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I've looked at most of the threads out there about upgrading the C5 cluster from regular bulbs to LEDs.
I have my cluster out and have installed LEDs everywhere (DIC buttons, HUD area). I have decided while I have it out that I am going to go forward with doing it too.
Most of the threads on this are old and have broken links or outdated information. I would like to find direct replacements with the twist in sockets so I can do the job quicker.
Does anybody have exact item/part numbers for reputable sites so I can piece together what I need? I just keep reading around in circles and still don't know exactly what to order. They are too expensive to order a bunch of the wrong thing and have that hassle.
Just did LEDs in my Vette as well. Cluster still on the table waiting for white face gauges to arrive and a clear lens cover that I broke while trying to clean a stubborn spot. I could be wrong and I'm gonna look closely but I thought the the bulbs on the board of the cluster are soldered. I think I read that on here somewhere.
Here are the locations and a couple of bulbs I pulled so I could try to find out what I need. The bulbs and sockets pictured appear to be different in size but they are very close. You can also see that the sockets look different too.
Sorry for the quality. The lighting was bad and my camera didn't want to focus.
I bet the guy at radioflyer would know exactly what's needed. What sucks about this is LEDs have to be put in the right way. Only way to know is hook up the cluster and test. Might have to repeat that several times with that many bulbs. Going to get into mine and take a peak.
Ok, I got into mine and you are correct. 14 more bulbs in there. Different from the rest. They all go to the warning lights. As I said earlier LEDs will be a nightmare here just because the only way to know you got um right is to turn on and test. Could take some serious time getting this completed. The cluster is taken apart big time. Not sure I will attempt this one even if LEDs are available. You wouldn't get that much by replacing these except not worrying about one burning out and missing a warning light. Anyway I did email radioflyer just to see if LEDs are available. You have any luck?
UPDATE!
I searched 97 corvette cluster LED on Ebay and they are on there.
Last edited by RNCvette1; Oct 12, 2014 at 04:41 PM.
Ok, I got into mine and you are correct. 14 more bulbs in there. Different from the rest. They all go to the warning lights. As I said earlier LEDs will be a nightmare here just because the only way to know you got um right is to turn on and test. Could take some serious time getting this completed. The cluster is taken apart big time. Not sure I will attempt this one even if LEDs are available. You wouldn't get that much by replacing these except not worrying about one burning out and missing a warning light. Anyway I did email radioflyer just to see if LEDs are available. You have any luck?
UPDATE!
I searched 97 corvette cluster LED on Ebay and they are on there.
Can you post a link to the ones you found on eBay that you think are the replacements? There is so much on there it's hard to filter it down.
And the LEDs on ebay are PC168. Looks like PC194 will fit too but I can't confirm. Check out the Ebay link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Pack-White-PC168-T10-Chevy-Instrument-Panel-Cluster-Led-Light-Bulb-Dashboard-/121165758683?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1997%7CModel%3ACorvette&hash=item1c360ac0db
Tell me what you think. My cluster has 14 bulbs. And in my opinion why replace with a color bulb I see offered on warning lights? The color with the warning light is from a piece of colored plastic / film as you can see on the bright light indicator. Remember I'm a rookie here on this bulb stuff but looks like the ones in the link will work. That seller has plenty of other types. I'm going to email him see what he thinks. I emailed the seller. Let you know what they say.
Hey are you in Kentucky?
Last edited by RNCvette1; Oct 12, 2014 at 05:54 PM.
Tell me what you think. My cluster has 14 bulbs. And in my opinion why replace with a color bulb I see offered on warning lights? The color with the warning light is from a piece of colored plastic / film as you can see on the bright light indicator. Remember I'm a rookie here on this bulb stuff but looks like the ones in the link will work. That seller has plenty of other types. I'm going to email him see what he thinks. I emailed the seller. Let you know what they say.
Hey are you in Kentucky?
Yeah northeastern KY.
I'm pretty sure the 168 is a cross reference for 194. 194 is a common bulb but is too big for the gauge cluster. I've dealt with 194 replacements on my GMC pickup when I did the LEDs in it. The cluster in it actually has 194s.
Keep me posted on what that eBay seller said. I'm trying to get this going so I can get my dash back together next weekend.
I bet the guy at radioflyer would know exactly what's needed. What sucks about this is LEDs have to be put in the right way. Only way to know is hook up the cluster and test. Might have to repeat that several times with that many bulbs. Going to get into mine and take a peak.
