made with 5-LEDs that are angled in different directions for a brighter, wider glow. Looking back on the post, I believe that 194/168 replacements are not for the instrument panel...

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3672

That is the original post.

GSARL mentioned he matched up a #24 bulb at Autozone in a PM that I have, as well...hope any of that information helps.

GSARL

The ones with the base will work,inside the cluster the those factory bulbs have the same base on them so all you need to do is take the old one out and put in the new one .The new base will be exactly the same as the old one. note: I replaced mine with the same # 74 bulb in blue but for some reason it did'nt light up the cluster properly,I think cause the led bulbs throws the light in a straight beam rather than 360 degrees and also those little leds are'nt bright enough, If your going to put white/clear or amber , I would recommend using the silvania # 24 bulb there much brighter than those # 74 leds believe it or not . I really wanted my cluster to light up blue and those blue # 74 bulbs just did'nt work out , my friend is actually modifying my cluster now he,s somehow making 3 blue leds fit in each base,this kids real good he does a lot of fabrication work and is excellent with electrical work,I,m also having my gauges done in white ,not an easy task but working out well so far anyway thats another story. I hope this information was a little helpful and good luck let me know how it turns out

rickb20us

I was under the impression that LED's would not function properly in relation to the dimmer switch. Anyone know of a way to get around this?

GSARL

I,m Just Wondering ,what Color Bulbs Are You Planning To Use

WtaggiN

The reason the blue LEDs didnt light it up properly was probably because you have a 1 LED bulb. I think if you got the 5LED bulb that actually lights up in different angles, rather than just a straight shot, you should be all set. I am going to purchase 10 of the WLED-5 from superbrightleds.com and see how that turns out. I am going for a more clean, modern, stock look rather than getting a blue or colored bulb. I am going to stick to white and make it look like the newer models. White and blue shouldn't be too hard in finding a bulb that will light up the gauges enough. I put red ones, and they were single LEDs, and they worked perfectly(8 bulbs in a lexus compared to the 10 in the RL.)

The dimmer never worked for me, it would pretty much be On, Off, or slightly dimmed, but never seemed to gradually dim like the stock ones. I get paid this Friday and plan on getting this project done by next week. I am definetly going to make a DYI on this.

GSARL, if you used the 5LED bulbs, please let me know. It comes to ~40 shipped, and don't want to waste the money on the bulbs if they do not light the cluster up properly. I don't see why this should be an issue, considering I used the T1.5 red leds and they worked fine, I would imagine white would be considerably brighter than red. Let me know though. Thanks.

GSARL

How Are The 5 Led Bulbs Going To Fit Through That Tiny Little Hole Where The Stock Bulbs Were?

rickb20us

WtaggiN said, Any progress?