Indicator Lights Not Working On Initial Startup

[koala33]

posted a similar thread about the airbag light staying on but I want to elaborate and check into another issue. I pulled the cluster (91 GT) and replaced the "illumination" bulbs with LED bulbs. All of the other bulbs are OEM and in working condition. In the process of all of this my battery died - I recharged and it is good to go. Just mentioning this in case it may have something to do with this problem. When I turn the key over the check engine light comes on for a few seconds like it is supposed to. TThe airbag light was staying on - I ended up pulling the bulb all together. What I am really trying to figure out is, why am I not getting the low coolant, low oil etc light when I initially turn the car on? I know they are supposed to all turn on for a few seconds and then turn off. II disconnected battery for 10 minutes to try to reset ECU (mainly for the airbag light) but still only getting check engine light initially. All of my other lights work great and the panel looks great with the 5 - LED bulbs in there. Any ideas?

 

[89oem]

ive read the led lights only work one direction so try turning/plugging one or two to the opposite polarity in the plug?

 

[koala33]

ive read the led lights only work one direction so try turning/plugging one or two to the opposite polarity in the plug?

they are not LED, they are OEM bulbs.

 

[koala33]

I am pretty sure they OEM bulbs go in either way. and I tested before I put them in so they were working.. wondering if I messed some contacts up in the harness from plugging/unplugging 10 times to test the other bulbs. I doubt it though. something is up just not sure what. I certainly don't want to take the dash apart again.

 

[koala33]

In other words there are 16 total bulbs in the cluster. 6 are illumination bulbs and the rest are battery, turn signals, high beams, warning lights etc. All of then remained unchanged except the illumination bulbs which just light the dash.

 

[Grabbin' Asphalt]

Pics of your lights in your dash??

 

[koala33]

Pics of your lights in your dash??

I will send when I get home. everything is perfect aside when you first startup and get those warning lights for a few seconds to show they are working.

 

[koala33]

 

[koala33]

That pic is from last night. no Idea why temp was so high, I didn't realize until someone pointed it out. It wasn't hot so I hope I didn't screw the gauge up. going to check it all put again tonight.

 

[Grabbin' Asphalt]

That pic is from last night. no Idea why temp was so high, I didn't realize until someone pointed it out. It wasn't hot so I hope I didn't screw the gauge up. going to check it all put again tonight.

When your car is off and you turn your lights on after its warm it will rise automatically, mine does it too. No worries...

 

[koala33]

When your car is off and you turn your lights on after its warm it will rise automatically, mine does it too. No worries...

ahhhh ok

 

[Grabbin' Asphalt]

So looking at your lights compared to mine, I see your white pointers instead of orange ones and a yellow 5000rpm bar instead of orange, looks good. All your green is brighter too, you're making me think of doing it. Whats involved, just swaping bulbs??

 

[koala33]

So looking at your lights compared to mine, I see your white pointers instead of orange ones and a yellow 5000rpm bar instead of orange, looks good. All your green is brighter too, you're making me think of doing it. Whats involved, just swaping bulbs??

yes just swap out to LED bulbs. just change the illumination bulbs indicated on back of cluster. it is a pain to take It all apart. not too bad. I need to figure out why my warning bulbs aren't working right though.

 

[Grabbin' Asphalt]

My fuel pressure gauge lights up green with an orange pointer and its all similar to my dash. Not sure if I want to break up the theme but I'll look into it.

 

[koala33]

If you use single LED rather than 5 it will look closer to original which is what I should have done. I have a bunch of single just don't want to open dash back up.

My fuel pressure gauge lights up green with an orange pointer and its all similar to my dash. Not sure if I want to break up the theme but I'll look into it.

 

[Grabbin' Asphalt]

If you use single LED rather than 5 it will look closer to original which is what I should have done. I have a bunch of single just don't want to open dash back up.

You used 5 green ones spread out??

 

[koala33]

Looks like it is working as it should...
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elwtpK8og28&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[koala33]

You used 5 green ones spread out??

no. order either the single LEDs or the 5-LEDs and replace I'm the "illumination" slots. There are black fixtures that hold the bulbs. pop put OEM bulb and replace with LED. There are some step by step instructions on the Internet - I don't have the link handy. you have to take your cluster out which takes some time, maybe longer for me since I've never done it.

 

[koala33]

no. order either the single LEDs or the 5-LEDs and replace I'm the "illumination" slots. There are black fixtures that hold the bulbs. pop put OEM bulb and replace with LED. There are some step by step instructions on the Internet - I don't have the link handy. you have to take your cluster out which takes some time, maybe longer for me since I've never done it.

white LEDs not green. If you go with single instead of the 5-LED it will not be as bright and might retain some of those colors you said we're lacking because of the brightness.

 

[koala33]

Close thread, I think I am good to go.