HOW TO: Put LED Bulbs in Gauge Cluster

[vorcatec]

I have had a few people ask me about putting LEDs behind the gauge cluster and I think there is a tutorial on here already, but I went ahead and made another one. Enjoy!


Items Needed for Installation
- 1 Short Philips Head Screwdriver
- 1 Long Philips Head Screwdriver
- 1 Magnet Stick (Optional)
- 5 194 LED Bulbs of Your Choice (http://www.autolumination.com


HOW TO INSTALL LED BULBS IN YOUR GAUGE CLUSTER
http://www.eastcoastelementz.com/G1.jpg

Step 1:
The first thing you want to do is tilt your steering wheel down as low as it will go so when you pull out your gauge cluster, you don't get it hung up on the steering wheel. After you do that, you want to remove the two philips screws with a short screwdriver in the top of the black plastic housing.
http://www.eastcoastelementz.com/G2.jpg


Step 2:
Next, you want to pull out the black housing piece but not all the way. On the bottom left side on the back of the housing, there is a set of cables going into your dimmer switch. You want to push down on the clip on the top of it and pull it out of the dimmer switch. Then you can safely remove the plastic housing.
http://www.eastcoastelementz.com/G3.jpg


Step 3:
Now you will see 4 (four) philips screws in all four corners of the gauge cluster. Using a long philips head screwdriver, remove all four screws and be sure not to drop them. If you do drop them, they will more than likely fall onto the plate above your brake and gas pedal.
http://www.eastcoastelementz.com/G4.jpg


Step 4:
Once you take all the screws out, pull the gauge cluster out and tilt it back a little bit so you can wiggle it out. Don't try to yank it out because there are two sets of wires connected on the back on each side of the cluster. You need to press down on the clips on each set of cables and pull them out of the cluster.
http://www.eastcoastelementz.com/G6.jpg


Step 5:
Now that you have removed your gauge cluster, flip it over and you will see 5 (five) gray bulb holders. Just twist each one to the left (counetr clockwise) and pull them each out. Then you can pull the bulbs from the holders, and replace them with the 194 LED bulbs you have.
http://www.eastcoastelementz.com/G7.jpg
http://www.eastcoastelementz.com/G8.jpg


Step 6:
You need to sort of wiggle the LEDs back into the holes and then twist then to the right (clockwise) so they fit nice and snug. Now that you have done this, you can put the gauge cluster back in the dash. Make sure you grab the wire that you took from the dimmer switch and keep it under the gauge cluster so you don't drop it behind it.
http://www.eastcoastelementz.com/G9.jpg


Step 7:
Go ahead and plug the wires into each side of the back of the cluster back in, and then screw the gauge cluster back into the dash. Then, plug in the wires back into the dimmer switch and screw that back in. And you should have a nicely lit up gauge cluster.
http://www.eastcoastelementz.com/gauge.jpg


IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS LET ME KNOW. SORRY IF THIS IS CONFUSING TO ANYONE, BUT I WILL TRY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS OR EXPLAIN SOMETHING MORE CLEARLY IF YOU NEED ME TO.

[bmxmike]

Post some before and after so we can see the big difference!

[vorcatec]

I don't exactly have a before shot since I have already done this. I just made this tutorial after the fact lol. But all you need to do is turn your lights on and see what your stocks look like, then look at mine ;)

[deejunx]

where can i buy the LED bulbs for the gauges? Can I install this on my stock cluster? thanks

[n3oAcid24]

where can i buy the LED bulbs for the gauges? Can I install this on my stock cluster? thanks

i got my LED's from www.speedhut.com. they have i think 3 different colors.

[Sleepervr-4]

Looks good :wink: think I might give it a try

[dronesurfboards]

I just did this about 10 minutes ago....real simple. Only thing...my lights are hella dim, i turned it up all the way and its worse than before. I just bought those pilot led's at pep boys. not sure if its the brand or what not.

