Gear Shift Lights Out

[Hishsierra]

My gearshift lights are out, and the climate/radio back lighting go out when I turn on the head lights.

The clock back light stays on, but dims when the head lights are turned on.

Is this just the gear shift bulb burned out or something else? If the bulb, what is best way to replace it. Thanks for any help.

[1990LS400]

Could the dash light rheostat knob be turned down so low that the climate/radio backlighting completely dims with headlights on? Check.

The clocking backlight dimming with the headlights on sounds normal.

Replacing the gear shift bulb requires a bit of disassembly which I'm pretty sure is the same as on a Camry - requires removing some screws and sliding the lighted gear selector piece up the gear shift shaft so you can reach under it to change the bulb. I'm pretty sure I've posted one or more diagrams which you can find by searching the ES forum.

[Hishsierra]

Thanks, I already rotated the rheostat, that did nothing, I hope that the shift bulb is bad, and that bulb completes the circuit of when the head lights are turned auto/on.

I also noticed that when in the daylight (out of my garage setting with fluorescent lights on), that the radio/climate back lights stay illuminated when I turn on the lights (going from off to AUTO position), when I pull back into the garage the lights radio/climate back lights click off again - so I assume there is a dual circuit, one for the auto/lights on setting, and one when in the non auto/on position of the head lights.

I will search for the bulb replacement stuff.

I have just purchased the car and very impressed with it so far, smooth, powerful, supportive seats, and everything has linear, smooth feel, from acceleration to braking and steering. My previous ride is Volvo 960 which does everything well also, just not as quiet and refined ride, but a great all round car. I had a 89 Cressida which was also an impressive car, the ES reminds me of it somewhat, but front wheel drive is different, this ES is quieter and smoother that the Cressida which says alot.

2005 ES330/55k

[Hishsierra]

Thanks, I already rotated the rheostat, that did nothing, I hope that the shift bulb is bad, and that bulb completes the circuit of when the head lights are turned auto/on.

I also noticed that when in the daylight (out of my garage setting with fluorescent lights on), that the radio/climate back lights stay illuminated when I turn on the lights (going from off to AUTO position), when I pull back into the garage the lights radio/climate back lights click off again - so I assume there is a dual circuit, one for the auto/lights on setting, and one when in the non auto/on position of the head lights.

I will search for the bulb replacement stuff.

I have just purchased the car and very impressed with it so far, smooth, powerful, supportive seats, and everything has linear, smooth feel, from acceleration to braking and steering. My previous ride is Volvo 960 which does everything well also, just not as quiet and refined ride, but a great all round car. I had a 89 Cressida which was also an impressive car, the ES reminds me of it somewhat, but front wheel drive is different, this ES is quieter and smoother than the Cressida which says alot.

2005 ES330/55k

[1990LS400]

The arrow in the attached schematic shows the gear indicator bulb location.

[Hishsierra]

I discovered today that when I turn on the lights, those circuits lose their ground, the voltage is there. I had the car at lexus to figure it out, they said it was bulbs .

I discovered that the shift bulb was missing, out of socket, they may taken it out, said they were on order.

Another question for anyone. I also see a connector with notthing connected to it - seems goes to the gearshift lights(4 pin connector).

There also appears to be someithing missing beside the power mirror controller (behind the back of the ashetray). Seems there was something bolted to the metal chassis. Anyone know what this would/should be? Could be part of this problem. Is it a missing controller relay or something of that nature?

Are there any online reference manuals for this car, I have not purchased one yet. Thx.

[Hishsierra]

I finally fixed the backlighting problem by grounding the one side of the ashtray lighting wire to the ground of the cigarette lighter. All lights now work fine and bright, with the exception of the rheostat has no effect on them, but okay with me, did not have to buy a new combination cluster. I can live with it now. It is a good car, I have never liked front wheel drive, and on occassion I get a bad wheel hop on a turning acceleration, especially on a wet road, I think the soft suspension is the culprit, so I have be aware of it. On the plus side, the computer said over 34 mpg when I cruised at around 60 on the interstate, not too bad if it is telling me anywhere near the truth...

ES-330 64k