Need to replace instrument cluster/AC bulbs

What lights are not working ? The instrument cluster illumination is inoperative or all the lights ,radio , heater control head, all the switches that would be back lighted.

The climate control panel illumination is inoperative , The passenger door lock control switch illumination is inoperative. Could need new dimmer switch , new instrument cluster. When installing a new instrument cluster, it is necessary to upload the module configuration to the scan tool. Following installation of the new instrument cluster, download the module configuration from the scan tool into the new instrument cluster. Refer to Section 418-01 .

1. Use a test lead with a indicator light / led to trace power to instrument cluster lights.
2. A circuit diagram would be of assistance if you are competent to read the circuitry and symbols.

you need a haynes repair manual to locate instrument cluster screws to replace cluster bulb or replace cluster if digital..

If you can remove the cluster ... light bulbs are fitted to sockets that rotate out of the cluster. A blown bulb usually has smoked glass from the blowout depositing metal on the inside of the bulb.

Try moving a working bulb to the speedo and tachometer, and of course replacing any blown bulbs with the same from a parts store.

If using a new bulb does not work in the speedo/tach, look for a blown fuse in the fuse panel. Look at the two(?) female cluster connectors on the back: remove any green corrosion/dirt with WD40.

If you have a multimeter, trace the speedo/tach circuits from the cluster connectors to the bulbs and hence to ground. There could be a crack in the flex circuit.

If the problem persists, there's a more problematic issue in the wiring harness.

In order to change the back light bulbs you must remove the cluster from the dash.

bulbs are replaced by removing the dash cluster, it sounds like you need a bulb

Probably too late but I had the same problem yesterday. Try changing your battery. It sounds crazy but it worked for me.

1. Remove the dash around radio (just clips)
2. Remove 2 screws pointing up . (You do not need to remove screws which are parallel to the floor)
3. Remove screw pointing up on the bottom of the dashboard on left side of the driver (near left leg).
4. Remove 2 screws pointing up in the instrument cluster area.
5. Put car in 1st gear and gently remove black plastic surrounding instruments (it will have ait vents, so slide it carefully out not to damage foam insulation on air ducts; start on the bottom hear steering column) ; unplug connectors to clock and emergency flashers.
6. Remove 2 screws, now exposed, near instrument area, holding dashboard. (that was what I spent most time on, I didn't know about this screws.
7. Now gently remove (or move up) dashboard (around instrument cluster and heating controls.) Start next to ignition (careful not to damage the bulb next to the ignition.
Since you only need to get to the heating controls block, I only move up the dashboard next to it.
8. Remove 2 screws that hold the heating control and slide heating control out . This step is unnecessary If you totally removed the dashboard.
9. Pull out lever controls for fan speed, zone and temp
10. Use the screwdriver (flat) to pry 2 plastic tabs on top and on the bottom of heating control so black cover can be remover.
11. You did it! two bulbs are going to be under the cover.

There is a plastic garnish surrounding the instrument cluster held in by 2 philips head screws. remove the screws and gently pry the garnish from top first then sides then it should pull out.

Then remove the 3 screws holding the cluster in place (2 bottom 1 top). Once that is done gently flip the cluster bottom up and pull out some to expose the wiring harness. Remove the 3 connectors from the back and then the cluster will pull out.

There are 3 bulbs that control the overall lighting of the cluster. They are spaced about every third across the rear of the cluster. They are the larger Green knobs. Remove the 3 large green knobs and replace the bulbs with the appropriate size. You can call your local parts store to find out the size.

Its a 5 minute job and does not require the entire removal of the dash board.

-ASE Master Tech
-Lexus Senior Tech
99 Corolla Owner.

I've done it many times myself. Here is what I do:

Remove the trim that covers instrument cluster, radio, heater control unit. To do this, you must remove 2 screws from trim that are mounted at top of instrument cluster area. Next remove screws above cigarette lighter/head light switch. Now that should be all of them. Position your steering wheel all the way down. Pull off of the trim from the radio area. It is snap fitted so just give it a little tug. The part of the trim covering the instrument cluster is really tight. You have to be careful and pry the thing out while trying not to scratch the top of your steering column. It does come out eventually. Now remove heater/ac control unit. Should be a couple of screws holding it in. There are vacuum hoses and a heater control cable mounted to the back of it also, but you shouldn't have to pull the thing all of the way out. Just turn the light socket to remove it from the back of the heater/ac unit and R/R the bulb.