Honda Element Dash Lights Behind Speedometer Toshiba V-2 Bulbs

It only takes 10 minutes, a star screw driver and a pair of pliers to get this job done.
I see my car from the inside more than I see it from the outside. So, to make my old car feel a little less old, I replaced all but one of the dash lights in my 2004 Honda Element. The gauges are nice and bright again. I was surprised to see that all but one of the bulbs were burned out!
The Toshiba V-2 bulbs looked like a dealer part, turns out the local Honda dealer doesn't stock them - but a local car parts store did, and for a few dollars more.
The part number for the lamp from Sylvania is 2721 LL UPC 046135392498. I found them in pairs at Canadian Tire - I can't link, as of posting, their web site doesn't have them listed. Stupid.

[@craziedae]

Bro you just saved my sister $800 and a week downtime with this video. It took me 30 mins to finish the job only because I was talking to my neighbors while working.

[@spinphoto]

Awesome!

[@annamcconnall8253]

Yes!!! Thanks so much for this! The two you called signal lights (the gray, not black bases) were actually my odometer lights, which were out and I've been driving around for months not knowing my mileage ('04 Element). I used the exact same bulbs you show here. Additional tips for anyone else trying this: when removing the plastic covers on the side and over the cluster, be patient. I really didn't want to deal with any breakage so it did take some time to just fiddle around with it; they'd probably been in place for 14 years. Your furniture pads+pliers was genius (I also tried the pin video method, lol) but in lieu of those pads I tried hot glue on the pliers and let it harden with the bulb in the grip. It pulled right out once the glue dried. Everything went back together in the car easily and voila- 158686 miles and going strong!

[@spinphoto]

I love reading all the comments from Element owners! I miss mine and I hope you get to drive your Element for many years to come. I traded my 2004 Honda Element EX Manual Transmission in 2017 for a brand new Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport Manual Transmission. It sucked, so in 2020 I traded for a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat V8 and I like it a lot. I would take the Element back *any day* though.

[@katmonaghan9341]

Great suggestion on padding the pliers ... we have 3 Es in the family .... two 2005 and one 2008 ... can't wait to replace the bulbs...Thanks!

[@boomerguy9935]

I only had a problem with one bulb. I wrapped electrical tape around it and then grabbed it with small pliers. It came right out and the glass didn't break but even if it did, it would have been contained by the tape.

[@mindtropyful]

Thanks for the useful tip. Swapped mine today with LEDs.I own a 2005 Element EX. I got it knew and can't part with it. It is still in excellent condition and I've been all over the US outdoors in it....too many family memories in it.

[@bonrr]

Fabian Gonzalez did the leds work

[@rockngrannyroadwarrior8807]

Thanks. Now I know I can do it myself. In another video a guy smacked the top of the instrument panel and his lights came back on. I tried this and it worked for mine. But now if they do burn out I can easily change the bulbs. Especially appreciated your padding the jaws of your pliers. I have jewelry pliers with nylon grips. Wish I had seen this first as those little stick Ins would have saved me quite a bit. Will look for more of your Element vlogs. Mine is also a 2004.

[@spinphoto]

I had a bit of luck with smacking the dash, too, and eventually that just stopped working haha. Shortly after I made this video I blew a tooth in the transmission. I had the transmission replaced with a salvage and drove it for another year. It developed a significant rattle in the front end, and before it was worth nothing, it was time to trade. So in 2017, I traded my 2004 Element AWD 5sp for a brand new (my 1st new vehicle) 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 6 speed manual. It has not been a very good Element replacement. It's got a cramped interior, and with the bed cap, the 5foot bed only offers around 37 inches of entry clearance. So I'm shopping again, maybe for a van, maybe for a truck. The Element was both.

[@angelisone]

That usually dirty contacts or corrosion on those contacts or loose ground.

[@EricGlowacki1]

Thank you! I just received my new OEM bulbs and was looking for a video like this. Its nice to know I can experiment later down the line with the old bulb sockets and LEDs. Thanks for adding that in!

[@spinphoto]

Glad it helped, I miss my Element! wishing you many more years of Element driving :)

[@HotelEdenMusic]

5-minute process that saved a good night's sleep. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@spinphoto]

Thanks for the comment. I hope your element lives for many years!

[@melwoods7041]

2003 E owner - super helpful video - thanks!!

[@spinphoto]

Glad to hear :)

[@TurtwigFan]

Great video! Just bought a 2006 EXP for less than $1,500! And this was one of the issues. Thank you!!! Probably just saved me $200 at the dealership.

