Gauge cluster bulb replacements? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

*transient* · 08-05-2003, 07:19 PM

Anyone know what the bulb types are for the gauge cluster? I think there are about 4 sizes... Also, do these run on 12V or is there a transformer somewhere in the line? The FSM wasn't as helpful as I had hoped it would be. I'm hoping to brighten / clear up the look of my gauge cluster a little bit and go from a slightly greenish yellow to a very very light blue, almost white.

twitchy · 08-05-2003, 11:42 PM

I forget the number of the bulb..its in your owners manual though. I got mine for like 5 bucks at Canadian Tire (Pep boys is similar if your from the US)

takes a while to change...do it properly..Theres a post somewhere on here about how to remove the gauge cluster

I put in blue ones and put red tips on the needles with a marker... Heres the result..You cant really see the color all that well but Ill try and take a better pic later.

Theyre all one kind and i think you need 3 or 4

kaidoy · 08-06-2003, 03:10 AM

The number of the bulbs are 194.

Jason

KiDyNomiTe · 08-06-2003, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by twitchy
I forget the number of the bulb..its in your owners manual though. I got mine for like 5 bucks at Canadian Tire (Pep boys is similar if your from the US)

takes a while to change...do it properly..Theres a post somewhere on here about how to remove the gauge cluster

I put in blue ones and put red tips on the needles with a marker... Heres the result..You cant really see the color all that well but Ill try and take a better pic later.

Theyre all one kind and i think you need 3 or 4

holy hot damn, 50k km

Removal of the cluster is a bitch, there are two ways, the manly way or the sissy way.

Manly way puts cracks into ur gauge surround, sissy way lowers the steering colun

. But the cracks aren't noticeable unless u really force it

*transient* · 08-06-2003, 10:28 AM

Oh, I've already got the cluster out. Hell, I've got the dash and most interior panels out right now, hahaha. You said the bulbs are number 194? Which bulbs though? Is that the three big bulbs that do the backlighting?

*transient* · 08-06-2003, 11:19 AM

Well, for anyone that's interested, Here are some replacement LED's for ya

.

Edit: hehe, linkage would help. http://autolumination.com/194_marker.html

fantasya98 · 08-06-2003, 01:01 PM

Do the LEDs really make a diff? Cause i need to swap my tach, in a few months and ill be taking everything apart again. Also, if anyone has any pics with diff. coloring that would be great, right now i have red.. ummm

*transient* · 08-06-2003, 02:02 PM

Basically, LED's last longer (nearly maintainance free) and take less power to run. Also, LED's provide a much "cleaner" light. White LED's actually produce a white light vs. the yellowish tint of an incandescent bulb.

*radhaz* · 08-06-2003, 02:49 PM

I like the red needle coloring though im not to sure about just doing the tips... so how much of a difference do the colored bulbs make for the overall cluster anyway?

*transient* · 08-06-2003, 04:08 PM

Well, it depends on the bulb. There's a slight bluish film that is placed over the rear side of the gauges, so the stock yellowish incandescent adds to this to create that nice whitish greenish yellow. I'm thinking that if I can get super-white LED's in there, it will give off a bright bluish white. Just remember, if you're using incandescent bulbs, to factor in the slight yellow that the bulbs naturally give off as well as the color of the bulb itself and the blue tint on the back of the gauges. Together, those colors give you what you see when the gauge is installed.

-E- · 08-06-2003, 05:10 PM

I was told that LED's leave dark spots, does anybody know if this is true?

*Sanchi* · 08-06-2003, 05:27 PM

The LED's will leave some areas with intense light and some with alil light. LED's purty much just shoot straght. But i think there is a way to make the lights hit your entire cluster that or they have LEDs aimed in every direction or sumthing... dont quote me

twitchy · 08-06-2003, 10:20 PM

using the normal tinted blue incandescent bulbs (dont use LED they really leave ugly dark spots)
they will be a deep blue to start and look almost too dark. Dont buy the "light blue" looking ones, they will just show up white. Mine, after about 2 weeks I think the blue covering wore out and now its a silvery bluish white...almost the same shade as the fake HID bulbs we all see. I wouldnt reccommend doing the whole needle red, the ink really blocks a good deal of light from showing through, although as the coloring of the bulbs did it will wear out and let more light through after a week or 2 (if you use a sharpie like me.)

