Dim instrument panel lights

[LEXUSLEO]

i also want to know what are the bulbs bought at Autozone...?

 

[Dpwhitehead1]

So does anyone here know what bulb it is, or where to get it? Or would I just be better off going to the dealer and bothering them?

i also want to know what are the bulbs bought at Autozone...?

the 74 bulbs do fit. there's a trick to them though, you have to barely put the bulb in, stick in and turn the connector, go on the other side, and push the bulb down. that worked for me!!


regular bulbs 2 194 bulbs, and 2 74 bulbs.

 

[localkineguy]

Yeah I'm bringing those old thread back to life too...is there a how-to on the LED installation? I want mine looking more like the Volkswagen display.

 

[hornsfan10609]

If you get 194 and 74 LEDs they just plug in like the stock bulbs. Some LEDs do not dim with the dimmer switch like regular bulbs do, and some LEDs can.

 

[localkineguy]

If you get 194 and 74 LEDs they just plug in like the stock bulbs. Some LEDs do not dim with the dimmer switch like regular bulbs do, and some LEDs can.

I don't really care about the dimming ability, are these LEDs brighter than the incandescent bulbs? I just want my gauges to be bolder like the Volkswagen set up.

 

[hornsfan10609]

If you get LEDs with multiple lights on the end that shine in all directions they should light up brighter than regular bulbs, especially if the bulbs are old. Some cheap LEDs only shine light forward and that creates uneven light in spots and looks strange.

 

[P-Funk!]

FWITW the dashlights are 'too' dim from factory. Replacing with stock bulbs won't do anything.

 

[Khemraj]

lol...mine is the same way, i just realized there was a a button there as well for my fogs...lol...haven't tried the dimmer switch yet...also there's a button on the right hand side of the steering wheel and left of the dash trim...i pushed it...once, nothing happened...then several times and nothing happened...i'll post a pic of it..hopefully it's not a timer, i don't hear any tick tick tick....so if yall don't see any more posting from me, then ya know why...lol

there you see it? what is that?

 

[o.g.sk8er]

when you push that button, your neighbors garage door opens. lol
sorry, I have no idea what that is, but its not factory though.

I put some led's in my dash, and while its not a huge improvement, it is better. lol
cant remember how many I used, but I think I used only the 194's. (4)

Before:

after:

 

[323]

thank you for taking a picture of before and after with the same camera settings. i think this will help people out a lot. also, did you get the LED's that just shine straight or the ones that shine in different directions?

 

[joghia]

LEDs made a WORLD of a difference for me. They also fit in perfect. 2 194s and 2 74s. I bought regular bulbs at first and the 74s didn't fit! But after going LEDs, you never go back.

 

[o.g.sk8er]

thank you for taking a picture of before and after with the same camera settings. i think this will help people out a lot. also, did you get the LED's that just shine straight or the ones that shine in different directions?

you are quite welcome. I hope it does help.

I used the the multi direction ones. I think they have 3 or 4 leds on each unit. Its been such a long time since I installed them, I just cant remember. lol

 

[323]

like these.....?

 

[Shadow102]

LED bulbs here too....the problem is that mazda didnt put enough bulbs in the cluster so its always dim...and with the LED's you end up with two bright spots in the ends where the 74 bulbs go....The absolute best way to brighten up your gauges is getting your hands on a set of gauge rings they make a world of difference even more so than LED's

bad picture but this is with LED's and gauge rings

 

[o.g.sk8er]

like these.....?

no, like this. not sure of the actual part number though. I *think* this is correct. I will see if I can find my extras leds tonight.

 

[WhiteKnight]

lol...mine is the same way, i just realized there was a a button there as well for my fogs...lol...haven't tried the dimmer switch yet...also there's a button on the right hand side of the steering wheel and left of the dash trim...i pushed it...once, nothing happened...then several times and nothing happened...i'll post a pic of it..hopefully it's not a timer, i don't hear any tick tick tick....so if yall don't see any more posting from me, then ya know why...lol

there you see it? what is that?

looks like a valet button from an aftermarket alarm/remote start/keyless system

 

[Khemraj]

looks like a valet button from an aftermarket alarm/remote start/keyless system

very well could be...

 

[808MP5]

Here's the 74's i believe that are pictured above
http://www.v-leds.com/Interior-LED/...er-LED/2-V-LEDS-3-SMT-AMBER-p7431618-1-2.html

and some 194's
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/...D/2-AMBER-SMT-X5-HIGH-POWER-p6640085-1-2.html

pretty expensive for some LED's but brightness comes with a price

 

[Jack Rot]

Superbrightleds.com

cheap LED's and they work great! i got them in my dash, the 6 bulb ones!

 

[323]

checkout what i just ran into randomly: How to: Evenly light gauges w/LEDs

http://www.msprotege.com/vbb225/showthread.php?t=94241