Honda CR-V Instrument Cluster Lights Replacement (HD)

How to replace Honda CRV instrument cluster lights dashboard panel 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 02 03 04 05 06 gauge lights.
The bases say Toshiba V2, but you should keep them.
The bulbs are minibulbs, size 74. They're about $5 for 2 bulbs at auto parts stores, or some cheap ones are $1-$5 for 10 of them on eBay. Search "White 74 bulb" or if you're crazy, choose a different color. ;)
Once you have the instrument panel out:
1. Twist base counterclockwise lightly with pliers, pull out
2. Look for burnt bulbs (or replace 10 out of the 11)
3. Grab and wiggle out the old bulbs
4. Push the new bulbs as far into the base as they'll go
5. Insert and twist the base clockwise.
6. Test to make sure it works
7. Pull base out...flip it over...twist it back in (if "Toshiba V-2" printed on the base is right-side up and the light doesn't work, make sure it's upside-down the second time you try)
8. Let there be light!

[@jobinglobin]

Thank you for this video it is super helpful. I realize my comment is coming several years late but just for anyone like myself looking at this repair in 2023…. In this video the replacement bulbs are LED so not exactly the same as original. I chose to go with incandescent bulbs hopefully to preserve the ability to dim the cluster when desired and also to avoid any fit issues or having to sand the tops of the bulbs as is done here. Well, the “74” bulbs I bought turned out to be too big and with a little more research I found that these bulbs have apparently grown in size over the years as the ones I bought are bigger than those in my cluster and will not seat properly. So now the bulb to get is “2721”, which I currently have on order. I may update this after I receive them if I remember. Also, this video does not address how to replace the shifter lights (“PRND…”) which have a different base and I am still researching. If anyone knows how to replace these I would appreciate the info!

[@jeromebrugger6460]

according to Honda, part # Honda 78135-S9A-003 Socket Assy. with Bulb, fits 2002-2006 Honda CR-V 78135S9A003 , I have not found another source for these yet. $6.54 online, MSRP $9.24 each! I just swapped positions so D lights up instead of 1st.

[@rogerhu4838]

After 7 years it's still useful. Great job bro! We should save this classic video to file.

[@cstar2839]

This is one of the most informative and well done videos for D.I.Y. in this category.. Thank you .. Well done

[@carrbronian]

A big thank-you from me also. Excellent tutorial which turned a complex into a simple task. I purchase 10 x T5 LED lights from Amazon and they worked great for $10. However, the cluster takes 11 bulbs so the remaining one non-LED is quite dim compared to the others....just a note to not be too cheap and to buy a few more bulbs while you have the dash apart! New bulbs make a 268K mile car look almost new!

[@enzoh7763]

thank you for sharing,, T5 Led light bulb from amazon .. btw, would same bulbs work for the climate control panels ?

[@chrisburton8251]

Thank you for posting this. I replaced these bulbs in my 2005 CRV and your video was a great help! I was a little too rough removing the first trim panel and I had to repair some of the clips, so that's a warning for anyone else doing this repair. Otherwise, it was actually pretty easy. I bought 20 incandescent replacement bulbs off of Amazon for about $10. I can only imagine what a dealer would have charged me to replace these.

[@ihf7265]

Hey Michael, Just wanted to say a big thank you. I just replaced the lights in my wife's 2006 crv. It went perfectly since I had your video as a guide. Took about 15 minutes tops. You saved me a ton of research and broken plastic dashboard pieces. You rock!

[@GlassGhost74]

Hey bud I also have a 2006 Honda crv. Can you tell me exactly what lights you ordered? Were the number 74 and do you have to order sockets also he said something about socket number five not really sure what that means. I ordered some bulbs and paid $10 but and they said they went for the 2006 CRV but they are not the correct light so I got to order I guess the 74 is they don't look right either but I think it's because they're LED and they look a little different

[@A1Fotovids]

Great video. Worked perfectly for my 2005 CRV and as a result of your clear instructions I was able to replace my burned out bulbs (35505-SA5-003) 14V/1.4W and reassemble the dash in about 40-45 mins total including cleaning the dash assembly. The bulbs that normally burn out and the ones that I replaced are the larger instrument/console illumination bulbs versus the smaller 78135-S9A-003 14V/1.4W bulbs that are used mainly for warning lights. As you learned, all I need was a Phillips screwdriver and the plastic pry bars were not needed. Thanks!

[@shabak9]

Thanks for taking the time out to do this. Very helpful in replacing my bulb..

[@CBZED101]

This helped a ton! Watched the video and knew exactly what I was doing afterwards. Whole process took maybe 20 minutes. Thank you!