Good luck

deviousKA · 08-06-2003, 10:43 PM

the correct way to remove the guage panel is to remove the tilt wheel mechanism/arm. just fyi

fantasya98 · 08-07-2003, 11:07 AM

My bulbs never faded, and if you paint the needle, i really suggest a translucent color soo it'll actually light up at night, sure it may not look as nice in the day.

btw, i have red bulbs and they look really sweet no fade or anything still, strong red just not as bright as i would want it to be. My needles i did a translucent amber on it, and it looks pretty sweet in the day, and still lights up red at night too.

RYS13 · 12-11-2005, 03:56 PM

If you get "wide angle" LEDs, you won't get those ugly dark spots because they shoot the light in several directions as opposed to straight on.

dreamer · 12-11-2005, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deviousKA

the correct way to remove the guage panel is to remove the tilt wheel mechanism/arm. just fyi

i find it easier to just drop the steering column. 2 12mm bolts.

and as for LEDs, i have them in my cluster. theres definately light and dark spots. mine have 5 leds in 1 bulb pointed in all directions, but still leave defined spots.

^my cluster at night. i didnt do anything to the needles, they light up blue anyway.

**ThatGuy** · 12-11-2005, 04:59 PM

Welcome to 2 years ago. Next time check the post date before adding to the Thread.

dreamer · 12-11-2005, 06:23 PM

lol crap i've been had!

RYS13 · 12-15-2005, 12:05 PM

Oops. lol
Searching threads on gauge cluster removal.

08-05-2003, 07:19 PM	#1
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 41 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Gauge cluster bulb replacements? Anyone know what the bulb types are for the gauge cluster? I think there are about 4 sizes... Also, do these run on 12V or is there a transformer somewhere in the line? The FSM wasn't as helpful as I had hoped it would be. I'm hoping to brighten / clear up the look of my gauge cluster a little bit and go from a slightly greenish yellow to a very very light blue, almost white. __________________ Learn everything you can, while you still have the chance.

08-05-2003, 11:42 PM	#2
twitchy Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,579 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I forget the number of the bulb..its in your owners manual though. I got mine for like 5 bucks at Canadian Tire (Pep boys is similar if your from the US) takes a while to change...do it properly..Theres a post somewhere on here about how to remove the gauge cluster I put in blue ones and put red tips on the needles with a marker... Heres the result..You cant really see the color all that well but Ill try and take a better pic later. Theyre all one kind and i think you need 3 or 4 __________________ Who the hell needs a sig anyhow

08-06-2003, 10:28 AM	#5
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 41 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Oh, I've already got the cluster out. Hell, I've got the dash and most interior panels out right now, hahaha. You said the bulbs are number 194? Which bulbs though? Is that the three big bulbs that do the backlighting? __________________ Learn everything you can, while you still have the chance.

08-06-2003, 11:19 AM	#6
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 41 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well, for anyone that's interested, Here are some replacement LED's for ya . Edit: hehe, linkage would help. http://autolumination.com/194_marker.html __________________ Learn everything you can, while you still have the chance.

08-06-2003, 02:02 PM	#8
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 41 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Basically, LED's last longer (nearly maintainance free) and take less power to run. Also, LED's provide a much "cleaner" light. White LED's actually produce a white light vs. the yellowish tint of an incandescent bulb. __________________ Learn everything you can, while you still have the chance.