[@spinphoto]

What a score! I traded mine in 2017 for a Tacoma, it’s just fair. I really miss my element! There’s nothing else like it. Glad my video was helpful!

[@TurtwigFan]

@@spinphoto For sure! You got it another one when you can! I will definitely using this video to get those lights running. Really appreciate it !!!

[@TurtwigFan]

@@spinphoto Hello again! So I bought the "DODOFUN White T5 37 74 LED Bulb with Twist Lock Socket PC74 PC37 Dashboard Instrument Panel" off of Amazon and followed everything you did step by step but none of them are lighting up. I'm actually going to go try it out again and switch up or see what I did wrong. Do you have an suggestions/ideas of what it might be ?

[@spinphoto]

LEDs are polarity sensitive, there’ll only work in one direction. That’s all I can offer is just to make sure they’re inserted with polarity in mind.

[@TurtwigFan]

ChrisWilkinson Gotta Google whatever polarity mean 🤣

[@deeparks3112]

Well done video still useful in late 2021. The padded pliers trick is a winner.

[@spinphoto]

Ha! Thanks! Yeah - the older those Elements get the more lights that will burn out. I sure miss my Element, there's nothing quite like it.

[@Ditbopper]

@@spinphoto 😉

[@Brad5161]

Great tip on the rubber feet.I put LEDs in mine.

[@frankieups]

What size?

[@Brad5161]

@@frankieups I bought a kit on ebay.

[@kathleendouville1990]

Thankyou for an easily understandable lesson

[@spinphoto]

Thanks for commenting, enjoy your element! I miss mine 😊

[@romessina1]

Thank you for a clear easy rundown. Appreciated!

[@spinphoto]

Enjoy the new lights 👍🏼

[@Escargtone28]

Really easy to follow, great instructions, I'm going to go get my 2721's and fix the problem. THANK YOU!

[@spinphoto]

Awesome!

[@stevereina]

Thank you for showing me how to change out these dash lights on my 04 element.

[@stevereina]

I have all the extras for camping too...

[@davidjones5062]

Thanks for the video. Your instructions are going to make this much easier than I was expecting. And I will not be trying to pry off the silver trim rings and breaking them. Thanks.

[@davidjones5062]

Mine is 2005 Cargo Khaki. I recently purchased a new Pilot. The element has 300,1000 miles on it and is worth nothing on a trade. I intend to keep it. The only thing that doesn’t work are a few dash lights. Still looks new and has never been i a shop for a repair. I do brakes and such. Thanks again for the excellent how to video.

[@simplehealthconcepts--path6951]

Clean and simple! Great idea with the pliers

[@spinphoto]

Thanks! Happy it helped.

[@rusticpix1137]

thanks; replaced the light below speedometer 2 years ago - all the other bulbs are fine. couldn't remember the bulb size

[@zardoz2627]

Thanks. Just bought an element and need to do this

[@anniewright9532]

SAME!

[@TheMarmajean]

Thanks for posting, Chris. The video really helped! Happy Easter!

[@spinphoto]

Glad it helped!

[@awesomeness123awesome7]

Thank You for the video. I will change mine tomorrow.

[@spinphoto]

How did you get along?

[@tomcoon9284]

I fixed my dashboard lights. This video was very helpful. Thank you very much for the video!

[@spinphoto]

Happy to help! What color is your Element? I traded my 2004 Burnt Orange for a 2017 Tacoma 3 years ago, I've never been happy the the truck. Happy driving!

[@tomcoon9284]

@@spinphoto My Element is Burnt Orange. Love the vehicle. Just need to fix a few issues. Have 275.000 miles on it. I recently had to replace the starter which was a difficult job. Last repair, hopefully, replacing the radio which quit working. I am looking for a salvaged one. Looks to be plenty out there.

[@spinphoto]

@@tomcoon9284 After nearly 2 years of very a very very slow starter motor, it finally gave up the ghost after I got gas - but being manual transmission, no big deal - jump started it and a shop replace the starter - definitely not a fun job - but the seemed to get'r done pretty quick. A great job. 275,000 km?! That's INCREDIBLE! Props for keeping it going. The rust got to my frame, I knew it was time to trade before it lost all value. Mine was traded with about 132,000 miles on it. I had also replaced the transmission and transfer case about a year earlier. Sadly, it was time. :(. Happy driving in your Element!