[@janniewojtkielewicz711]

Thank you! It was just as easy as you made it look. Bought a pack of 10 lights+plugs for $9 on Amazon, installed them in about an hour. Saved at least $50 and possibly 2 weeks waiting time.

[@thomasw.7682]

Man, you made it look so effortless with ONE hand! It took me a while and rewatched your video a few times to get it done without breaking anything. Yeah! I used LED bulbs off ebay and they lit the panel uneven. I believe that's due to LED bulbs are longer than OE bulb and are too close to the panel. Thanks for your video. It reallllly helped. BTW, I have the same GPS mounting plate, on center console beneath the AC vent.

[@dbcooper9935]

Thanks for making what looked like a difficult job easy. I was missing 7 lights in my dash, so replaced most of them. I bought bulb assys instead of bare bulbs. Pricey, but everything worked fine.

[@memphisslimbo9837]

Excellent video - thanks-big help! A couple comments- instrument cluster gauge surround- yours popped up easily with a gentle finger push- mine was quite a bit harder but I assure everyone it will pop off as you say. I found the correct Toshiba bulbs on Ebay (with their sockets) for about $8/pack of 4. Finally, My "D" Drive Green light was burned out but its a much smaller size than those Toshiba's so I just switched it out with the seldom used D1 light- and good to go!

[@ScoobyMaxC]

Great video. I had the instrument cluster removed, bulbs replaced and the car back together in about 15 minute. I suspect that would have been at least three times longer if I hadn't watched this first. Thank you!

[@MrNathan791]

Thanks Mike for your video. It was very complete and easy to follow your instructions. Best I've seen concerning this matter on YT. I ordered my lights online also, I just could not justify paying $5 a bulb. Now I'll be changing my climate control lights as well. I've seen your video on that also. Again, thanks.

[@77edgelord77]

Thanks for the easy tutorial. I just replaced all 11 bulbs in my parents 2006 CRV. Total time was around 30 minutes. As far as the bulbs, I went with a little pricer option, the Philips Longer Life 74 (12v) Code 777114807 Part number 74LL B2 purchased from my local Pep Boys around 5 USD for pack of 2. I decided to keep the original T5 sockets. With the bulbs being non LED I didn't have to mess with the + or -, they all worked on the first try! I probably would have ordered some random bulbs off of Amazon but these were in stock at a local store and I didn't want to wait two days for delivery. Your instructions were spot on. I stuffed some rags in the crevices to catch any dropped screws which really helped out. I found that the disassembly was way easier than the reassembly. Putting the lower panel back in was the only thing that really gave me a little issue but I was able to get it after a few minutes of messing around. Thanks again for the 10/10 tutorial, my parents are really going to love the surprise!

[@armandgagne460]

Thorough video, lots of detail, thanks for making this video!

[@neillolsen291]

Thanks for the great video! 40-45 minutes from start to finish.

[@davepaldino5085]

Very helpful video! Several bulbs were out for a number of months but I never fixed them because I thought it was a big job. After watching this video it only took about 30 minutes to replace 6 bulbs. I never like to remove electrical connections unless absolutely nec essary because the little plastic clips like to break. Discovered that you can do this without removing the two electrical harnesses on the instrument cluster by reaching in the back and twisting to remove the base and then just insert and twist the new bulbs. It is easier to remove the entire cluster but you don't have to.

[@zoneb609]

Well... usually the clips break in the engine bay, if you have worked in hondas the interior harnesses last a long time and there's no issue disconnecting them.

[@hikmetus]

Thank you so much for the video.I have changed my light.It is super easy,didn't take no more than 5 minutes.

[@satinwhip]

Thanks so much for this. I just changed all of the instrument panel lights in my 2004 CRV. Your video was a HUGE help. Thanks again.

[@ericmiller7751]

Can't believe you did all that under 10 minutes. Good job!

[@gagecanestrino7422]

Kudos man appreciate the vid even 9 years later 👌🏼👍

[@screwitthechannelfordiyers7541]

Thanks, I was able to replace all of my dash lights after watching this video. I went with a light blue led, it looks awesome!

[@mAtchew91]

Thank you! I had to switch out my D bulb, this video was super helpful. I bought the wrong bulbs so I ended up just switching the 1 bulb for the D and I'm back in business.

[@jemyeh516]

Can you please share what bulb is it for the D? Mine went out too.

[@gavinsimons8022]

Dude I must say you are a life saver. I ordered my blue LED bulbs from amazon and installed just as easy as in this video.

[@youlikemike]

Gavin Simons glad to hear that!! Enjoy.