[outspoken]

I just did this about 10 minutes ago....real simple. Only thing...my lights are hella dim, i turned it up all the way and its worse than before. I just bought those pilot led's at pep boys. not sure if its the brand or what not.

you need ultabright leds, there is a big difference. if you paid less than a dollar each you got the wrong ones, ultrabrights are about $2-3 each. depending on size, coloration and where/how many you buy of course.

[cdipier2]

i want to do this one :D

we can just get these from any automotive store right?

[n3oAcid24]

i want to do this one :D

we can just get these from any automotive store right?

yea... or ebay if you want something a little brighter and stuff. i got mine from speedhut. all bright and stuff.

[cdipier2]

i want to do this one :D

we can just get these from any automotive store right?

yea... or ebay if you want something a little brighter and stuff. i got mine from speedhut. all bright and stuff.

how much u spend at speedhut neo?

[Bezzle]

Just an FYI.

For 7Gers, theres those 2 vertical screws, pull out the bezel, then 4 screws on each corner and we have no harness behind.

[run1206]

hmm...thinking about getting new bulbs for my gauges, how much for the speedhut LEDs neo?

[Divinity]

http://www.speedhut.com/product_detail.asp?AUTO_NUMBER=396

About $20 shipped if you get these

[run1206]

http://www.speedhut.com/product_detail.asp?AUTO_NUMBER=396

About $20 shipped if you get these

kool, thanks divinity!!

[darkbane]

I work at an auto parts store and we actually have these direct replacement LEDs on the shelf occasionally. I haven't seen them in 194 I don't think (usually its 1157 and other big bulbs, tail light sized) but I'll look it up in the computer tomorrow and see if we can order them.

[99 galant]

this is a big help even if i dont do leds becuz i think a light is dieing bhind my gas and water temp side

[99 galant]

i ended up using a regular blue bulb today, not as bright but still looks nice

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb320/99_galant/Picture030.jpg

[pakisouljah]

will these bulbs work for the inside of a 1999 galant?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/6-x-SUPER-BLUE-12V-5-LED-WEDGE-BASE-BULB-T10-194-168_W0QQitemZ120147316132QQihZ002QQcategoryZ33713Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

please let me kno, thanks!

[PimpCode323]

thanks man ima use this tut

[jwright09]

this looks tight. has anyone done this with the white-faced GTZ guages? I think it will look sweet when i do it this weekend. :D

[lonestar22]

how many 194 bulbs are in the a/c?

[pakisouljah]

i just got my 194 LEDS today...about to do it later on, hopefully comes out nice

[vorcatecIZback]

Those regular blue bulbs or other colored bulbs start to go bad pretty quickly. In a few months, you can take them out and most of the blue will be burned off the bulb. LED is definitely the way to go.

[jwright09]

Guys! I need some help...I got the L.E.D.'s from speedhut. the same link that was posted here earlier. Anyway, I did the install and everything went smoothly. But, I turn on my lights, dimmer up all the way and half of them are not working! Not only that, the ones that do work are by no means High-Bright like they say they are. I can barely see anything besides the needles. Is it possible to put these in backwards or anything? suggestions?

[Frankv]

yeah you'll probably have to turn them around. i had purchased sum leds @ a local auto shop but they werent as bright as i would liked for them to be so i just put the stock ones back on. till i find sum brighter ones.

[6G72Galant]

Guys! I need some help...I got the L.E.D.'s from speedhut. the same link that was posted here earlier. Anyway, I did the install and everything went smoothly. But, I turn on my lights, dimmer up all the way and half of them are not working! Not only that, the ones that do work are by no means High-Bright like they say they are. I can barely see anything besides the needles. Is it possible to put these in backwards or anything? suggestions?