[@sangnguyen-sv2lj]

Thanks mate. Very helpful 👍

[@nadzrihassan903]

I used few double-sided rubber tapes to pad the pliers and pull those bulbs out. Worked, but need to be careful with those tiny bulbs

[@spinphoto]

Great idea!

[@jamescochran3143]

Nice job! I too liked the padded plier trick.

[@spinphoto]

Thanks! What year/color is your Element? Unfortunately my light bulbs outlasted the Element and I traded for a new 2017 Tacoma. I like the tech, but the Element was a better truck than the Tacoma is. 😂😂😂😂

[@JAW88]

Another way of removing the bulbs is to take a rubber band put it around the bulb and twist it a few times and then pull. I like your idea also.

[@spinphoto]

Great tip!

[@jwhitekeyoyo]

thankyou sir. Just like you say in the video in only takes 10 minutes....since I can easily follow your instructions :)

[@Nezello]

Did you wipe the bulbs from the oil on your fingers or does it not matter? Next do a video on repairing and/or fixing the seats coming apart...

[@dakelley710]

TIP: I didn't have the pads to put on the pliers. A dab of hot glue worked really well tho! It was still warm when I grabbed the bulb so it stuck to it and popped right out!

[@spinphoto]

Awesome 😎

[@SugomiNoChiaki]

OMG you have no idea how helpful this is! It helped w/ a broken bulb 😭

[@adrian-et6zr]

Thanks for the video, just installed 4 that were blown out on my HE. (:

[@adrian-et6zr]

Chris Wilkinson 2004.

[@mywhisperingeyeful]

Thank you so much!! The dealership told me it would cost around $700 (🤬) Again, thank you! 🙂

[@spinphoto]

Wow! $700?! How is that even right?!

[@mywhisperingeyeful]

@@spinphoto pink tax? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@spinphoto]

@@mywhisperingeyeful Pink tax makes me sad and angry! 😡

[@mywhisperingeyeful]

@@spinphoto Thanks to you, I’m going to try and change mine it this weekend! 🙂🤞🤞🤞

[@spinphoto]

@@mywhisperingeyeful Let me know how it goes :)

[@SarahSmith-rv7ex]

Great job! Thanks for the video!

[@spinphoto]

Happy to help an element owner. I miss mine so much 🥺

[@mastersherpa1]

Thanks. great video, very easy to follow and right to the point.

[@spinphoto]

Thanks! Glad it helped. I what color is your Element?

[@mastersherpa1]

It is a red 2005 model. It is my wife's pride and joy. It has about 60,000 miles on it and looks like new. I spend most of my time working on my 1964 Plymouth. Usually, I look at these "new" cars just and shake my head. it's nice to see that a bulb is still a bulb, not an LED on a circuit board. Thanks.

[@spinphoto]

Steve Decato I miss my element dearly. I have a 17 Tacoma now, it’s ok, but doesn’t provide the same driving experience as the element did. Too many nanny features for traction and stability. Red was a rare colour in the element. Lucky!

[@o.a.5044]

Thank you, I'll try this!! :)

[@spinphoto]

Awesome 😎. What color is your element? I miss my orange box a lot

[@angelviera5373]

really appreciate the video I successfully replaced all 9 of them

[@zardoz2627]

Now I just need a used replacement driver seat since it rocks back and forth when I stop and start

[@lolinpinguin]

me too

[@robertmanning3922]

Look for a loose nut or screw. It was what I had. I ignored it of course and finally broke off the thread’s and created a far more troublesome issue for myself.

[@richardpinkston1289]

This is super easy i will start work immediately

[@spinphoto]

How did it go?

[@richardpinkston1289]

@@spinphoto done in 5 minutes

[@masterm8468]

This is a great Video I was going to write a long narrative on the video but the utube site continues to make it difficult to post. Sorry

[@gordonrobbins5843]

Thank you. GODBLESS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😇😇😇😇😇

[@cmartin1959-qq2mi]

Thank You so very much !

[@spinphoto]

Happy to help. Enjoy the light 🙂

[@jazzyalex2011]

Would it still be the #2721 bulbs for the odometer? I changed the others - AWESOME and at a great price too! ! ! ! Thank for the heads up about the bulbs. . . .

[@HaiHuynh-ww4ym]

Thanks for showing you awesome.

[@spinphoto]

Thanks! What color is your element?