[@MrNathan791]

That was a great presentation Mike. So much stuff to take off. You explained it very well. Thanks for sharing.

[@next4887]

A coating of elmers glue or two on the end of the bulb may work as well as sanding. Thanks for the great video.

[@TheSpicybrown]

Amazing video man thanks! Something to note, when reinstalling the sockets, they should all be facing with the V pointed downward except for the LCD backlight socket which should have the V pointed up.

[@HyPnOTiiKxEyEz04]

I will be working on this soon. You are so informative. Thank you so very much. You are giving me so much confidence

[@simonnichollsfilm]

Thank you for posting very clear. Took me 30mins.

[@seancycle1]

Thank you for a very nice, straight forward video!

[@mentalsplice]

Thank you so much for this video, you saved me a tons of time and headaches. God bless

[@johndreese1135]

Your video was extremely helpful! Thank you for posting it.

[@christophermontanez6186]

I did replace it but minute later gone and smell like burn some what i can do

[@kitkatsplat2551]

Thank you! was able to put another inexpensive band-aid on my old girl. 250,000 miles is just around the corner.

[@jmateos0411]

Thank you so much! $10 is all it cost me and 1 hour of my time, thanks to your video! 😎👍🏼🙏🏼

[@johnosullivan296]

Great Job with the video! It clearly walked me through changing the gauge cluster. Honda wanted almost $1000 to change parts/labor. Bought used for $60 and changed myself thanks to you. Blessings.

[@MikeCoates]

So great to hear! Glad it helped!

[@johnnycash1612]

Does the milage change?

[@ericmcbride2663]

Need to no how to install the window wiper unit controler.

[@ericmcbride2663]

Anyone I need some advice on this replacement

[@mds2465]

This is the next project on my to do list. I already ordered the bulbs from Honda and they should be arriving on Tuesday.

[@georgefischer4247]

Thanks so much for posting this! One minor comment, rotate the socket 180 deg if LED doesn't light (instead of pulling the bulb out of the base and rotating bulb) that way, there is only one thing to keep track of.

[@tonyhoang3779]

Thanks in millions,I done it in confidence,I just bought the bulb in Honda dealer for covenience 14.00 CAN.Thanks.

[@leewok69]

That's for this informative video, helped me enormously. Many thanks, Wife car now lights up 👍👍

[@peterrowe2874]

Thanks for taking the time to video and post this!! Very helpful.

[@mds2465]

It made a hell of a difference after I replaced them! Same process on pretty much any CR-V of this generation. Mine is a stick shift so the gear indicator sockets are all empty on my instrument cluster but other than that logically speaking the procedure is no different than the one that you demonstrated here.

[@edew9180]

Old video, but much appreciated! Gotta pull my cluster to shut up that dang beeping! I don't need another alarm clock once I get in the car!

[@johnkatkus9063]

Very good video and you covered everything I wanted to know. Please keep these kinds of video coming.

[@AnthonyDunk]

Excellent and useful video thanks!

[@dj33036]

Couldn't have done it without your help, thanks!

[@youlikemike]

Glad I could help!

[@miguelaustralia3473]

Thank you Michael, you save me some dollars.

[@lllonellly]

Who is with me whole time can't focus the video because he forgot the ignition on? Lol Btw great video brother 👍

[@slingshot1961]

i was at he Honda dealer getting an air bag replaced and they told me it would cost 500 bucks to replace these bulbs. After watching your video I was saying what a load of bull. Thanks mate!

[@mcflat04]

Thanks for that info. Mines already burn but with this, I'll do so and not pay much as some ppl take advantage. They're charging me $60 to replace the whole bulbs that literally I can do for almost $10. Thanks for saving me😎👍

[@mikesheldon4063]

Really excellent instructions. Worked great for me. :)

[@beckbartholomew1240]

well edited and rlly helpful, thanks man

[@jimkear6749]

Great video. Don't get too zealous sanding the bulbs, I think I overdid it on a few. Luckily I got 20 bulbs for about $10 so no issue. After my first pass I had a lot not yet working (sanding vs. backwards). My hint to add to your great suggestions is to turn the display upside down, plug the two cables in, and then trial-and-error with the bulbs until everything is lit. The wires have that much play in them and its easier working with the bulbs without constantly playing with the connectors.

[@nobie1973]

Great film :) ! Thank you very much !

[@SinghSingh-ci5yc]

Thanks bud! Gotta replace my 06 bulbs as well.

[@snarlador]

Awesome, thanks for posting!

