DIfficulty replacing dash lights in Corolla

dmrtn

Have to replace some dash lights (airbag and handbrake) in my 99 Corolla to pass the NCT.

Looked up some videos on youtube about removing the dash panel and getting access to the bulbs. I removed the cover and the screws holding the speedometer panel but I can seem to get this panel out far enough to access the back of it. It seemed from all I'd read that the wires would be long enough to let you pull it out far enough so it could be turned over. I've applied reasonable force but no luck. The panel is loose, it feels as though the some wire at the back just isn't long enough to give me access.

Any suggestions or should I just go to a mechanic?

Thanks.

joujoujou

What's the odometer like?

Digital or analogue?

If digital, all wires must be unplugged to remove dash.

If analogue, you must disconnect one wire in engine compartment first (it goes from gearbox to dash, have no photo at the moment).

There are 4 plugs on top of the dash, can be removed when squeezed (catch top and bottom of plug). Fifth plug in the middle - mechanical, for analogue odometer.

Of course bulbs can be replaced anyway, but it'd need quite a big experience and quite small hands.

JohnBoy26

In them corollas you need to unscrew the speedo cable in the engine bay before the clocks come out. You will probly have to go to a breaker for the bulbs you require as these are much smaller than the ones that illuminate the dash and are very difficult to source.

If your replacing the illumination bulbs, they are similar to regular parking light bulb but are 3 watt instead of 5 watt.

dmrtn

Thanks for the help, guys.

joujoujou

Dash illumination requires W3W bulbs. All the rest (including ones you have burnt out) are 286 (a.k.a. T5).

Ebay has them. Halfords too.

colm_mcm

I've never heard of an airbag light blowing.

joujoujou

Never heard either, but sh|t happens.

JohnBoy26

joujoujou wrote: »

Dash illumination requires W3W bulbs. All the rest (including ones you have burnt out) are 286 (a.k.a. T5).

Ebay has them. Halfords too.

Your wrong about them being 286 bulbs. Though they do look similar to 286 bulbs, the bulbs in the corolla are fixed to their own unique plastic carrier and cannot be removed. These only fit the dash of the corolla or in some cases a starlet aswell.

That's why i suggested a breaker because when i try'd to source these at the main dealer i was told they couldn't be got and i had try'd everywhere else beforehand.

colm_mcm

joujoujou wrote: »

Never heard either, but sh|t happens.

Unless the OP has seen the light working before, I'd suspect there is no bulb.

nct tester

did it fail on airbag light not working?? could be a mechanical airbag in that car, hence no airbag light?

colm_mcm

98 corolla

[

dmrtn

Here's the dash this morning.



Whether there is a bulb for airbags or not is a good question. If I was forced to answer I'd say there was, yes. There certainly was one for the handbrake which I definitely should have noticed going missing.

I am due to bring the car back for a visual test to confirm getting the bulbs replaced by the end of next week. I left this a bit late.

joujoujou

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Your wrong about them being 286 bulbs.

Are you gonna say I don't know what I did replace myself?

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

[...] the bulbs in the corolla are fixed to their own unique plastic carrier and cannot be removed. These only fit the dash of the corolla or in some cases a starlet aswell. [...]

The ones you're talking about are fitted into some small elements like headlights level regulator, hazard switch, rear fogs switch, and of course they can be sourced easily from ebay:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/150464444299

Found in 2 minutes.

JohnBoy26

joujoujou wrote: »

Are you gonna say I don't know what I did replace myself? The ones you're talking about are fitted into some small elements like headlights level regulator, hazard switch, rear fogs switch, and of course they can be sourced easily from ebay:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/150464444299

Found in 2 minutes.

Did you replaced them on a e11 corolla? If so how did you get the bulbs out of their plastic holder/carrier?

Also the ones I am talking about are not the ones fitted to those small elements and they are definatley not the ones you linked.

The ones I am talking about are 14v 3w and are fixed to plastic holders that only fit/screw into the back of the corolla instrument cluster and some other toyota models.

MAYOMICK

286 bulbs are definitley too big for lights at back of heater controls etc of Avensis which I assme is the same as a Corolla.I used bulbs from an old Toyota Radio/Casette Player.I took them out of their own caps and put them into the Avensis caps.

JohnBoy26

MAYOMICK wrote: »

286 bulbs are definitley too big for lights at back of heater controls etc of Avensis which I assme is the same as a Corolla.I used bulbs from an old Toyota Radio/Casette Player.I took them out of their own caps and put them into the Avensis caps.

The thing is on the corolla these bulbs can't be removed from their holders/caps. The only way to get them is at a breaker from another corolla instrument cluster. Your definatly correct about the 286 bulbs btw..they won't do at all.

joujoujou

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Did you replaced them on a e11 corolla?

Yes I did.

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

If so how did you get the bulbs out of their plastic holder/carrier?

Wires can be easily unwound off holder.

With just a very little bit of care new bulb's wires can be wound onto.

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Also the ones I am talking about are not the ones fitted to those small elements and they are definatley not the ones you linked.

The ones I am talking about are 14v 3w and are fixed to plastic holders that only fit/screw into the back of the corolla instrument cluster and some other toyota models.

Give me a photo.

I will give a photo as soon as come back home (sunday).

MAYOMICK wrote: »

286 bulbs are definitley too big for lights at back of heater controls etc of Avensis which I assme is the same as a Corolla.[...]

So probably they're not the same. I know exactly what bulbs go where in E11 'rolla.

joujoujou

As promised.

Instrument cluster - rear view:

rear.jpg

Holders removed, bulbs still in:

holders.jpg

Bulbs removed:

bulbs.jpg

5mm diameter, 18mm length. Whoever wants - compare to 286 bulbs.