instrument cluster backlighting

[XCESSIV6]

Watch using led's I know of a Buick vendor that sold some and it melted the gauges in the guys car

 

[Donutboy97]

as well as what everyone mentioned above, also double check that the socket in screwed into the back on the panel all the way. Had issues on a couple of mine when I did the swap.

Here is a picture of the LED's in the monte (it's actually my friends pic, but I used the same bulbs in mine)

Got the bulbs from ebay. if I find the link I'll post it.

 

[J3]

I did the LED swap in my cluster, as well as my Autometers. I also have white gauges, and have the back of the gauge bezel surround painted silver to provide better light distribution. I'm really happy with the results, especially considering that red are the dimmest of all LEDs.

I used this style of LEDs, except with 5 on the end, but they're hard to find anymore: http://www.ebay.com/itm/T10-194-168...Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d420f18c&vxp=mtr

(Pic was taken to compare gauge cluster lighting with Autometers, but you get the idea)

 

[Cutty78]

Do the bulbs mount facing the back of the dash,or do they plug in sideways on a 78? I need to know,so I can order the right style bulbs,with lights on the sides if they mount sideways,or just all in the front if they mount straight in.

 

[MrHernandez]

Just ordered some 2825 bulbs off ebay from sylvania's parent company. Apparently they're $5 for 2 @ the parts store but I got 10 for $15 shipped. Currently I only have 2 working in my cluster so I'm ready for some major improvement, will clean all contacts while I'm in there so my gauges will hopefully start working right. I'll keep you posted.

 

[J3]

Do the bulbs mount facing the back of the dash,or do they plug in sideways on a 78? I need to know,so I can order the right style bulbs,with lights on the sides if they mount sideways,or just all in the front if they mount straight in.

On my Monte they all mounted facing the back of the gauges/bezel, and I believe there are 10 or so bulbs in there. Not positive if the Cutlass is the same way or not.

 

[RDKLXPRS]

Is the dimmer still able to be used with the LED's? I have the regular bulbs in now, but they are either on or off when using the dimmer.

 

[Cutty78]

You can't dim the LED bulbs without adding a specific resistor,just like you can't use them in blinkers without a special flasher module. Try to buy the 6000k bulbs too,made in USA (they are more expensive),but are better quality and not blue.....they are pure white. I ordered the Chinese 168/194/2825's for my dome light/map lights/door lights in my Titan,and it sucked because it wasn't bright enough,just blue. Unless you like the blue tint.....if you ever see the license plate light on a Mercedes or Lexus,etc....that's how your LED's should look.

 

[Cutty78]

About to order some LED's,and i'll post before/after pics in the same spot at the same time of night once installed.

 

[Cutty78]

About to order some LED's,and i'll post before/after pics in the same spot at the same time of night once installed.

I never got a chance to take a before pic,but with old dirty bulbs,you all know what it looked like. I did take pics of the install. I ordered 20,and used 10 in total,including my A/C control light,License plate bulb,and windshield wiper switch bulb,so I have 10 left over. My camera doesn't take very accurate pics in the dark with no flash,but I enhanced the 4th pic to resemble what it actually looks like......they light up my whole dash,unlike stock,where there were very dark spots. I used 5 SMD bulbs,so light would distribute evenly and not like a spotlight. It looks SO much better! Anyways,here's pics......