08-06-2003, 03:10 AM	#3
kaidoy Leaky Injector Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nor*Cal Posts: 69 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The number of the bulbs are 194. Jason

08-06-2003, 01:01 PM	#7
fantasya98 Zilvia Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Denver, CO-USA Age: 38 Posts: 212 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Do the LEDs really make a diff? Cause i need to swap my tach, in a few months and ill be taking everything apart again. Also, if anyone has any pics with diff. coloring that would be great, right now i have red.. ummm

08-06-2003, 02:49 PM	#9
radhaz Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: SD SoCal / Jax, Fl Posts: 659 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I like the red needle coloring though im not to sure about just doing the tips... so how much of a difference do the colored bulbs make for the overall cluster anyway? __________________ Need a 96 driver side window switch. Feel free to pm me with a price

08-06-2003, 04:08 PM	#10
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 41 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well, it depends on the bulb. There's a slight bluish film that is placed over the rear side of the gauges, so the stock yellowish incandescent adds to this to create that nice whitish greenish yellow. I'm thinking that if I can get super-white LED's in there, it will give off a bright bluish white. Just remember, if you're using incandescent bulbs, to factor in the slight yellow that the bulbs naturally give off as well as the color of the bulb itself and the blue tint on the back of the gauges. Together, those colors give you what you see when the gauge is installed. __________________ Learn everything you can, while you still have the chance.

08-06-2003, 05:10 PM	#11
-E- Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Florida, Americas Wang! Age: 43 Posts: 2,912 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I was told that LED's leave dark spots, does anybody know if this is true?

08-06-2003, 05:27 PM	#12
Sanchi Macadamia Nut Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 405 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Sanchi Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The LED's will leave some areas with intense light and some with alil light. LED's purty much just shoot straght. But i think there is a way to make the lights hit your entire cluster that or they have LEDs aimed in every direction or sumthing... dont quote me __________________ "Fear is the path to the Dark Side..., Fear leads to Anger, Anger leads to Hate, Hate leads to Suffering…" -Yoda

08-06-2003, 10:20 PM	#13
twitchy Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,579 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	using the normal tinted blue incandescent bulbs (dont use LED they really leave ugly dark spots) they will be a deep blue to start and look almost too dark. Dont buy the "light blue" looking ones, they will just show up white. Mine, after about 2 weeks I think the blue covering wore out and now its a silvery bluish white...almost the same shade as the fake HID bulbs we all see. I wouldnt reccommend doing the whole needle red, the ink really blocks a good deal of light from showing through, although as the coloring of the bulbs did it will wear out and let more light through after a week or 2 (if you use a sharpie like me.) Good luck __________________ Who the hell needs a sig anyhow

08-06-2003, 10:43 PM	#14
deviousKA Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Idaho Posts: 437 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	the correct way to remove the guage panel is to remove the tilt wheel mechanism/arm. just fyi

08-07-2003, 11:07 AM	#15
fantasya98 Zilvia Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Denver, CO-USA Age: 38 Posts: 212 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My bulbs never faded, and if you paint the needle, i really suggest a translucent color soo it'll actually light up at night, sure it may not look as nice in the day. btw, i have red bulbs and they look really sweet no fade or anything still, strong red just not as bright as i would want it to be. My needles i did a translucent amber on it, and it looks pretty sweet in the day, and still lights up red at night too.

12-11-2005, 03:56 PM	#16
RYS13 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Earth Age: 45 Posts: 31 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If you get "wide angle" LEDs, you won't get those ugly dark spots because they shoot the light in several directions as opposed to straight on.

12-11-2005, 04:59 PM	#18
ThatGuy Admin Asshole Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Retired Age: 45 Posts: 20,394 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: ThatGuy Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Welcome to 2 years ago. Next time check the post date before adding to the Thread. __________________ "Speak softly,..." -Pres. Teddy Roosevelt "Be polite, be professional, ..." -Gen. James Mattis

12-11-2005, 06:23 PM	#19
dreamer Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: northern virginia Posts: 423 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	lol crap i've been had!

12-15-2005, 12:05 PM	#20
RYS13 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Earth Age: 45 Posts: 31 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Oops. lol Searching threads on gauge cluster removal.