Changing light bulbs in VT/VX instrument cluster

[prockter]

sweet man cheers! and sweet VT!

[prockter]

when im trying to remove the bottom of my steering wheel cover the screw is'nt coming out...And also is there a glob where the power switch is? i seem to be able to deattach everything but the automatic gear shift to be able to check for the globe for the power switch..cheers

[wrx884]

y r u touching the steering wheel 4?

yeah there is a globe 4 the power button. these r the same type of globes that ur hazzard, traction, fog, lpg and dome lights switches have. u'll need 2 remove the whole centre console and then move the shifter surround far enough out of the way 2 access the switch from under neith.

[prockter]

im touching my steering wheel so i can change the globe of the ignition

[wrx884]

im touching my steering wheel so i can change the globe of the ignition

ignition ring? steering wheel doesnt need 2 b touched, the ignition ring just pops out from around the barrel. After u got it out just make sure the flat spot on the ingnition ring lines up with the flat spot on the barrel u'll see wat i mean after u get the ring off.

[prockter]

it worked, thanks mate...where the hell do you get the globe from? i want a blue one

[kid_720datto]

Does anyone know what size LEDs are required for the air con unit. T5 wedges for the cluster right?

[wrx884]

depends which unit u have? theres 3 different manual heater control units and then theres a climate unit. best way 2 find out is 2 have a look at the back of the unit or look inside and see wat PCB board is inside.

[mayes]

Hi, having trouble getting to the auto gear shifter globe... ive pulled out the centre console, but then where is the globe? how do i move the gear shift surround?...i didnt want to try too hard and break something. Thanks for any help

[mayes]

Hi, having trouble getting to the auto gear shifter globe... ive pulled out the centre console, but then where is the globe? how do i move the gear shift surround?...i didnt want to try too hard and break something. Thanks for any help

Bump... can anyone answer this?

[wrx884]

Bump... can anyone answer this?

u dont need 2 remove the auto shift surround that can stay put. the globe is directly behind the line PRND123 part under the auto shift surround and u can get 2 the globe from there, u just gotta twist the globe socket out, its a brown T10 size socket so quite big u can miss it.

[mayes]

u dont need 2 remove the auto shift surround that can stay put. the globe is directly behind the line PRND123 part under the auto shift surround and u can get 2 the globe from there, u just gotta twist the globe socket out, its a brown T10 size socket so quite big u can miss it.

oh ok sweet ill try it tomorrow

[lorax]

I finally decided to fix the bulbs around the cabin enviroment controls (A/C, blower fan speed, vent selector, etc). I found this thread very useful in guiding me on what to do. As payback I decided to record the process I went through hoping that it would be useful to others.

Step 1. Remove loose items (phone holder, cigarette lighter, coins, etc).
It's very easy for smaller items to fall into places from which they are difficult to retrieve.


Step 2. Drop the steering wheel down.
This will make it easier to remove the panel around the speedo.


Step 3. Make audio unit removal tool.
These can be made out of a steel wire coat hanger.


Use the holes on the front of the audio unit to determine the length required. Make the legs approximately 5cm. The tool need to penetrate deep enough to push back the restraining clips on the sides of the audio unit.


Insert the removal tools (one each side) and apply slight outward pressure while pulling the unit out of the dash board.


Once the unit is completely removed, disconnect the antenna and audio unit connectors. Put the audio unit out of the way. N.B. You will need the security code to re-enable the audio unit when it is reinstalled.


Step 4. Remove the screws around the cigarette lighter socket.
Use a phillips head screw driver.


Step 5. Remove the section around the automatic gear shifter.
This section is held in by spring clips. Simply apply pressure to remove.


Top view of the gear shifter panel.


Bottom view of the gear shifter panel.


Step 6. Remove the storage unit below the audio unit.
Use a phillips head screw driver.


View of removed storage unit.


View of progress so far.


Step 7. Remove screws around speedo panel.
Use a phillips head screw driver.
There are 2 screws at the top of the panel.


One screw at the bottom left.


One screw at the bottom right.


Step 8. Remove the section around the speedo.
Like the section around the automatic gear shifter, this section is held in by spring clips. Simply apply pressure to remove.
N.B. THERE ARE SEVERAL ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS THAT NEED TO BE DISCONNECTED PRIOR TO COMPLETE REMOVAL.


Electrical connector 1.


Electrical connector 2.


Electrical connector 3.


Removed speedo panel.


Make sure you realign the spring clips for reassembly.


Exposed cabin environment control cluster.


Exposed automatic gear shifter area.


Step 9. Remove the cabin environment control cluster.
Disconnect the wiring loom shown on the top left of the photo. The unit is then held in place by 6 plastic tabs. Simply lift each tab and pull the unit away from the dashboard slightly.


