How To: Replacing 2nd Gen Fog Light Switch Bulb

Mine light up green

 

I purchased my '14 in July and none of the steering wheel controls light up. How do you gain access to them?

 

Not currently on in my 14 and now I'm not sure if they ever did light up? Yikes.

 

I have no clue how to replace them, it seems odd to me all of yours are out? This is how mine looks

 

Yep mine are out. Will deal with that in a different thread.

I ordered a few new bulbs for my switches to the left of the steering wheel. Ordered from autoillumination dot com. Will report back on results. I'm gonna try their colored incandescents as well as their "Japan OEM" LEDs. And I ordered colored silicone bulb covers to try on the OE toyota switch bulbs. 3 options to try and I'll report back on what works best.

Going from OE green to aftermarket red and blue on all switches.

 

Old thread but thought I’d ask. Anyone have any tips on getting the three switches on the top row out? In my 2012 it seems like there’s a box/plate of some sort that blocks access. I pulled the coin tray and the mirror switch. But I can’t even fit my pinky finger up behind to push from the back because there’s something up there

 

I'm having the same problem. I found this thread: https://tinyurl.com/yd28uvuf I have not tried it yet.

 

Removing the dash helped. Removed the screw near the door (tucked behind the panel coming up from the floor) and removed the right screw behind the pop-down panel, tugged dash down. Then I tugged the dash with the fog light switch out. That probably wasn't necessary, but it gave me a bit more room. I used nylon body panel tools (Harbor Freight) to push, pry the middle switch out, and then used the reverse V tool (in photo with screwdriver on it) to push the fog light switch out from behind (by pressing the reverse wedge against the switch and pulling the tool). It's taken me longer to type this than it did to remove the switches.

I have four bulbs to replace, so I ordered 4 T3 neowedge bulbs off Ebay for $10. We'll see about quality when they come on Monday.

 

Finished the job today when the T3 neowedges arrived. I bought amber and wish I'd bought white. A little brighter would be better, but at least I won't lose my night vision.

There were fitment questions on Amazoom. Yes the T3 8 mm LEDs fit. Yes they light up the display. I bought 20 T3s of Ebay for $10. They require a little twirling in their holes, but I now have four lights I didn't have this morning.

 

Swapped everything with white. Much better. I can clearly see the switches, yet it's not so bright as to ruin your night vision in the least.

Highly recommend removing the lower dash, even if you just unbolt the LH side. You can reach up and push the switches out with your finger. I also recommend that you consider removing the switches and taking them to your workbench to swap out the bulbs. Remember, with the LEDs if the bulbs don't light up, turn them 180 degrees and check again.

 

going to be buying some bulb’s.
so for all the switches the bulbs just twist out and you twist in the new one correct?

 

Yes.

 

Thanks for this write up

 

Same here. My 2015 bought used with 20k miles in Dec 2017 has never lit up. This is a useful bit of information, andlours -- thanks.

 

I’ll have to go out to the garage in the am and check mine, pretty sure mine doesn’t light up either. OP, thanks for the write up.

 

Sorry to resurrect an old thread...

Never knew my fog lights, diff lock, and traction control switches were supposed to light up! Was just as baffled as everyone else that Toyota wouldn't backlight these. Then came across this thread! Ordered new LED bulbs and replaced fuses just today. Cant seem to see any bad connections but bulbs still won't light up. What am I not thinking to check here?

 

LEDs are polarity-sensitive. Is there a chance you rolled snake eyes with every one?

I've almost given up on LEDs. The initial quality is sometimes risky, and the bulb holders are often so far off in dimensions that they barely fit.

 

Barely fit is right. Hahaha yeah maybe my luck is workin against me here, I'll go out and check them. Replaced 5 bulbs, what are the odds?

 

One in 32, or about 3%.

 

The mirror adjustment switch and power to the bed (other than the lights reflecting 400w vs 100w) aren't backlit, are they? What about the downhill assist? Got all the other buttons sorted but haven't gotten these to light up.