[@javonnecarter-taylor2699]

Thank you so so very much, your tutorial help me out greatly

[@Foxtechconsultants]

Nicely done, and 1 handed too, impressive :)

[@MikeCoates]

That's the hardest part of these videos! ;)

[@MANILABORACAY1]

I needed this one today - thank you for sharing your an awesome guy

[@youlikemike]

Glad to help

[@CubFan313]

Excellent job! Thank you!

[@alexlavery3753]

Spot on instruction. Went well.

[@goshamonax6501]

Спасибо. Полезно, помогает экономить :)

[@SvilenSultanov]

Thanks for the tutorial! Very useful for me! I just did it like you! It works perfectly! 👍👌🙏

[@youlikemike]

Glad it helped!

[@ileanaavelar5187]

So you just need a screwdriver 🪛 and some pliers sockets that hold the bulb 💡 are 74 bulbs in t5 sockets. Thank you and God bless your efforts to teach us.

[@julioroman3965]

Thank for the video you made. I lied it a Lot and it Will help me becauce my crv has the same problema. Thank you.👍

[@jeremyd5527]

awesome video thanks man i have a new 06 crv and a parts car with working lights easy fix

[@brianmwalczyk1002]

On point. Thanks man!

[@devinpena4569]

You rock. explained it perfectly . I have a green dash now 😏

[@danilosalguero2581]

hey thanks for the video, just what I need.

[@911naimplate]

Nice job on the video. If you are careful, you do not have to fully remove / disconnect the bottom panel. Just undo the screws, pop it out and let it hang. Lower the steering wheel, remove the top bezel, next remove the screws on the instrument cluster, un-clip the wire harnesses and away you go. The reason the OEM bulbs are so much more expensive is because they last a lot longer and you will only have to do the job every 8-9 years or so. I have just changed mine for the second time in 18 months because the LEDS from China are complete garbage not to mention the time it takes to remove and reset each bulb because it literally feels like you are playing roulette with getting them right on the first try. I only got 4 right and 6 wrong. Exhausting process, not changing the bulbs but having to insert and remove the two wire harnesses each time you get it wrong. I will admit that the look of the LEDs is very nice when completed. I just hope this new set lasts longer then the last ones did otherwise the cost, plus my labor, plus the inconvenience are just not worth it. Again, good video. Thanks for sharing!

[@youlikemike]

Rob M hey Rob, thanks for the detailed comment and advice! I agree that the process makes good bulbs worth it if you can afford them. The Chinese ones I bought lasted a couple years, so I felt fortunate.

[@richarddominguez8361]

Rob M do u have to get new bases or u can use the old ones

[@richarddominguez8361]

Rob M do u have to get new bases or u can use the old ones

[@911naimplate]

You can simply use the original bases, some bulbs even come with new bases. Hope this helps......

[@youlikemike]

Rob M that is some great insight. Unfortunately, our CR-V was totaled a few months after I did this so I never saw how long the lights lasted. :/

[@QuiksilverSurfingVu]

awesome instructions it worked out on my CR-V 2002

[@QuiksilverSurfingVu]

now I have blue LEDs! on my dashboard lights thanks to you man ..🏎🚔🚗

[@MrSenorpockitz]

I was thinking of doing the same thing for my 02 CR-V, is the cluster orange or is it the lights that make it orange? Wanted to replace lights with blue LEDs as well. Thanks!

[@QuiksilverSurfingVu]

The lights make it orange

[@MrSenorpockitz]

Awesome, thank you!

[@QuiksilverSurfingVu]

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[@RIPSAWONE]

Very good post. you went to a lot of trouble getting that done.. Just a few thoughts... Might be a good idea to turn key off while removing cluster. On my 2005, I think probably removing clam shell around column would make it a lot easier getting lower panel off. However, it will come off with it on. If the only bulb is the one for the odometer digital display and outside temperature reading area, I would just replace it with a dealer bulb. It is on all the time unlike the ones for the night display that are only on at night and the indicators that only are on briefly. It's the light directly behind it. If I happened to have A/T bulb out like drive, just grab the good 1st gear one that you never use. Even if you do, the lever all the way down to the stop and does not really need to have an indicator.

[@polarsky55]

Very good . Good job!

[@davidrutman6109]

Clear instructions. Saved me about $100 in dealer charges. The hardest part was prying off the first panel. After that, smooth sailing.

[@havootusjourney]

Thankyou soooo much!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏 Bless you sir!!