Thats because you didnt order the ones that were the brightest. You skimped on the price, therefore expect skimpy quality. I too skimped on the price when i ordered my LED bulbs from Auto Illumination, and they were not nearly as bright as they shouldve been. I had to order 3 more bulbs that were slightly brighter but nowhere near as the ones Voratec has.

http://superlumination.com/images/auto_bulbs/194_matrix_w_wm.jpg

Thats what Voratec ordered.

http://superlumination.com/images/auto_bulbs/194f_w_wm.jpg

Thats what i first ordered and they were not bright at all.

http://superlumination.com/images/auto_bulbs/194_o_w_wm.jpg

Heres what i ordered the second time. I ordered 3 of these. And it aint bright the way id like them to be. Ill be ordering brighter bulbs soon. :wink:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/6g72galant/DSC02345.jpg
Heres a pic of mines now. As you can see, there nowhere near as bright as Voratecs.

[skyhigh90210]

I put cool white leds in mine and I ended up with this
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g140/skyhigh90210/S8001838.jpg

[jwright09]

thanks, i got them all working but yeah they're just not bright enough. New bulbs are on the way, thanks man.

(this time im getting the ones vorcatec got, not taking any chances)

[Rambo819]

are the LED's from speedhut bright enough to use?

[Jasmine]

Awesome, I pulled it out the other night to have a look to see if I'd be able to do it myself, figured I can, and have now ordered some LEDs from autoillumination. Wish me luck!

[CrabMan]

Nice. This will be my next mod!

[sdcounty619]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e292/nunez858/l_7ad584b3533cd47912ea2e153a9134eb.jpg
I did this months ago heres my pic!

[PlusMinuS]

Just ordered some of the 5 led UV bulbs. I'll post pics once I get em.

[kylecanthurdle]

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d65/XCdakotaSTRAT828/100_0765.jpg
awsome tutorial, did mine in about ten min thanks to you!!....looks pretty good...i got the little leds from honk kong with the 5 little things on them.....pretty bright...not complainin!

thanks again!
~bev

[agentbob]

I just did this earlier today since one of my bulbs was out anyways. First pic is stock and second are the 5way leds I got from superbrightleds.com

Before:

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/166/beforeledkz1.jpg

After:

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/1610/afterledpr4.jpg

[RAZ_76]

Looks good, What kind of leds did you use?

[01galant01]

Looks good, What kind of leds did you use?


First pic is stock and second are the 5way leds I got from superbrightleds.com

[agentbob]

http://superbrightleds.com/mini-wedge.html

The one's I got are listed as WLED-x5 LED Wedge Base Bulbs

http://superbrightleds.com/jpgs/wled-w5_cool.jpg

[acitydweller]

Is everyone happy with the led hotspots in their dash?

LED bulbs are directional so they shoot out light in one spot of the dash... I dont know about you guys but it doesnt seem like a perfect solution even though it may be brighter than stock (in some areas of the dash)...

[djflex167]

so which ones are the best ones?

[djflex167]

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s168/praco167/P1160088.jpg
This is how mines look!!

[02redgalant]

wow nice it actually looks like a bmw speedometer, is that white face?

[BGR]

Is everyone happy with the led hotspots in their dash?

LED bulbs are directional so they shoot out light in one spot of the dash... I dont know about you guys but it doesnt seem like a perfect solution even though it may be brighter than stock (in some areas of the dash)...

I put LED's in mine last month and it sucks ass. I bought the hyperwhite and they're frickin blue. So, I put the "blue" LED's on the side, and for the middle I used Red LED. :roll:

I think I'll order another SpeedHut EL guage control thing and put my EL Gauges back in.

[BGR]

http://superbrightleds.com/mini-wedge.html

The one's I got are listed as WLED-x5 LED Wedge Base Bulbs

http://superbrightleds.com/jpgs/wled-w5_cool.jpg

I thought about getting those but wasn't sure if they would fit, so I stuck with what I thought would be safer. I was pretty pissed that the dude I bought them from charged me $4.95 shipping per 2 pack. It's was something like $14.+ for shipping and it came in one package.

[djflex167]

wow nice it actually looks like a bmw speedometer, is that white face?
yeah, its a GTZ it comes with white face, but light up super red at night!! looks like the STi cluster at night!! pretty cool!

[BGR]

Ass
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e134/BishopLord/TGC/01-23-08_1736.jpg
Red LED in the center. Blue LED's on the side.

[QnzMostWanted]

is that ur cruise light on?

