Dash Lights

[Khrag]

Just a quick question, one of the dash lights stopped working yesterday on my '03 P5, the one that lights up half of the speedometer and half of the tach. It's not a huge thing because unless I do more than 120KPH I can still see the panel, but I want to fix it. Is it an easy self doable job or should I take it in to my mechanic (would really rather not)?

 

[bigpturgeon]

All you need is a Phillips screw river. Unscrew the 2 screws on the top and then pull it off. Under that there are 3 more screws holding the instrument panel on take them out and disconnect the wires. Then just replace the bulb.

 

[Bastian]

Just a quick question, one of the dash lights stopped working yesterday on my '03 P5, the one that lights up half of the speedometer and half of the tach. It's not a huge thing because unless I do more than 120KPH I can still see the panel, but I want to fix it. Is it an easy self doable job or should I take it in to my mechanic (would really rather not)?

The exact same bulb on my cluster goes out periodically, and I just give it a hearty smack on top of the dashboard and it comes on. Worth a shot (2thumbs) lol have to love 10 year old cars

 

[Hank3]

Here's a PDF How-To in taking out the gauge cluster:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=11575&d=1078355914

There are two 194 bulbs closer to the center and one 74 on each side further out.

 

[Nyshadow]

Upgrade Bulbs to LED, won't have to worry about them going out anymore. (yes)

 

[Khrag]

Thanks Hank3 that was awesome! And thanks to you other guys too (I think upgrading is above my skill level) I'll be changing the bulb tomorrow before football starts! Also, the price was awesome 2 bulbs/$4.99.

 

[Hank3]

Thanks Hank3 that was awesome! And thanks to you other guys too (I think upgrading is above my skill level) I'll be changing the bulb tomorrow before football starts! Also, the price was awesome 2 bulbs/$4.99.

You're welcome. Hope you get a brighter and more useful gauge cluster soon. Enjoy Sunday football

 

[cornrickey]

Are the leds alot brighter? Mine are too dim and all are working.

 

[Red Demon]

Saw this and figured I'd post. It took me all of 15 minutes to change my cluster bulbs out to LED's and I did not have to unplug the cluster harnesses. The cluster will sit nicely sideways on top of the steering wheel and give you easy access to the bulbs. Just be careful to not drop them into the dash... This is how mine turned out:

Before:

After:

 

[P-Funk!]

Are they still dim-able?

 

[Red Demon]

Yes, LED's are dimmable. They are however, just right at full brightness.

 

[Timmy_03-P5]

Red Demon, do you know how many diodes were on the bulbs you got for your dash? That looks so much brighter than stock, so much nicer!

 

[bigpturgeon]

you got a part # for those LED's?

 

[Red Demon]

I ordered 2 of these: 2 | WLED-xHP5: 194 LED Bulb - 5 SMD LED Wide Angle Wedge Base| $ 5.95 |
WLED-RHP5: Red

The 74's I believe will be ever so slightly small but will work. My 74's I had custom made by a friend of mine with an integrated resistor and everything is hard-wired into the twist-lok. It has 5 LED's around it also. Turned out fantastic, even though it wasn't what I exactly wanted. I had wanted him to do a single high-powered component LED with an integrated 480ish Ohm resistor as that's what I have in the HVAC controls of my Maxima in blue and they are bright as F! But no matter, his custom job works awesome and I am pleased.

 

[Red Demon]

This is what I did to my Maxima in the last couple months and what I get to look at every morning now. I know, I know, I'm totally showing off, but I frackin' love it!

 

[kamesama980]

If you take the rubbers off the bulbs it's about 50% brighter. My wifes P5 had a few lamps go out and I removed all the rubbers. Now it's like a normal car brightness. Exact same color just a little brighter. Like reddemon's pics