[@jonbaker1847]

This video was a huge help in taking the dash apart to remove the instrument cluster. Ran into a snag and wondering if you might be able to make a suggestion. I took the cluster out to replace the bulbs because the left side of the cluster was going dim (the dimness adjustment was turned all the way up though) so I thought it was a bad bulb or two. It was dim pretty much on the temperature gauge and the left side of the RPM. Ordered a 10 pack of LED bulbs so I replaced 10 of the 11 bulbs that aren't the gear position bulbs in the middle. Hooked everything back up and now the dimness persists across the top of the cluster. Temp gauge now lit, but dim/no light at top of RPM and Speedomoter. Also came to find out that now the lights at the top of the cluser (lights on, high beams, blinkers, etc.) aren't working. The lights and blinkers themselves still work on the outside of the car, just not the lights in the dash. Any ideas? Thoughts I might bounce it off you before spending the $ at a mechanic. Thanks again!!

[@youlikemike]

Jon Baker sorry for the slow reply. Did you end up figuring this out? My only guess would be that the lights needed to be flipped around when you installed them. But I could be wrong!

[@TookenUsername]

Got T10. Amazon lied and said they would fit but obbviously not lol. But hey this video still helped me thanks

[@samimoring1235]

perfect! great job! great explanation! I appreciate the part number too. I got an 04 crv 2nd gen too. I luv KZbin! off to ebay now :)

[@rachaelurbina6063]

tysm for this video my dad is too busy to do it for me and i’m so sick of not being able to see how fast im going at night LOL

[@davidrix804]

Thank you so much for the video👍👍👍😊😊😊😁😁😁😁😁

[@donnador8846]

Great job dude 👍💙✌

[@AH64armament]

I replaced mine with Blue LED bulbs and they look pretty nice. The High-Beam and turn signal indicators were a bit too bright, so I painted the tips of the LED's with a bit of black spray paint and they're much better. I'm not sure if I"m going to keep it like this, the needles are hard to see. The bulbs were cheap enough though - less than $10 off eBay... and they do dim.

[@DevangsinghSankhala]

Great video and really helpful! May I know how you fit the bottom 2 screws on the instrument cluster back? I tried it but seems like the clip/nut fell down and I just had to close it as is for now. Do I need to find the clips/order new ones so that it stays put while driving?

[@fuzesizoltan1518]

It looks like those are not bulbs, but LED lights that you used to replace the factory original. They need to have the polarity in the right order, that is why some did not work the first time you tried and you had to turn and reinstall them. Great video, thanks!

[@GUANAJUATOMEX]

Thank you so much

[@safwsu639]

Perfect!

[@Bankermaho]

Hello, first of all, thank you for this helpful post. I want to replace all of them with LED bulbs. Do all bulbs need to be T5 or do we need different bulbs as well?

[@danecker6179]

do you have a link for the bulbs ? Thanks for a great video very helpful

[@Aquaman-wy3mg]

Would you happen to know if the gear indicator on the actual shift lever is suppose to light up? I know the gear lights up on the cluster, but want to confirm there is not suppose to be a bulb on the other area as well. I have looked at diagrams and haven't seen anything. I have a 2005 CRV EX. I'd appreciate the information.

[@usmanrasheed]

Thanks for the great D. I. Y

[@napoleontorrico7164]

Using an LED, it is really difficult to check if you have put the LED correctly. Make sure to check the back cluster to see if you can see the glare of the light, and test the left and right signal hazards before putting it back. Then, switch it to the off and on position to test if the corner bulb is working. I recommend getting just the white bulb instead of the LED.

[@williamramos3350]

Greatly appreciate the info. Thought it was going to be much worse.

[@tucobenedictopacificojuanm6364]

Did those bulbs work out for you in the long run, or did you have issues with them? I don't have a lot of confidence in them so I was hoping for some insight before I purchase some. Thanx

[@JoshWraaButler]

I did a similar thing with a 07 Corolla (upgrading to the inexpensive LEDs) and within a month, maybe two, most of them were not working. Did you have any issues with yours?

[@Papislayer69]

How do you get the bulbs out of the v5 sockets I can't manage to wiggle them out

[@deborahsimmons6575]

My cr-v has some white bulb holders that have a different size hole they fit into. Do they require a different bulb?

[@xiaolaoshu520]

hey mike you have the link where you bought the lights? i tried leds with different colors and its not bright as the stock ones... waste of time and money after several attempts the panel says maintenance required. . arrghh i just better stick to oem instead

[@Jayphil1]

hey i jus want to change the background light...is it the one in the center?

[@AH64armament]

did you use LED bulbs? I have several burned out bulbs and am thinking of replacing them with LED's. My only concern is if the LED bulbs ability to be dimmed.

[@Packinheat1175]

Do the gear indicator bulbs work the same way?