Jeep YJ Dash Light Fix and LED Upgrade

#JeepYJ #jeeplife #SimplyMustGo
What started as a simple project to fix my Jeep YJ Dash lights, turned into a big learning opportunity. I made some newbie mistakes, hopefully you can learn from them and upgrade you YJ dash lights to LED without the complications I had.
Dimmer switch: amzn.to/3krcfZj
LED Lights: amzn.to/3WoaxoW
Light Sockets: amzn.to/3XL8jks
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[@rayl3103]

You're a bigger man than me. I would refuse to admit I didn't check the fuse.

[@SimplyMustGo]

Hahaha. Maybe I can save someone else from the pain we have inflicted on ourselves.

[@flyfisher530]

Matt those dash lights look great! Boy what a process to get there though....great video and I had no idea about LED polarity!!!

[@SimplyMustGo]

Thanks! Yeah it’s been a process, but one I’m learning soooo much from!

[@markcribbs1488]

Not sure if anyone else has already stated this but LEDs have 2 legs. An annode and a cathode. Typically, the way you find the positive (cathode) side of the LED is by inspecting the legs and determine which one is the longer leg. That will be your positive side.

[@SimplyMustGo]

Good to know. These looked identical to me, but I’ll go check to see now that I know something specific to look for. Thanks!

[@markcribbs1488]

You may have to unfold the two legs, but one of them should be longer than the other. And by the way I like the fact that you do not edit out your videos so the the jobs look easier than what they are. There's always something that comes up no matter how simple the job is. I am presently rewiring my 1990 YJ so I feel your pain. Also if you do not have the service manual or the Y J let me know and I will create a link so you can get it. It's Priceless especially the schematics.

[@normshafer2243]

@markcribbs1488. Hi Mark. I am working on a 95 YJ and there are so many loose wires hanging under the dash. Would you mind sharing that link for The service manual? Whatever the answer thanks and take care 😊

[@FlawedOffroad]

Did you like how I answered before you even asked?(because I had the same issue years ago lmao) Very common issue, glad it all worked out my dude, and thanks for the shout out!

[@SimplyMustGo]

No thank you! You saved me a lot of stress! Haha. Glad you knew and passed along the info!

[@translego1]

I think the RPM gauge is called a tachometer and your MPH gauge is called a speedometer. As got going to switches before fuses, I did the same thing on my YJ when the blinkers stopped working. Replaced the blinker switch only for it to not work, found out it was the fuse. I think we fix the switches first because they are our control surface, and the fuses are typically out of sight, so we are more likely to forget about them.

[@SimplyMustGo]

Yeah. You’re absolutely right! In the moment my mind blanked and I rolled with it. I also think you’re right about the fuses. Out of site out of mind.

[@endlesschaos4135]

If you put LEDs in the check engine , maintenance required and shift indicator the LEDs will stay on ( dimly lit ). Use green, blue and red for the top indicators it helps to see them during the day. I have a red LED in the check engine so if it comes on I’ll see it during the day.

[@endlesschaos4135]

The bottom cluster has a constant voltage running through them when the car is running.

[@CrucesNomad1]

Always check fuses first. Then check grounds, will save you a bunch of work.

[@saintjames8018]

Looks good, great "tips"

[@TrottsTransformations]

Yo dude! Awesome video. I have the weirdest issue where after installing LEDs all round on headlights, tail lights, and indicators, the indicators no longer work when the headlights are on. This is a 1992 YJ. I thought initially that this might be a polarity issue, but apparently the polarity doesn't change when headlights are on. Any ideas for me?

[@SimplyMustGo]

Yeah you need to change out your turn signal and flasher fuses to (the big round ones under the dash) to the LED compatible ones that have their own grounds.

[@jackpock2681]

Hi love your videos super helpful. I changed the dash lights out. In the gauges still not turning on the old ones looked burnt out. I did notice one of the plastic things that holds the light bulb. Would that cause all of them to not work or is there maybe a fuse somewhere for them dash lights? I have tired changing the light in the tax and speedometer. Any information would be great

[@paravaneDota]

So the Standard Motor Products DS-453 does fit the YJ? I have a 91 I'm trying to bring to some semblance of useable and everything I see says the DS-453 "DOES NOT FIT" on the web page. But if you're saying it does I'll get one ordered. Thanks!

[@bobsymonds208]

Dang, No fuse.? I figured the LED lights require a difference polarity. I changed my landcruisers lights a couple years ago. Sorry for all the nightmare. I wish I had time to do those things. We are flying back 02/12. maybe we can have dinner

[@SimplyMustGo]

Yeah! If you make it to Columbia let me know. She’ll be back together by this weekend (fingers crossed) so you’ll have to see her.

