gauge lights out, but other dash lights work??

Post #1 here - let me know if I missed this somewhere in my searches for an existing answer...

My 2004 Tacoma dash lights work on the outer dash areas - temp control, radio, etc. (and dim fine with the control) but the lights in the gauge cluster do not work at all. Could these be powered by a separate fuse? I cannot find a bad fuse.

If it must be the bulbs (hoping for that at this point) does anyone know the bulb part number and the quantity? If I go into the dash, I don't want to have to go back soon!

Thanks!
jg

 

Any help from you Tacoma gurus? I am hoping someone can advise before I dig into the dash...
Thanks for looking!

 

they are T10 wedge bulbs or 194 or 168, they are all the same bulbs, they just push into the little plastic holder sockets.

you have 4 bulbs in there, one for tach one for speedo, one for gas, and one for temp gauge.

test the bulbs with 12v and if they work then its the circuit board is bad

now is a perfect time to change the gauge light colors if you want to so give that some thought.

if the bulbs are not bad and they don't work then check the plug connections and look for burnt or melted spots on the plastic circuit board film. this is how to change them and what it looks like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO_jhfGIVVI

 

Thanks keakar! If its the board, do I need a new gauge cluster or can the board be replaced on its own?

I will look into posts about light colors...if you feel like pointing me in the right direction on that topic - that is welcome too!

jg

 

I "think" the film can be replaced but I never tried to do one. I have read a few posts on other forums that say its a bad idea to try it and say its too easy to break the film if you bend it too much when you try to remove it and swap them but when you get it out you can see what that would entale. my advice would be to just buy a used gauge cluster then swap out your odometer meter to the new one, and maybe swap the front clear covers as well if you need to but I wouldn't try to separate the film from the gauges after reading the things I have read unless I felt I had no choice but to try.