A real pro multimeter (or others?) has a "Diode setting" which is like an ohm check and you can see which way current will pass thru each LED; mark it and solder away. pre check w/a second 12v source?
GL
Full LED interior is on the winter list; but it was last year too....
I took all the bulbs out. There's two different types. 10 of one kind and 4 of another. The sockets are different and the bulb is smaller on the 4. I did hear from Radioflyer, he had no replacements and was not that familiar with the bulbs inside the cluster. I am attaching a couple pictures of the bulbs. Going back and forth with a couple sellers on ebay trying to find the right LEDs. The bulb will pull out of the socket on the larger one. I have yet to get the bulb out of the socket on the smaller one. I will keep you updated.
I took all the bulbs out. There's two different types. 10 of one kind and 4 of another. The sockets are different and the bulb is smaller on the 4. I did hear from Radioflyer, he had no replacements and was not that familiar with the bulbs inside the cluster. I am attaching a couple pictures of the bulbs. Going back and forth with a couple sellers on ebay trying to find the right LEDs. The bulb will pull out of the socket on the larger one. I have yet to get the bulb out of the socket on the smaller one. I will keep you updated.
Thanks for your efforts on this. I've been working on this and putting a clutch in my pickup.
There has to be a simple replacement led bulb for these if we can just find out the number. Do you think that ebay link you shared is the correct bulbs?
If you look on the smaller sockets they are stamped with Toshiba V-2. I searched that on eBay but again got muddy results as far as what led bulb would fit it.
Also on the bottom of the cluster where the bottom 2 gauges are, did yours have a few empty spots with no sockets/bulbs? Mine did.
Thanks for your efforts on this. I've been working on this and putting a clutch in my pickup.
There has to be a simple replacement led bulb for these if we can just find out the number. Do you think that ebay link you shared is the correct bulbs?
If you look on the smaller sockets they are stamped with Toshiba V-2. I searched that on eBay but again got muddy results as far as what led bulb would fit it.
Also on the bottom of the cluster where the bottom 2 gauges are, did yours have a few empty spots with no sockets/bulbs? Mine did.
The smaller ones (4 of those) that have V-2 on the bottom will lock into the larger holes. It looks like the contacts are are ok. Only way to know is try it and hook the cluster up see if they come on. Most of the sockets on ebay look like the smaller ones. I measure that hole on the cluster at 5/16 and the larger one at 3/8. And yes I have a few holes also not being used. No warning light there on the front side.
I did some research on other forums and have narrowed the "Toshiba v-2" sockets down to a 74 T5 style bulb. You said the smaller sockets seem to fit the larger holes, I wonder if you could just replace them all with these 74 T5 wedge bulbs and they all work?
As you said earlier, I don't really care so much about the warning/dummy lights because they are already bright enough, I just wanted to match up the gauges with all of my other lighting. Here is a link to a 74 T5 wedge.
Please let us know what you decide. If you decide to do this please let us know which ones you go with and post install instructions (which lights needs to be replaced, etc.). I would love to change out the white lights in my gauges and replace them with white LEDs. I thought they were soldered on so I never gave it too much thought.
Please let us know what you decide. If you decide to do this please let us know which ones you go with and post install instructions (which lights needs to be replaced, etc.). I would love to change out the white lights in my gauges and replace them with white LEDs. I thought they were soldered on so I never gave it too much thought.
Will do.
I ordered some LEDs last night so when they get here I am going to try to get this to work. Will post results and photos if it works out.
Im Going to watch this thread. Hey got-20z, If things go good for you, will you put up exactly what you did and where to get the bulds and your thought... Ive been looking also for awhile on this mod...Hope you can figure all this out and hope it goes well for you...Thanks...got-20z
After some more research and reaching out to Jhonathan at JWMotoring, I have found out more useful information. It's out there, just in old threads so I was having trouble finding it. Look at this thread and read post #7. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1583122825
I know all of the twist and lock bulbs in the cluster are for warning/dummy lights but I still wonder why those couple bottom sockets did not have a bulb installed.
Please let us know what you decide. If you decide to do this please let us know which ones you go with and post install instructions (which lights needs to be replaced, etc.). I would love to change out the white lights in my gauges and replace them with white LEDs. I thought they were soldered on so I never gave it too much thought.
Another C5 Gauge Cluster LED Thread
