Gauge bulbs and radio question ...

[gbell210]

Well this post has several related questions in it. I took the dash apart in my 94 LC for 2 reasons.

1: The CD/tape/radio player accepts a CD fine, but it just sits there for a second ( I guess trying to read it maybe) and then automatically ejects it. Its done this with several CDs. Since I just bought this the previous owner said that the CD worked but skipped over bumps. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this problem, or is this possibly due to the 10degree weather I have here? Right now its sitting in the house and I blew it out with a dust can, so I haven't tried it again yet. Just wondering if there is anything I can do, or does anyone know of a place that repairs these radios for a fair price.

If I can't get it replaced... I have another deck I would take out from the 88 4runner I am going to be selling, but the harness is a little different. I did notice in the LC there is the plug that was attached to the 3-in-1 stereo I took out and then very close to that are 2 other plugs that look like the same ones in my 4runner. I assume these plugs are for older radios or the harnesses you'd buy at a car audio shop? I should just be able to move the deck from the 4-runner to the LC easily??


2: While I had the dash apart I might as well replace the 2 burnt out bulbs in the gauge cluster. The PWR light for the ECT and the seatbelt warning light were both out. Is there any place to get these odd bulbs other than Toyota?? I've checked the local Autozone which didn't have anything this small. I heard the PWR light bult is around $6 from the dealer. I have replaced a bulb that is the same type in the actual ECT switch, with a micro 12v bulb from radio shack (but I've had some of these burn out after a year) I would like to get a reliable bulb so I don't have to tear the dash down again. (Although I did get a chance to clean out the 10yr old dust buildup).
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks -Gary

 

[Penguin]

Gary I know this answer will be of no help to you other than to let you know that I also have a 94 Cruiser with the same problem with the CD. I did find a site on the net that said they had some of the same CD players for $200. When I contacted them they said that they no longer had any in stock. I am now just using my ipod plugged into the cassete. I also have two burnt out bulb in my intsrument cluster and was wonder how much work was it getting the dash off.

Toby

 

[gbell210]

Well the info I received from the dealer about the $6 PWR light bulb was wrong. That tiny bulb is $1.80 each with the brown plastic base. The seatbelt lightbulb was $2.34 only for the bulb since it pulls out of the base (black base). To get the dash off wasn't too bad. The worst part is unplugging the crap-load of switches and the heater/AC controls. First I removed the black main dash trim that starts around the radio/heater control area and then goes over the steering wheel to the mirror controls. But to remove the security light connection I had to drop the lower panel below the steering column since it doesn't directly connect to the back of the security light(there is a small attached harness). After that I removed the black plastic around the gauge cluster and vents. Then to remove the gauge cluster there are just 4 screws and 4 plugs behind it. Just take your time. Also there will be alot of screws, so I tried to organzie them and remember where they all go back. The upper black cluster bezel is seated well since it seals against the top of the dash (dash pad). Some advice... warm the truck up first or put it in a heated garage (If you have cold weather this time of year). Your fingers will thank you for it after disconnecting all the switches.

If anyone really wants them I took pics of all the plugs in the dash when I did this. Just to help me remember what they plugged into, and what else is behind all that plastic.

I'm really thinking about putting in the mp3 player that is in my 88-4runner, but I heard that not all the speakers would play after that, since there is a factory amp somewhere in the LC? Is this correct? And if so, since the deck has preouts could those be connected to the speakers that aren't powered directly from the deck?

ALSO.. the center diff. lock plug. IS that the plug that has a terminating end with a yellow jumper on it? When I pull the terminating end off it looks like the Hazard light connection

Sorry for the long/combined posts, but these are the last little things bugging me with my new ride.
-Gary

 

[Rookie2]

ALSO.. the center diff. lock plug. IS that the plug that has a terminating end with a yellow jumper on it? When I pull the terminating end off it looks like the Hazard light connection

Yep.

 

[tlcruiser]

There's a company in San Diego (http://www.toyota-radio-repair.com/) that will refurb your deck. It costs about $200, takes several days, and they warrantee their work for a year. I believe the dealership will refurb also for something similar to that $, if memory serves.

 

[TX_TLC]

If anyone really wants them I took pics of all the plugs in the dash when I did this. Just to help me remember what they plugged into, and what else is behind all that plastic.

Gary,

I am getting ready to fix a couple bulb issues on my 94. Could you post the photos you took from the dash? Or if you would rather you can email them to me.

Was it pretty straight forward? Any hints or tips from someone who just did this?

