Hello, planning to replace burnt out bulbs in the instrument cluster and center console. After going through many posts and YouTube videos i think I have correct info. Could someone confirm the following:

center console- T4.2


radio-T1 (direct solder)


instrument clusters -T5 and T10

I am planning to use regular non-LED bulbs and just reuse color sleeves from the original bulbs.

thank you

 

I believe there are a couple of T10's in the instrument cluster if my memory serves me. I used green LED'S and is one of the best improvements I have made to the car. There us a good video online about this conversion.

 

Yes, there is a very good video on the LED replacement for the gauges but it doesn't cover radio bulbs unfortunately.


I was planning to stay with the original look, good to hear your feedback, I may reconsider.

 

If you do decide to go to LED's, buy good ones as the cheapos don't last . I bought LASFIT
and found them to be of excellent quality. You can avoid doing it twice like I did!

 

So everything is apart.

Air conditioning:
JLM20309 / JLM20308 green / blue sleeves (black base)
3.5mm diameter, 7.7mm length
LNA5180CA blue sleeves (brown base)
3.9mm diameter, 9mm length
Both are removable from the base with no solder, base could be reused

Control console:
LNA5180BA and CA blue sleeve (blue base) / white sleeve (black base)
3.7mm diameter, 10mm length
Both are removable from the base have to be de-soldered, base could be reused

Radio:
LCD light: no base, 2.6mm diameter 5.5mm length
All other black base, 2,6mm diameter, 4mm length
Left to right LCD light, all other with base removed, all other with base in place



I am planing to find bulbs that are close to these dimensions and reuse old wedge type base which should make it fairly inexpensive.

 

I used these:









they look stock tone to me, just brighter. Plus the polarity is marked, so no polarity testing or re-do’s needed. I got them from Amazon.

Z

 

Thank you, this is great info !!! Did you replace the center console and radio bulbs by any chance? I am struggling to find a match, planning to get a bunch of different ones and see which ones fit.

Thank you,

 

zray, I see from the pictures that you have 173,000 miles. Cool.

 

Thank you !

that photo was taken last year. I’m up to 181,830 as of last night. Hopefully this summer I can get over the 200,000 mark. The car has been the most reliable used car I’ve ever owned. I purchased it about 5.5 years ago. At that time it had 116,000 on it.

it’s my daily driver.


Z

 

That is indeed a bright instrument panel with the LED replacement bulbs installed. I have replaced several burned-out factory dashboard bulbs in the past few years (37 and 194 sizes), but I have stuck with the normal incandescent versions from my local NAPA store. Works for me....

 

Here are mine with LAUSFIT green LEDs. Didnt do odometer as the washes out.

 

I use the dimmer function to get the illumination where I like it. Of course, the lights are on a set level without the headlights turned on (2002 XKR).so the photo posted is indeed brighter than my usual setting.

Z

 

I found I could not read the instruments in the nestles with sunglasses on, which is most of the time where I live. I can see them now.

 

I was wondering if the LEDs worked with the dimmer. I have a couple dead bulbs in the cluster and the HVAC and system but have not replaced them yet. I wanted to go LED, but I drive with rhe bulbs fairly dim since I feel that bright bulbs in the cabin cause my vision wash out. I had cataract surgery a couple years ago.

 

Gian, are you still in your late 20s, maybe early 30s? Never heard of cataract surgery on someone so young. I assume it is genetic in your family....

 

The LED’s I purchased so indeed work with the dimmer, photo of them in previous post. The type I bought were the clear bulbs

Z

 

I am still 29. The big 30 is looming around the corner in September. Is it true that once you become 30 you automatically suffer from chronic back pain? Hahaha

I developed a cataract in my left eye due to a blunt force hit to that eye when I was a judo athlete. I developed that cataract when I was 22 y/o and had it removed when I was 27.

Perfect! Thanks, now I know what to bulbs to buy.

 

Glad to hear that the cataract surgery resolved your issue. Wearing sports goggles during contact sports that do not require a helmet is a good idea....

 

I ended up using 8640 and 7219 bulbs. AC control module had a couple of burned out bulbs so I replaced ALL bulbs with 8640. They are slightly larger than original but fit into the bases used with the original bulbs. Fog lights / traction control module had no burned out bubs so I left it alone. For the radio I used 7219 which are slightly longer than the originals so I did not reuse black plastic bases, just soldered it directly to the board. For the cruise control and sports mode switches I used 8640. Original bases where pretty much shot and just crumbled in my hands so I soldered it irectly to the boards. Was able to reuse all plastic sleeves for all bulbs as the diameter is pretty close to the original. Cigarette lighter bulb is not burned out so I just let it alone.

I ordered used convertible top switch and will try to replace a bulb in there as well, mine does not illuminate. Debating if I should take J-gate apart, it illuminates but I think one of the bulbs may be out, not sure how much of a hassle it is.

Will post pictures once I have it all back together.

 

Yes it is a good idea, but I was young and naïve at the time. Now, I would definitely wear the goggles and a mouthguard if I were to do judo again.