[@Sirach985]

Went to replace the bulbs with leds and tac and speedometer lights never turned back on. Tried reinstalling all the original bulbs. Still no lights. Going to check fuses next.

[@spinphoto]

Hmm, hopefully it's just a fuse, did you get things worked out?

[@angelisone]

With those bulbs removed. You don't have to remove all, just the closest & easy to get at. Use a DMM and set on 12V, Measures from ground to other end of PCB bulb's contact should reads 12VDC. If 12VDC is missing, look for a short or blown fuse. Trouble shooting a short is not easy.

[@robertknight4672]

My bulb at the top of the speedometer just went out, I'm guessing your element is Canadian.

[@NaturalSelection-gn3nn]

Robert Knight I have the same exact problem aswell

[@motolifealways]

Great vid! I just smack the dash and then they all come on

[@spinphoto]

will mcclung that worked for a year or two for me as well! Haha I have a Tacoma now

[@motolifealways]

@@spinphoto so far so good, but i know the doom is around the corner lol. I love my taco as well! Great trucks. Thanks for the info on the fix . I know i will have to fix eventually 😥

[@rockngrannyroadwarrior8807]

Will Moto704 - is taco another slang for our box? H as hadn’t he was rd tv s as t before.

[@angelbernardino9779]

Hi. Appreciated your helpful video. I have a 2004 Element, also and my dashboard lights are flickering. Should I change the bulbs?

[@angelbernardino9779]

Just the instrument panel and not all... a couple flicker but they don't turn off or totally go dark.

[@rogersajak6530]

I would have the electrical system checked. They do it for free at Advanced Auto

[@robertmanning3922]

Flickering lights does not mean change the bulbs. Something is happening with either the power or the ground to cause a temporary disruption of service. I suggest pulling the plug on the back of the instrument cluster and putting them back on a couple of times in case there is corrosion causing an issue. It is possible a wire bundle maybe rubbing against a sharp edge and trying to short out. A ground could be loose.

[@rockngrannyroadwarrior8807]

Robert Manning Try “snack the panel at the top” first. Another vid showed a loose connection with the main top wiring harness. His lights flickered when he juggled the harness.

[@cesarvirgen1571]

Thank you for the information sir. Subscribed and liked :-)

[@spinphoto]

Thanks! Happy driving

[@tjwatson6883]

What year E is this. I figured out it is Canadian but I have a 2005 US model. Any idea if bulbs are the same?

[@spinphoto]

It’s a 2004 Canadian, I suspect they’ll be the same

[@tjwatson6883]

Thanks. Can I post the link on the Element Owners Club?

[@spinphoto]

Absolutely

[@petejansen8098]

the 2 Grey ones are odometer bulbs not signals

[@spinphoto]

Thanks!

[@awapuhi]

Very cool tutorial. Where can I buy the bulbs but in different colors instead of factory clear light. Some more strong color dim. Do you know where?

[@ssippishark]

awapuhi these worked on my 2005 element www.amazon.com/Partsam-5050-SMD-Instrument-Indicator-2007-2012/dp/B00KNSK432/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref=yo_pop_d_pd_title

[@rockngrannyroadwarrior8807]

Yes. Amazon has a lot of colors for the HE.

[@timkimone]

Hi there Looking good !!! Just saw your video today after I have a problem, change all LED 9 bulb same when I bought on Amazone and now my car shut down no light ON and cannot start the car look like NO POWER? Why ??? do you know about that help me fix, please? Thank so much .. Tim

[@spinphoto]

Yikes! That doesn’t sound very good. I used stock bulbs so I’m not sure about leds. I would take the Amazon bulbs out and check fuses to see if there are any blown. Good luck!

[@olmo47]

You can you’re the tool that comes with the fuse on the engine

[@spinphoto]

I don't understand

[@eduardnaumov6464]

Hi I looking to buy a speedometer in km for 2003 - 2005 Honda Element AT

[@spinphoto]

Check with local scrap yards, there’s a pretty active Honda Element Facebook group, too. Good luck!

[@NPAMike]

Do you know what king of socket it is for the bulb? While trying to pull the bulb out i think i damage the gray one for indicator lights and maybe the odometer?

[@NPAMike]

Chris Wilkinson I have been able to find the black sockets but the gray ones seem to be harder to find. I have found a local junkyard that had a element I might just buy the whole instrument panel. Because mines seem damaged (bought the element used?).

