HOW TO BRIGHTEN YOUR MAXIMA'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

DISCLAIMER: The following pages will detail the procedure for brightening the instrument cluster on a 2001 Maxima. The method used here may also successfully be applied to 4th, 5th, and 5.5 generation Maximas. As you well know, the owner is responsible for any/all changes/damages that may occur as a result of engaging in this project. I bought a spare instrument cluster to test on...as seen in STEP 13. Enough of that, now on to the good stuff!

EQUIPMENT LIST
- Dremel with grinding tip
- Soldering Iron
- Solder Flux
- Solder
- 20-gauge Speaker Wire (approx. 1ft.)
- Hyper-White 194 bulbs x3
- Wire Stippers
- 150-grit Sand Paper
- 300-grit Sand Paper
- Paint Stripper (optional)
- PATIENCE!!!

STEP 1: Remove your instrument cluster.

STEP 2: Unscrew & remove the OEM cluster lights. These will be the three bayonet-style lights with black housings.

STEP 3: Using your dremel, grind the opening such that the 194 bulbs will fit into the cluster. You will notice that the bulb is too long, but fear not! This forces us to make contact extensions but gives us the added advantge of being able to aim the bulbs.

Step 4: We will now need to make contact extensions for your 194 bulbs. Take the two metal contact ends and bend them to a 90-degree angle and scuff up the ends.

Step 5: Strip a small section of your speaker wire and twist the ends around the bulb contacts.

Step 6: Apply a small amount of flux and solder the wire to the contact ends.

Step 7: Cut the wire so that a very small length of wire remains. Strip the sheath and twist the ends.

Step 8: Use the exposed wire to determine your mounting depth. Solder the ends to the large contact ends on the circutboard. *NOTE: The bulbs must not rest against the plastic backing of the cluster face!

Step 9: Now is where shit gets crazy. You will need to strip the blue backing of the faceplate in order to make the light really shine through. In order to do this we will have to remove the faceplate (*duh*). START BY CALIBRATING THE NEEDLES. THIS MUST BE DONE!!!! To calibrate, do the following:
(i) Place your key in the ignition and hold in the odometer button.
(ii) Turn the electrical system on while holding the button in.
(iii) Release the button and wait one second.
(iv) Press the button three times. On the third press, HOLD THE BUTTON IN. If the digital readout reads '8' across the board, you are in luck. Otherwise, remove the key and repeat STEPS 9i - 9iii.
(v) You are now in calibration mode. Record where the needles lie. You can hold the button in for as long as you wish to take measurements.

Step 10: Remove the needles. Do this however you wish. I pried mine out using a flat-head screwdriver.

Step 11: Remove the faceplate. It is attached by a few small plastic tabs.

Step 12: Now, you will have two options:
(a) Sand it off using 300grit sandpaper. Very safe, VERY time consuming.
(b) Go nuckin' futs and use stripper, like I did*.

Step 13: Slowly rub the blue off to reveal the white backing.

See the numbers?

Step 14 Put everything back together. Re-enter calibration mode an reaffix the needles to their respective, nominal position.

Step 15: Pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Enjoy your bright, white cluster!
*NOTE: The light diffraction is actually quite uniform; my camera causes the way it appears to be a bit localized!