[BGR]

is that ur cruise light on?
Yep. And the fog light indicator on the left.

[RAZ_76]

Thats why I'm not so sure about leds because the light is not evenly distributed and looks like patches of light, bright in one spot and dim in other.

[djflex167]

Thats why I'm not so sure about leds because the light is not evenly distributed and looks like patches of light, bright in one spot and dim in other.
as you can see i have red leds and mines looks bright all the way

[RAZ_76]

^^^I want what you have then :lol:, Pm me with info on your leds and what other colors they have. Thanx

[djflex167]

^^^I want what you have then :lol:, Pm me with info on your leds and what other colors they have. Thanx
ight let me find out for you, i'll hit you up when done!

[dronesurfboards]

Redid my gauge cluster and switched out the normal 5 led with the SMT 5 led bulbs and they are 10x better. No hot spots.

These are the ones I got
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a331/dronesurfboards/194smt_w_wm.jpg

Here it is on my car...sorry for the crappy phone pic
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a331/dronesurfboards/IMG_0187.jpg

Also for anyone who is planning on changing the dome light, I measured the bulb from end to end and its 44mm. just buy the ones in autolumination that are the rigid loop style.

[hellk4t]

Pretty sick, might give this one a go.

[beam514]

seems like anyone with the 02-03 gauges isn't as prone to getting the hot spots?

[hellk4t]

[QUOTE=dronesurfboards;344057]Redid my gauge cluster and switched out the normal 5 led with the SMT 5 led bulbs and they are 10x better. No hot spots.

These are the ones I got
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a331/dronesurfboards/194smt_w_wm.jpg

Can you link that? I've read this topic like 3 times and still don't know which ones are the absolute best...what did vorcatec use?

[spdracr]

[QUOTE=dronesurfboards;344057]Redid my gauge cluster and switched out the normal 5 led with the SMT 5 led bulbs and they are 10x better. No hot spots.

These are the ones I got
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a331/dronesurfboards/194smt_w_wm.jpg

Can you link that? I've read this topic like 3 times and still don't know which ones are the absolute best...what did vorcatec use?

http://autolumination.com/194.htm

this is the page with all styles of 194 bulbs

[hellk4t]

Thanks speed, gonna work on grabbing 5 of those badboys.
Also, does anyone know if the AC cluster uses the same bulbs? Im gonna do the same thing there as well.

[momo21]

ok just to make sure these bulbs fit for ALL galants?

i got a '94

[spdracr]

Thanks speed, gonna work on grabbing 5 of those badboys.
Also, does anyone know if the AC cluster uses the same bulbs? Im gonna do the same thing there as well.

actually i was wondering the same thing, i couldnt get the knobs off so im assuming that the cover around comes off, but if u have a haynes manual which i havent bought yet it should tell u but i think they use smaller ones something like 86 or 92 along the line

[hellk4t]

actually i was wondering the same thing, i couldnt get the knobs off so im assuming that the cover around comes off, but if u have a haynes manual which i havent bought yet it should tell u but i think they use smaller ones something like 86 or 92 along the line

Hmm okay, when I dig into my dash I'll let you know what I find. For some reason I have a hunch its the same bulbs, just uses less.

[Bbrotha]

AC bulbs are 74, just like the ones for the odo light and ashtray, with the blue "condom"....

[hellk4t]

AC bulbs are 74, just like the ones for the odo light and ashtray, with the blue "condom"....

Thank you very much :)

[momo21]

so i buy 5 bulbs... and i then find out that my car, 94, needs 4.... i put them today during the day and i just went out for a ride and it sucks. I mean in the middle, from 70mph to 140 its white. When i put it on D, the green square doesnt appear... lol.. how gheto. any ideas? anyone know what is the reference for the little bulbs? Anyone with 7g's have any info?

[Bezzle]

I haven't looked at the back of my cluster in a while but this tutorial is 8G. I believe 7G needs 94 bulbs[x4?] and 1774 bulbs [x2?]. Im not 100% on the quantity but I do know its 2 different size bulbs needed or else you'll have a mix of the bulbs you put in + the stock halogens bulbs.

