Instrument Cluster Bulbs.

[Sdp1234]

I know this has been discussed many times. Since the LED technology changes rapidly I believe it's fair to ask again. I resoldered some of my cluster to get back the brightness of the P1234 lights. I notice I have several lights that need replaced on the cluster. Is there an LED that can be soldered in as a replacement that doesn't require the resisters like in the past? I can solder pretty well and I'd like to replace them all. Nothing unique just white or blue leds

 

[PNWYukon]

It seems that these type of lights for clusters now come with the resistor built in to the bulb. So as long as the bulbs you are using are made for cluster upgrades then you should be go to go. Also, they may be polarized to only go one way so be sure to orient them correctly or they may not light up.

 

[Fless]

I've used Dr. Speedometer incandescent bulbs (and stepper motors) and what I received are good quality bulbs. They also offer LEDs for these dashes:

https://upnext.infusionsoft.app/app/storeFront/showProductDetail?productId=78

You may want to change all of them to LEDs for lighting consistency and color.

 

[Rocket Man]

I agree to go with a kit so you’ll know they’ll work.

 

[mwilson62000]

When I did my Tahoe years ago, I used the kit from USSpeedo. Square LED bulbs with built in resisters. Got them off EBay. They have a kit for each section of vehicle. (Gauge cluster, door panels,HVaC modules) A little pricey, but worked great.

 

[toddis32]

The US Speedo kits were good in the day but they are usually 50.00 for each kit. The cube LEDs spread the light 360 degrees so there are no hotspots. The same cubes are available in combo kits on eBay in 4 different color options. The combo kits include the gauge cluster kit, steering wheel controls kit, climate control kit and left dash switches kit. All kits come with the LEDs, step by step instructions with pics and the polarity diagrams. https://www.ebay.com/str/gmgaugerepair/LED-Whole-Dash-4pc-Combo-Kits/_i.html?store_cat=7463993017

They also have a window switches kit. These are not the LED cubes but the tiny surface mount LEDs: https://www.ebay.com/str/gmgaugerepair/LED-Window-Switches-Kits/_i.html?store_cat=10485387017

All of the kits in the combo kits can be purchased separately also. They have them in categories in the eBay store on the left side. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dm...r&store_cat=0&store_name=gmgaugerepair&_oac=1

 

[Rocket Man]

The US Speedo kits were good in the day but they are usually 50.00 for each kit. The cube LEDs spread the light 360 degrees so there are no hotspots. The same cubes are available in combo kits on eBay in 4 different color options. The combo kits include the gauge cluster kit, steering wheel controls kit, climate control kit and left dash switches kit. All kits come with the LEDs, step by step instructions with pics and the polarity diagrams. https://www.ebay.com/str/gmgaugerepair/LED-Whole-Dash-4pc-Combo-Kits/_i.html?store_cat=7463993017

They also have a window switches kit. These are not the LED cubes but the tiny surface mount LEDs: https://www.ebay.com/str/gmgaugerepair/LED-Window-Switches-Kits/_i.html?store_cat=10485387017

All of the kits in the combo kits can be purchased separately also. They have them in categories in the eBay store on the left side. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dm...r&store_cat=0&store_name=gmgaugerepair&_oac=1

I wish one of these companies would come out with kits for the 00-02’s, with diagrams. I tried doing some of my switches and gave up. The circuits are confusing on them, wired in series so if you get one reverse polarity, other parts of the circuit goes out like Christmas lights do. It’s hard to tell which pad is ground on each bulb. You can’t keep desoldering and resoldering or the pads on the pcb get destroyed.

 

[toddis32]

I wish one of these companies would come out with kits for the 00-02’s, with diagrams. I tried doing some of my switches and gave up. The circuits are confusing on them, wired in series so if you get one reverse polarity, other parts of the circuit goes out like Christmas lights do. It’s hard to tell which pad is ground on each bulb. You can’t keep desoldering and resoldering or the pads on the pcb get destroyed.

True story! Some of those circuits it works to mount 1 LED and the mount the next LED in the opposite direction and so no. LEDs being polarity sensitive, basically if and LED does not illuminate the 1st time just turn it the opposite direction or 180 degrees. The 3mm LED cubes should work good in all of the 99-02 truck and SUV dash switches. They have the built in resistors with voltage range from 6v to 14 volt. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dm...me=gmgaugerepair&_oac=1&store_cat=23349650017

All except the cluster that is. They have the 194 bulbs that twist in and out.

They also have custom gauge pointers for the 99-02 models. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dm...me=gmgaugerepair&_oac=1&store_cat=31333769017

 

[S33k3r]

I wish one of these companies would come out with kits for the 00-02’s, with diagrams. I tried doing some of my switches and gave up. The circuits are confusing on them, wired in series so if you get one reverse polarity, other parts of the circuit goes out like Christmas lights do. It’s hard to tell which pad is ground on each bulb. You can’t keep desoldering and resoldering or the pads on the pcb get destroyed.

Can't you meter the connections as you go along? I've never done anything like this, so this is a serious question.

 

[Rocket Man]

Can't you meter the connections as you go along? I've never done anything like this, so this is a serious question.

I couldn’t figure out how. I’m sure it’s possible though. I didn’t have a bench test setup with a 12v power supply and a plug to power up the circuit. Every time I replaced a bulb I had to take it out to the truck and plug it in. I also needed a proper desoldering tool. The pads are so small I pretty much had one chance, maybe 2, to get each bulb right or the pad would lift off. It was too much of a hassle and I ruined a couple switch modules so I gave up. I was using bulbs that I had to add a resistor to so that made it even harder.

 

[toddis32]

There are a couple guys on eBay where you can buy the switches with LEDs installed or you can send then your switches. Also try Jeff at carradiobulbs.com
His email is [email protected]

 

[Rocket Man]

There are a couple guys on eBay where you can buy the switches with LEDs installed or you can send then your switches. Also try Jeff at carradiobulbs.com
His email is [email protected]

Yeah I’m over it. I did replace the burned out bulbs with regular ones following carradiobulbs.com’s instructions and it was almost impossible. If you watch the video on the 99-02 driver door switch bulb replacement you’ll see what I mean. The modules are assembled into the housings at the same time the connector pins are soldered so the only correct way to do it is to desolder all the pins and get to the back side of the board where the leads come through and the solder pads are. He even says during his video he doesn’t know how to do that, so he ends up doing it from the top with pretty much zero room to work and trying to create pads where there were none. . I did it, it was stupid hard and I almost destroyed the pcb. I’d bet leds would be even harder.