[@largelarry2126]

A buddy of mine has a 1993 YJ that has all kinds of problems and has set outside for 13 years. Years back he had it striped and had the inside floors covered with bed liner and also painted everything under the Jeep with the pore 13. It held up nicely and is 99% rust free. Almost every nut and bolt on this Jeep are loose, we took the lug nuts and spark plugs out with our fingers. We got it running after working on it for a month and it didn't even puff a bit of smoke even at the very first, amazing. We have the front axle out having new gears installed, the ring gear had a tooth missing. Love your channel and your videos are a big help. It was last plated in 2005, tomorrow we are planning on working on the AC and systematically going over each and every nut and bolt one by one. One big problem we had for days was, the key would not turn the starter over. I could turn the the motor over by jumping it but not with the key. It was the lower right fuse on the fuse block under the dash, it was dirty. Simple but a huge pain in the ass.

[@SimplyMustGo]

That’s awesome! I love you’re bring it back!!! But holy crap are fuse issue the bane of our existence.

[@seanmmonaghan]

You should find a junkyard or parts pull place near you and just grab a OEM one. The parts stores can sometimes be more trouble then what its worth.

[@SimplyMustGo]

Yeah. There is one about 90 minutes from that that is just old Jeeps. I use it for some stuff. But man, I thought this would be an easy part… 🤦‍♂️

[@MelloDePalmaPennington]

Finding Jeeps at yards is nearly impossible... they get scooped up right away to be parted, out by the Jeep guy.

[@justcallmephil]

Do you have the link / part number for the dash cluster LEDS and sockets you used? Thanks!

[@lucky1867]

Great videos! I’m looking for one that shows how to replace old off road lights. Recently purchased an 89YJ, trying to replace broken halogen lights with LED’s. Have you made a video like that?

[@SimplyMustGo]

Are you referring to the actual headlights or to something like fog lights? Are they mounted to the bumper or to something like a light bar?

[@lucky1867]

@@SimplyMustGo lights mounted to a front bumper. They are old lights, that don’t even have a switch inside.

[@MahiyaKhatun-q3p]

Smith Kimberly Wilson Jose Hernandez Betty

[@larryalexander4833]

Good Evening to you. Just found your channel. Watching a few episodes. I think you said you are in SC ?? I'm in the upstate ( Pickens) I have a yj I've been working on a yj on and off last few years. I have a complete new replacement semi custom metal dash and gauges I'm going to be installing . Just about replaced everything lol

[@SimplyMustGo]

That’s awesome. Hope we run into each other at some point.

[@larryalexander4833]

@@SimplyMustGo just curious were you did find the dimmer switch? I want to. Replace mine when I do my dash.

[@SimplyMustGo]

@@larryalexander4833 I ended up getting it off Amazon. amzn.to/3krcfZj

[@PuspoAktar-y6e]

Lopez Frank Walker Richard Jackson Scott

[@SuzanneWolfe-zc9bt]

Hernandez Christopher Hernandez George Walker Jose

[@agathaporter3685]

Williams Elizabeth Davis Jennifer Garcia Karen

[@PaulWilliams-j1c]

White Carol Robinson Helen Jackson Cynthia

[@SalmanKhan-r9n8t]

Thomas Nancy Young Joseph Hall Lisa

[@HudsonNoah-h2s]

Clark Daniel Thomas Lisa Taylor Steven

[@JoseGonzalez-i2n]

Wilson Charles Allen Thomas Hall Elizabeth

[@jonharrison4895]

can you use the dimmer with led?? I thought those were go no go for older stock dash circuit

[@SimplyMustGo]

No the dimmer doesn’t really work with LEDs

[@vikingtrad3r]

do the led lights you installed here dim properly when the dimmer wheel is adjusted? thnx for the great video.

[@SimplyMustGo]

Not really. The down side to most LEDs like this is they don’t dim.

[@JakirHossene]

Jackson David Jackson Barbara Clark Jose

[@DerekGH]

I replaced mine with green LED and luckily knew about the polarity issue so checked everything before I reinstalled the cluster.

[@SimplyMustGo]

Yeah. I’ll know for next time! Haha

[@leobrown1618]

Curious how many lights I would need to buy if I am looking to replace all the lights in the dash including the speedometer and rpm gage. Is it just one light per gage for a total of 6 leds?

[@leobrown1618]

Also, can you use the old sockets that come with the stock halogen lights for the new led lights or is it necessary to get new ones?

[@SimplyMustGo]

If my memories serves me correct it’s two lights in the dash for speedo / RPM and 4 in the other cluster.

[@SimplyMustGo]

Old ones work, but mine was actually missing a few so I just got all new ones.

[@captainwho5128]

What color led did you go with

[@SimplyMustGo]

Amber

[@starrvalley12]

I changed all mine but also put a white decal on all the gauges it really brighten up everything.

[@SimplyMustGo]

I bet that looks awesome.

[@carvingupthetrails7288]

Emo is looking good. Awesome video as always.

[@SimplyMustGo]

Thank you!

[@handmethatchingadera]

I have a question that’s kinda weird. Do you know if the older larger diameter jeep steering wheel will fit on the yj column? I like the old school larger steering wheel. Or possibly a steering wheel from a m35? I read it’s a gm spline count but don’t know what is compatible. Do you know anyone that would know?

