Thread: 97-03 Cluster Gauge LED Install

Recently I was asked to do a write up on my LED swap into the cluster gauge on another forum. Credit goes to Sal (silver2kgtp) for the idea.

Before we start, the gauge face has a red film on it. So replacing the color will not change the color of the gauges. If you want the gauges a different color, the red film has to be removed. The turn signal indicators have a green film and the high beam indicator has a blue film.

Installation procedure

Photos taken with iphone.

1. Remove the two screws from the foot well panel under the steering wheel column and remove it.
2. Remove the dash.
3. Remove the two phillips screws holding the cluster.
4. Remove the cluster.
5. Remove the two large connectors.
6. Now that the cluster gauge is out you can place it face down. This is what the back of the cluster gauge looks like. Be sure to lay it on a soft surface, such as a microfiber towel. The plastic is very sensitive and can scratch easily.



7. Remove the 5 bulbs that illuminate the cluster. They are 194 bulbs. See the photo below that has the 5 larger open holes.



Photo below is courtesy of Bronco Boy.



8. Remove the bulbs from their holders and install the LED's into the bulb holders and reinstall each one.
9. The turn signal indicators and the high beam indicators are also 194 size bulbs. It's optional but can be replaced as well. These are the 3 bulbs that are replaced. They are located at the top between the two connectors.



10. Reinstall the connectors. Test to see that they come on prior to fully installing everything.
11. Turn on the headlight switch and verify there are no dead spots on the cluster. If there is flip the LED 180 degrees and reinstall it.
A quick tip: With the headlight switch turned to the ON position, you can turn the cluster over and see if each LED has light bleeding out of the bulb holder. That way you can tell if there are dead spots.

12. If the illumination lights for the gauges are only replaced then proceed with reinstalling everything.
13. If the turn signal indicators and the high beam indicator are replaced, test them out as well. To do so, turn the headlight switch ON and flip the high beams on. If the indicator comes on you are good. If it does not come on, flip the LED 180 degrees and reinstall.
For the turn signal indicators, simply turn the hazard lights on and see if they are blinking. If not flip the LED's 180 degrees.
14. Reinstall the cluster gauge, the dash and the foot well panel and enjoy.

Your results should be similar


Before with incandescent bulbs



After with LED's. These are white HP3's LED's from Diode Dynamics.





Turn signal indicator comparison. Incandescent left, LED right.



Both turn signal indicators are LED. High beam indicator is LED



High beam indicator. LED bulb at night



In daylight

Originally Posted by Logan541

don't you lose the ability to dim them when your switch to LED?

LED's can dim too. Here is my LED equipped right rear dome light dimming.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FeRS...layer_embedded

I might have to do this, what size 194 leds did you use got a pic of them? Looks light it just makes the whole cluster more vibrant and bright. Unfortunately my DIC lights are on the way out. So I might buy another one and try to mod my current one blue.

Sent from the Milky Way

194-5-5050 sized LEDs provide a nice, uniform look, but we have something coming soon that is even brighter and provides a better effect.

I have already put some prototypes in the gauges of my personal car

Nice write up OP

Nick C.

Got a picture or link of them Nick?

Sent from the Milky Way

They won't be in for a few weeks, but I'll post updates when we have them

Very unique design, and they are non-polar, so you don't have to guess and check

(perfect for gauges, which can be annoying to test)

Nick C.

Alright cool!

Sent from the Milky Way

Originally Posted by Logan541

don't you lose the ability to dim them when your switch to LED?

They still dim just like a factory bulb.

Originally Posted by Paul J McCain

194-5-5050 sized LEDs provide a nice, uniform look, but we have something coming soon that is even brighter and provides a better effect.

I have already put some prototypes in the gauges of my personal car

Nice write up OP

Nick C.

Thanks Nick. Looking forward to what DD brings to the table. It's always great to support a forum vendor.

Nick one other question. The gauge cluster and the DIC in a 97-03 use some other smaller bulbs which are PC37 and PC74. The analog DIC found in the GT's has a neo wedge bulb with an 8mm base. So that is another small bulb that is common in these cars. Are there any options for these?

Originally Posted by Loftus1995

How did you go upon removing the red film?

He didn't remove the film, he just replaced the bulbs with LED's.

I have bought bulbs that are 194 (not sure how to install the LED's... Don't they need to go into a circuit???).

The plug in the same way as a regular bulb, except they are polarity sensitive (+ to +, - to -) or they won't work.

The bulbs are blue, just need the red film to come off.

Can't help you.

You could just use red LEDs...

Nick C.

Originally Posted by Loftus1995

How did you go upon removing the red film? I have bought bulbs that are 194 (not sure how to install the LED's... Don't they need to go into a circuit???). The bulbs are blue, just need the red film to come off.

Originally Posted by Bronco Boy

He didn't remove the film, he just replaced the bulbs with LED's.

Correct. I didn't remove the red film. I'm sure there is a way to remove the red film. You will have to figure that out. Have you tried rubbing alcohol?

Originally Posted by Bronco Boy

The plug in the same way as a regular bulb, except they are polarity sensitive (+ to +, - to -) or they won't work.

This is correct. Complete plug in play.

Originally Posted by Logan541

Hmm what if you use red bulbs with red film?

You could use red LED's if you want. It will give you a true red color. The difference being that the odometer will also be red. I used to have a photo on my PC at home from someone that did it. I will post it up if I still have it.

I'm looking forward to what Diode Dynamics brings to the table for the 194 size LED's. I am also considering changing out the behind the display of the digital DIC I have in my GT. I just need to find the exact size. I believe they are PC74 or PC37.

We are expecting new color versions of these 194's I speak of to come in soon

I'm looking forward to seeing the color versions also. They diffuse the light really well

Nick C.

Originally Posted by Logan541

Hmm what if you use red bulbs with red film?

Here's the photo of someone else that did red LED's.

You should just never touch your car again...

Originally Posted by TimMcCallum

I did this tonight and when I put the bulb into the socket it started smoking. Idk what to do, that socket no longer works. Also, its not very red with the leds. Its like a pink

Don't know what to tell you. Only thing I can think of is if you shorted something out. Check the copper trace on the back of the cluster and the fuses.

I have had mine installed for a month and have no issues. They look as red as can be as posted in my photos up above. I also did this on my brothers and he has had them for 2 weeks with no issues. They look just as red as mine. Don't know what LED's you used that caused yours to look pink.