Gear selector display light went out, how to check bulb?

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COLandCrusher

COLandCrusher

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Apr 21, 2009
Threads
43
Messages
175
Location
Colorado
So my 98 cruiser is in pretty good health, but the last few weeks the illuminated gear selector panel down by the shifter has been intermittent. When i tap the gear selector kind of hard the light pops back on. But now its out and wont come on any more. Also back left outer tail light is out.

Im thinking bulbs, not sure how to get into gear selector panel

Pls advise. Thx:meh:
 
You need to remove the little cover over the shifter gate? Here's how...

Pull in the cup holders straight up and a little inward. The clips will pop out. Reach underneath with your hands and disconnect the seta heater switched and PWR/2ND start buttons ( the pop out upwards with a little push). Remove the transfer case shift knob ( it screws off) and lift off slowly. The shifter bezel will (or should) come up with the center console. Once you get that off I'd clean everything out while in there and have it off. Unscrew the cup holders and wash them out. There are clips around the shifter gate, pop them off and you'll gain access to the bulb. When you get to the bulb, the socket twists out (on the left side of the gate) and you can then pull the assembly (bulb and socket) out. It's extrelemy small and easy to snap off in the socket. Atleast mine was flimsy. So be careful in that step. My NAPA/AutoZone did not carry a bulb that small, nor could Toyota find one for that socket. So my shift gate doesn't light up anymore it's no biggie.


Hope that helps
 
Dont you have the light on the gauge cluster to tell you what gear you're in?

Left rear light is easy. open the tailgate, use a flathead(or the proper torx) and remove the two screws inside the jam. then pull/push the tail light directly away from the jam, perpendicular to the length of the vehicle. Two pressure fit clips will pop. then remove the socket, r&r bulb and reverse process.
 
I have the same issue, but reversed...the D gear selector light in the dash is burned out. Time for an LED dash upgrade I guess!
 
TheFuzz said:
I have the same issue, but reversed...the D gear selector light in the dash is burned out. Time for an LED dash upgrade I guess!
Click to expand...

DONT DO IT! DONT DO IT! Trust me, if you drive at night it's so much nicer without it. Specially on roads around you at night with no other cars, much easier to see wildlife with less lights on the cluster.
 
TheFuzz said:
I have the same issue, but reversed...the D gear selector light in the dash is burned out. Time for an LED dash upgrade I guess!
Click to expand...

This condition is affectionately known on the board as the "D-light mod".

It's drivability upgrade as noted by Loud. See my sigline.
 
D-light mod!!

I love it! I noticed this thread because a few days ago I noticed my d light was out.

Yup, I think I'll keep the "mod"!

This forum is the best. Too bad I can only access from my phone these days due to getting viruses twice on my computer from it.
 
Haha awesome, maybe I should change my sig line to reflect this mod...since I'm obviously not stock anymore! lol
 
5Cruiser said:
Too bad I can only access from my phone these days due to getting viruses twice on my computer from it.
Click to expand...

Really? Me neither!
 
No such issues for me yet. Although my computer does suck compared to my Droid lol.
 
Thanks everyone, 2000UZJ- Biog thanks to you for the step by step. I did exactly as you said and while I was at it even fixed the problem with my cup holder cover not staying closed. That little coil wire popped off it's seating. Cleaned it all up got in all the cracks really nice. By the way that bulb was burned out. but my local store did not have the right one, so I have to get over to Toyota I guess for the correct bulb. It has a little bump on each side to keep it in tight. The aftermarket bulbs #74 do not stay in.

That tail light bulb was a snap also, Thanks again guys/gals!
 
My shifter light bulb has been out for a few weeks now, and smackin' it won't make it come on again. I ordered a #74 bulb from superbrightleds tonight, will report back if it fits, how it works, etc.

And I'd buy the night light argument if this were up in the dash.. that makes sense. But down this low if I'm looking down there at night I'm probably digging for my wallet, or phone, or trying to find the chapstick.. I could use a little light to get there faster. :meh:
 
1loudLX said:
Which did you order? I've got a nice bright one in my glove
Click to expand...

ordered two, not sure which one will work best...

1 | 74-xHP3: Wedge Base LED bulb | $ 3.49 |
74-CWHP3: Cool White
------------------------------------------------------------
1 | 74-xHP: Wedge Base LED Bulb | $ 2.49 |
74-WHP: Cool White
 
Ah, i've got the 3 in my glove. let me know how it works out...not that I plan on even changing the bulbs. If they blow out, big deal. I've learned where everything is :D
 
I received these today, tried the 3-bulb one and the letters were quite bright, very vivid. Thought it was a little too much. I tried the single bulb one and I like that one a lot better. Still a crisp clean light compared to an older incandescent, but not overpowering bright.. just enough to see what's down there.

I'm going to run with the 1 | 74-xHP: Wedge Base LED Bulb | $ 2.49 Cool White for a while. :cheers:
shifter_led1.webp
shifter_led2.webp
 
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