Dash light help

I replaced my dash lights with Sylvania LED 168Bs as the package said they are compatible with 194s.
They aren’t exactly the most convenient replacement so I am pretty peeved they don’t work. Any suggestions as to why would be greatly appreciated.

*When I was reconnecting the dash to respective cables I heard a pop. Blew a fuse... next time I will be disconnecting both positive and negative terminals and not just the negative because it got grounded somehow.

I thought the blown fuse must be why lights aren’t working but I replaced it and still nothing. The bottom dash lights do work (Battery, Ebrake, etc)

Since 168Bs are brighter lights then 194s do i need to replace fuse with one with higher amps?

Thanks for your help.

Cheers

CC

 

I am more concerned how you managed to have a short with the negative battery terminal removed .

How is the rheostat set you might need to crank it up??

Have you tested any of these bulbs before installing ?

Was there any instruction on how to install the bulbs and get the correct polarity ??

As the 194 bulbs can be installed in any direction

Since LED bulbs the current can only flow one direction did they all get installed wrong?

 

I know... not sure how it shorted. I definitely heard a pop and the negative was definitely disconnected.

I checked Rheostat which was turned all the way up.

I didn’t check the bulbs prior to installing but They were all brand new. I didn’t know there is a specific direction they need to be installed. Il check that out. Id be surprised that I got 4 wrong but it’s possible.

Probably a dumb question but could it be that I need to put in a larger fuse since the new bulbs are brighter?

Il be taking everything apart in an hour and will report back with what i see.

Thanks for your input

 

Replaced everything with 194’s and it works.

 

I understand some of your frustration with the LED bulbs. My two issues have been........

• Start off super bright but either fade out or cut out after about 6 months. That's currently going on with the 194 Led bulbs from Superbright LEDs.
• Found that the some 194 / 74 have a smaller base that the original glass 194/74 bulbs.
• Seems like the led issues are limited to the 2002 to 2004 models. More so starting with the '03 models.

I'm using dielectric grease when replacing any bulb to secure them better / keep out moisture / reduce heat, etc.
A couple of years ago, I ordered the dome light / map light leds from TW member csjumper2003 which had the soldered on resistors. Those three leds are still going strong.

A thread that goes in depth on some of the above.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/led-dash-lights-become-dim-go-out-over-time.615369/

 

That CEL is so bright it looks like it might melt

 

LED bulbs are more efficient so they are brighter and take much less current. So no bigger fuse needed.

It could be as simple as the contact issue - new bulbs connector might not be 100% the same as original incandescent bulbs and bulb might not contact socket correctly. Also polarity may be an issue. It is hard to put all 4 bulbs wrong, but with some luck and help from Murphy it's possible.