[momo21]

could u find out for me... i dont like leaving things half done... :( so if possible help me out...

[GregA]

I just did this with the same bulbs Voratec used, but I used red ones. Very slick.

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/5286/img0015cl4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9885/img0014fr5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[spdracr]

I just did this with the same bulbs Voratec used, but I used red ones. Very slick.

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/5286/img0015cl4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9885/img0014fr5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

ur RPM gauge looks a lil dark

[GregA]

It's a bad picture. There is a bit of a dead spot on the right side, but it's not nearly as bad as the picture makes it out to be.

[spdracr]

yeah this I'd why I haven't done it yet since I really want this to be fully lit and no dead spots at all

[RastaAlejandro]

anyone know if there are there yellow LEDs

[Rambo819]

Will these work or are they too tall?

[Jeffylou87]

They make LED's in any color.. Just search 194 LED on ebay..

Ask the dude for measurements..

[Rambo819]

I didn't know if anyone knew how deep the light socket is in the gauge cluster itself

[ricksta210]

Thats because you didnt order the ones that were the brightest. You skimped on the price, therefore expect skimpy quality. I too skimped on the price when i ordered my LED bulbs from Auto Illumination, and they were not nearly as bright as they shouldve been. I had to order 3 more bulbs that were slightly brighter but nowhere near as the ones Voratec has.

http://superlumination.com/images/auto_bulbs/194_matrix_w_wm.jpg

Thats what Voratec ordered.

http://superlumination.com/images/auto_bulbs/194f_w_wm.jpg

Thats what i first ordered and they were not bright at all.

http://superlumination.com/images/auto_bulbs/194_o_w_wm.jpg

Heres what i ordered the second time. I ordered 3 of these. And it aint bright the way id like them to be. Ill be ordering brighter bulbs soon. :wink:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/6g72galant/DSC02345.jpg
Heres a pic of mines now. As you can see, there nowhere near as bright as Voratecs.



Which blue ones did you order to get it to look like that?

[Redhaze]

Order the very top bulb the other two are some slab..

[JDyal]

Hey I'd like to see what you did but your pics didn't show up, can you post it again?

[JDyal]

How long can the bulbs be to fit in there because i found a 30 mm led that has 5 smds on each side and the top and i wanted to use that

[doctor]

Use SMD LED bulbs, they last much longer, than simple LED

[oakrdrs187]

SMT, brighter....

[8thLS6]

^^yup

[JDyal]

Hey guys, I just signed up and was interested in this post and was wondering if these bulbs would be ok/work well

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270911126529?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_737wt_1163

I just ordered them the other day so they didn't get delivered yet. I'd like someone's opinion. Thanks :thumb_rsvd:

[oakrdrs187]

Just judging off the price you will probably not be too happy with those. I get mine from here...

http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=337

End result. Picture taken at with dimmer all the way down, full bright is too much glare for camera.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa472/vipergtsr96/2012-01-10_02-44-52_271.jpg

[JDyal]

Ah ok nice. I could always use them for other things/cars if they don't work well. After I get them, I'll test it and if they're crappy then I'll get the ones you did. I just love the blue look, so if I can't have too much on the outside, I'll just do it on the inside.

[JDyal]

I just realized they were cheap since there was a bid on them. But with shipping, they're about the same price. The reason why I chose these is because they have a more broad light span than regular leds. When I went to autolumination, they said that these bulbs are good for gauges, so I looked for cheaper US ones and found these. Then after the fact i found ones that are the same, but have lights out the sides too...shoulda gotten those. Anyway let's just play the waiting game and see what happens.

[JDyal]

Here is the new gauge cluster lights thanks to Oakrdrs187


http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m403/jamesied/1329432591.jpg

[oakrdrs187]

Cluster looks pretty good.

[JDyal]

Thanks a lot for the link man. I owe you one. Btw you dot know if 74 bulb is equal to the Toshiba v-2 bulb for the idiot lights do you?