00 Corolla Instrument Cluster Removal

Redisle

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this? Was trying to remove my instrument cluster last week to replace the speedo bulb but no luck getting it out. Removed the appropriate screws as shown on Haynes manual and started pulling but met an awful lot of resistance from the wires.

Got it out a small bit but nowhere near enough to get access to remove the wire connectors. Was pulling pretty damn hard too. Been driving without a speedo at night for a few months now, probably time I sort it :rolleyes:.

As to why the bulb blew in the first place there may be some underlying electrical problem I don't know about. I had all the bulbs behind the heating controls go too, Plus the headlights dim when changing gear / the revs drop too low. Have a new battery so possibly alternator trouble. The car also dosen't start as fast as Id like, turns over 3 or 4 times.

dnme

Here's my experience with a 98 Corolla. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056193467

C4Kid

Did they have filament bulbs for the intsrument cluster lighting in those corollas? Even in 98 I'm surprised they were still using bulbs instead of LED clusters.

LED clusters are cool, but if LED Diodes start to go the whole thing needs replacing (00 VW Golf)

dnme

My 98 Corolla is all filament bulbs anyway. I ordered a batch from here and replaced the entire set on the instrument panel and dash while I was at it. The car looks great again at night. All new and shiny.

Redisle

Hmm, I wonder if it's the speedo cable as you say. Il check in a few days when I have time. Im not sure if it's the same on mine though since it's the newer 1.4vvti model that has that little information display showing MPG etc so it may be a sensor rather than speedo cable.

Btw I replaced the bulbs behind the heater controls with white led's (you mentioned leds in your thread). It's not ideal since the light is concentrated in one area (Like for the speed control the fan symbol and the number 1 are bright and the others not so much). It does work though and white is nicer than the stock green. Made em up myself with a single led, resistor and heat shrink for each one.

I recently replaced the instrument cluster backlight bulbs in my corolla (E10) with 4 of these. Looks much better compared to the filament bulbs and nice even spread of light from the multi smd led's. http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=220750690645&Category=72233&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1

roryq69

You need to unscrew the speedo cable! i changed the bulbs for a friend of mine and had the same problem! finally figured out what was causing it! you'll find it at the back of the engine bay!

Sleepy

Need to do this job myself actually. Anyone know if it'd qualify as an NCT fail or is it something they'd even notice?