[@dmoritz125]

thanks for did video

[@LeMano66]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@spinphoto]

What color is your element? I miss my 2004 burnt orange so much

[@cepolt]

Did your have to discover the battery at all?

[@spinphoto]

I did not disconnect the battery. Probably a good idea, though.

[@angelisone]

If your bulbs are burnt or burnt out again, you can install ATG 74 LED lights. Then you will never have to replace them again.

[@spinphoto]

Great advice for current owners. Sadly, the bulbs will never again be a problem for me. I traded the Element for a Tacoma in 2017, but I miss the Element a lot, and would have bought a newer one if I could have found one. Canadian winters took their toll on the frame and other components. Replacement was necessary before a critical failure.

[@angelisone]

@@spinphoto I am in cold place also in the winter, -42c, but frames & parts don't rusted. They usually snapped /or frozen. Is your Tacoma has the TRD packages?

[@spinphoto]

@@angelisone Yeah, It's a TRD Sport 4x4 with a manual transmission - I haven't owned an automatic yet - but this manual isn't very a very good driving experience so my next vehicle will be an automatic. The Element 5 speed MT was a better driving experience and was a better fit for the things that I do. I am not ready for a van haha!

[@angelisone]

@@spinphoto Check Toyota is there is recall on your model. 2009 chassis frame had to be replaced. Took 2.5 months. You have changed the TRD fluids yet?

[@spinphoto]

​@@angelisone No recall, however, it seems Toyota didn't fix their frame rust issues between 2nd and 3rd generation, as I was in at the dealer in early 2020 having a warranty enhancement procedure done on my frame - I have a video coming up about it. They applied a corrosion resistant compound to the frame, which gave me a 12 year warranty against perforation. Regarding fluids - I am following the Toyota maintenance schedule - 52,000km on it now.

[@MrVARhythm]

Mine go on and off intermittently =(

[@spinphoto]

Thumping the top of the dash would bring them back, but ultimately they all burned out.

[@teresasmith7806]

can you tell me how to change bulbs in factory fog lights????? 2006 honda element

[@spinphoto]

I'm not much help. Funny thing, my 2004 Element didn't have fog lights, but I bought a set for 2006-2007 (or maybe it was 2005/6, I forget). Either way, doesn't matter, the wiring harness was different and so I never installed them. I sold them on eBay just 3 weeks ago. I would have been able to help if I still had the lights!

[@robertmanning3922]

Just go for it. Pretty soon a man will come along and man Splaine/show you how to do it. And then he will get down there and do it for you.

[@stylecouncilor1]

Any idea where to get the bases? 2003 Element

[@robertmanning3922]

Wrecking yard for one... eBay Google v-2 light bulbs. Replacement LED bulbs will have a new base built around a LED design.

[@justintaylor3500]

what about 2010 honda element gauge bulbs

[@justintaylor3500]

Chris Wilkinson thanks I took it apart there leds soilderd on the board I just wanted to change the color

[@justintaylor3500]

Chris Wilkinson I'm gonna try this rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F181530748527

[@brandonparker1371]

The for the video brother

[@spinphoto]

Enjoy those lights! I miss my Element!

[@MrSamadolfo]

😒 wth? mines dont want to come off 😒

[@MrSamadolfo]

@@spinphoto 🤓 its an 06, shes was virgin tight af but it finally came off. I had to get a hook type screwdriver and gave it a good uh! rite there on the far left where u take off that single side screw, after the first clipped pop i just kept tugging it a bit top and bottom 🍋🙂🍋

[@MrSamadolfo]

@@spinphoto 🙂 i havent seen anyone mention, when u pop the center console frame to replace the A/C controls bulbs you should pop the PRNDL Cover if u have an auto trans, rite below the letter twist of a socket bulb and replace that bulb as well, boom 👊😒🚙🍋

[@MrSamadolfo]

@@spinphoto 🙂 okedoke i will do that, the reason i remembered the PRNDL baby bulb was back in the day my baby brother sold me his old Colt Vista Station Wagon and that beater had most of the dash bulbs burned out as well which was anoying af because i needed the car for road trips and alot of my driving was thru the nite. Coincidentally now that I think about it my baby brother gave me this Honda Element as well, LOL! 😂 🚙🚙

[@MrBobbyBrown2006]

Buy a new vehicle already...

[@Gromit801]

When anyone makes a car as useful and reliable as the Element.