Thanks!
David

 

[stayalert]

My '94 had a live JGB cd stuck in it for 4-5 yrs. It wuld play but would not eject. Thnaks heavens it was not barney or some other nonsense. I replaced the stock dopuble din thing with an aftermarket double din thin and all is good 'cept I lost some speakers allong the way....I'm lead to believe that's "normal" though

 

[stuck in GA]

Yes gbell I have the same problem with my cd player. But it stopped doing it for some reason after a couple of days. All I can say is that it gives a good excuse to get a better head unit for the cruiser that gives it better sound quality. To tell you the truth I was wishing that my problem was persisting cause I want one of those new alpine head units that plays I pods through your actual system instead of through the radio or tape. Oh well this is just my plan cause I don't really like the stock head unit that is on 80 series that much.

 

[TX_TLC]

When I purchased my 94 the stock head unit wouldn't play CD's. It would take them..and you could hear it spin..but no sound. I replaced mine with a single DIN Eclipse by Fujitsu ten model CD3424.

I choose this for a couple reasons. It wasn't a detacable face...I have had one before and hardly ever took it off, and it only caused loose connection to develop between the face and the unit. So I liked that is wasn't detachable face and it plays MP3s and has a remote. I also like Eclipse's theft protection. You assign a "key" CD to unlock it if it looses power. Some people bitch about it but you can turn it off if you would rather.

The other thing I really liked about the Eclipse is that it is not real flashy or techy looking face...it is clean lines and matches the dash pretty well.

Personally I looked into referb. the stock...but $200 was way too much money for me. For no more than a year warranty. Also in ten years the skip protection has gotten so much better. I have never hear my Eclipse skip,

Just my $.02

 

[gbell210]

If you want pics of behind the guages and inside the dash this index page should work for everyone:


Dash and gauge pics index

Most pics on that page are 1024x768 so you can zoom in some and not distort the image, while still keeping load time down. The originals are 2048x1536 (3.2 megapixels) if someone needs an extremely detailed pic I can email some.


Also, I am planning on installing my JVC mp3 deck and getting rid of the stock stereo that doesn't fully work. Only problem is when I plug it in it blows the dome/alarm fuse. I found on Slee that I need to run another power wire (probably from the battery) to power the deck. I assume this power wire will go to my "Constant Power" on the deck and not the "Accesory On" power?

 

[TX_TLC]

Thanks for hosting the pictures seeing that helps a lot! One question on the gauge cluster...do those little black "plugs" screew/pull out to expose the bulb? Also, on the PRNDL how do you get to the bulbs?

I know my "door ajar" light is out, it has never worked since I got it. I didn't know it had one until I got in my buddies 80. I had just told my wife I wish it had one!

I wonder if I am missing any other lights and just don't know it. Are they listed in the FSM? I don't have mine (letting a friend borrow it) other wise I would look.

Thanks again.

 

[gbell210]

TX, yes the black "plugs" just take a small twist of the finger and out it come along with the bulb pressed in it. All the medium sized black plugs take a bulb I could not find in my local autozone, so I went to toyota for them ($2.34 each for just the bulb and not the black holder) The larger ones behind the tach and speedo I haven't changed but you can easily get them at a walmart or auto store.

The ones in the PRND2L are really friggin tiny and have the brown "plug". To get to them if you look at picture "gauge1" there is a white vertical section in the center. It has 2 clips on the left side top and bottom and there is another clip on the right of it in the center. Once you push all those lift up that center part with a screw driver or something since it is a fairly tight fit. The "gauge2" picture shows you just after I pulled it out, and "gauge3" show you only the center section along with the brown plugs that hold your bulbs. You will need a long finger nail LOL or a smow screw driver and it twists out just like the black plugs. The bulbs in those don't pull out as easy since they have leads (metal wires) wrapped around that brown plastic plug. This bulb i had to order from the dealer also and was $1.80 each (but I am told it comes with the brown plastic plug). I have not got them from the dealer yet since I orderd them yesterday.

As for which lights you are missing, what I would recommend if you don't have an owners manual is just pull each bulb and hold it up to the light, and see if you have ever seen that image before In that "gauge1" picture there are like 4 holes without bulbs, but that I think is correct since there is no image when I hold it to the light. All the other have something and I think I have all the options including the front and rear diff locks.

Edit.. scan from my owners manual for all the cluster lights:

 

[TX_TLC]

Thanks, this all make much more sense. Didn't even think to look in the owners manual for the lights.