Once the unit is removed the dashboard should look like this.


Step 10. Replace blown globes.
To remove the blown globes use a flat screw driver to rotate the globe holder (black circle with cross on it) half a turn anticlock wise, then lift out.
Bottom left on the photo shows a keyed socket where a bulb holder it to be fitted.
The replacement bulbs (complete with blub holder) can be purchased from Holden for approximately $10 each.
Replacement bulbs without the bulbholder can be purchased from Jaycar Electronics for approximately $4 each.


Step 11. Put it all back together.

I hope this helps someone.

[mayes]

Thanks lorax, thats awesome

What type of bulbs are in the a/c unit? Whats the easiest way to change them with blue leds? assuming holden dont sell blue bulb... do u have to solder the bulbs for jaycar into the old bulb holders?

[mayes]

Will these work? they look similar... 2pcs T3 T4 T5 Neo Wedge (Spark Blue) Dash LED Bulbs | eBay

[lorax]

The GM part number for the replacement bulb unit is GM-92142572. This is for the green bulb. You can also get a clear bulb.

From Jaycar an appropriate replacement bulb would be the Car Alarm Switch Replacement Globe BI Pin. You would have to desolder the blown bulb, remove it from the holder and then solder this one in.

Here are some pictures of the bulb unit required.




The 2 metal tabs come into contact with tracks on the printed circuit board when the bulb unit is twisted into position. I can't see these tabs on the "Neo Wedge" units you are looking at. Perhaps you can ask the seller. You can also ask what size the different units are (i.e T3/T4/T5). The base of the bulb holder required is approximately 10mm in diameter.

Here is another website that offers different coloured instrument LED kits: LED Bulbs suitable replacements for Dash/Instrument Lighting

Good luck.

[wrx884]

Keep in mind this heater unit shown is only 1 of 3 standard heater units use in the VT/VX range so the globes sizes and shape do differ.

[Talby]

Guys,

I need to replace a dead globe behind the headlight switch in my VY. Does anyone have any idea or instructions how to get to the globes please? I am hoping that the light switch panel just twists off or similar.

Thanks in advance.

[wrx884]

The headlight switch in a VY is pushed into the dash and held in place with metal clips, u'll need 2 remove the cluster 4 better access 2 release these clips from behind so that dont get 2 bent out of shape. These globes r soldered in place so u would need 2 desolder them, find new globes 2 suit and solder them 2 their own globe leg stand or just go down the LED path which would b much easier and would last longer then the globe u would b puttin back in.

[arbee]

hey i know its an old thread but just wanted to say thanks made it easy for me

[Bezzey]

Hey guys, I've got a bit of a problem with changing the bulbs.

I got my bulbs off eBay - these are the ones which are replacements for the bulbs in the bulb holder and also supplied with 3 x LCD lights which are the holder with the lights soldered in to directly replace the LCD backlights.
I removed the cluster from my Mrs Executive VT and I replaced the bulbs while she removed the green off the

- Blinkers
- Road speed gauge
- Engine speed gauge
- Coolant temp gauge
- Fuel level gauge
- Centre LCD display

I used 2 blue lights for the blinkers because there wasn't enough pink ones for the ones I removed. Being a bit impatient to see results I only connected the cluster and light switch.

Turned key to accessories, turned lights on.
The only lights that lit up were the warning lights and nothing else.
Checked fuses; instrument illumination was blown (7.5)
Replaced said fuse, tried again.
Blew fuse again. Connected everything (hazard switch, mode/trip buttons, lights, cluster) and checked fuses relating to interior illumination - all ok.
Tried again, nothing & blew 7.5 fuse again. Checked all other fuses and found that there was only a 10amp fuse where there should be a 15 for the "stop lights" section in the fuse panel.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what I should try next and if the stop light fuse would make a difference being 5amp difference?

[Matt 88]

Thanks Lorax, your step by step guide is fantastic. I am going to tackle this on the weekend.

I also have to change a rear seat belt and may try to create a similar guide for that.

[Matt 88]

I changed over some bulbs yesterday and did the full set in the cabin environment control cluster including the aircon and demist buttons. I also had to change one in the instrument cluster behind the fuel gauge (I only bought one of these bulbs).

Put everything back together and found that one of the back lights behind the speedo was not working and holden had shut for the day. I will have to fix it next weekend. I'll put some photos up of the removal of the instrument panel. There are only 2 screws holding it in and one electrical connector to unplug and it comes straight out.

[Bezzey]

I bought these today to replace the Holden wedge bulbs. There is a resistor and diode inside the bulb. I figured quick and easy replacement. Thoughts?


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[prockter]

Hey guys i brought blue leds from ebay then i put them in the cluster and now at night time the needles arent lighting up and so any suggestions?