[@SimplyMustGo]

Man. That’s a good question that I don’t know the answer to. I wish I did. I would try posting in some YJ Facebook groups

[@odinfall.1108]

I had a set of those headlights before, but it may have been a different manufacturer with the same design. Mine, when mounted were the opposite of yours, with the low beam using the top LEDs. Check to make sure its mounted right. So far this has been a good series and makes me want to get back to work on my YJ

[@SimplyMustGo]

Thank you! I think I’m going to replace those light with some other ones I like more.

[@UndisputedFrost]

@@SimplyMustGo what headlights are you going with? I’m still running stock and looking to get upgraded headlights

[@SimplyMustGo]

@@UndisputedFrost I’m using these kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6bcm6tuhrKZd7c

[@juanjimenez5094]

Oh Wow like it they looked Good; I’m try it in my Jeep Thanks For the Video.👍

[@vicgustafson8514]

Next time remove the bolts for the steering column. The column will drop down and you will have plenty room to work.

[@SimplyMustGo]

Thanks! I haven’t dealt with the column before and I wasn’t exactly sure what would happen. Thanks for the advice!

[@vicgustafson8514]

@@SimplyMustGo Happy to help. Square eye guys got to stick together. Eat, Sleep, Jeep, Repeat

[@SimplyMustGo]

@@vicgustafson8514 100%

[@francestabor6792]

Oh my goodness.. the fuse! 😮😮

[@SimplyMustGo]

Yeah…. 🤦‍♂️

[@drummer0654]

Why don`t you people Answer your Phone...And Your Mailbox is always FULL...Cannot leave a Message ...What Gives ?Trying to find out if my Part was sent....

[@SimplyMustGo]

Umm. I’m not sure who you’re trying to contact, but I don’t think I’m the right person.

[@kennykyle4813]

FYI look the things you don't know on "KZbin"

[@bonesbrigade4564]

hey bud i have a really important question i have a 89 jeep wrangler only two of my cluter lights are working ive changed all the bulbs im assuming its a wiring issue but is there any way i can try to clean the contact areas on the cluster?this my be a dumb question..im sure ur gonna tell me i need to buy a new cluster......idk......

[@SimplyMustGo]

I think you can use some rubbing alcohol and some Q tips. Also, I did find the gauge cluster circle board on Amazon for like $25. That might be another option.

[@cadams4837]

Have you gotten to the windshield wipers switch and delay control.? That's where I'm at now. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[@SimplyMustGo]

Not yet and I’m hoping I don’t have to. I replaced to windshield wiper motor in my other YJ and that wasn’t hard, but haven’t done any of those switches. I think @jeepsolid has done that though.

[@bruceklassen8261]

A lot of work, but looking good

[@SimplyMustGo]

Thank you!

[@charliesandoval2660]

should have gone napa

[@SimplyMustGo]

Probably.

[@speedgate3923]

Yo i just bought a yj, when i trun on the lights the radio shuts off 😅and ideas. By the when i it have cool speaker system and a big bass ??

[@SimplyMustGo]

My guess is going to be a bad ground somewhere or some really messed up wiring.

[@bjack8645]

There are dimmable LED bulbs...would hate to have gone through all that trouble for a dimmer switch that you can't use. I did learn about polarity on a previous project. Good video.

[@SimplyMustGo]

Yeah. Had I realized what I was getting into when I started I would have been really intentional about getting dimmable LEDs or, just gone with the normal bulbs.

[@bargainfisherman7014]

Which fuse was it?

[@SimplyMustGo]

It was the instrument panel illumination lamps. Fuse 10 on the YJ fuse box diagram

[@1America776]

It's such a pain for me to get parts for my YJ

[@SimplyMustGo]

Why? They should be pretty easy to get. Where are you and what parts are you trying to get?

[@1America776]

@@SimplyMustGo just no local junk yards have em

[@x1tekja]

It is frustrating having to wait for new parts however if you have an old vehicle anything older than 10 years it should be something that you are prepared to deal with

[@SimplyMustGo]

Fair point.

[@a210221]

One issue I had was cleaning the copper using rubbing alcohol with a q tip for individual lights not working no matter of polarity

[@SimplyMustGo]

Yeah. I had some people suggest I would need to do that. Luckily I didn’t have to go that far.

[@shawnhensger7174]

i wish i had this video a month or so ago i had the SAME EXACT problems on the dimmer lights and the polarity on the led lights.

[@SimplyMustGo]

Oh man! Yeah it’s frustrating trying to track down why things aren’t working. Especially when it’s a stupid polarity of a bulb issue.

[@STR8SICCC]

*I went through this same issue, but the dash ALREADY had LED's they were just dim. I "upgraded" to brighter LED's. My dash now doesn't light up at all, as well as losing power to my radio*

[@SimplyMustGo]

Oh man. No idea why the radio is losing power except it sounds like a bad ground somewhere. 🤷‍♂️

[@STR8SICCC]

@@SimplyMustGo yeah, it's the whole dash and radio, except for the turn signals etc 😥

[@aniasanga4360]

Hey! Just got a YJ too. How do you manage cables underneath the dash?

[@SimplyMustGo]

The best I can… haha. Mostly with zip ties

[@DocWrangler]

Seems like things go sideways some days, good job getting it done!

[@SimplyMustGo]

Thanks!

[@robertomora]

Great content man! I wanted to ask a question. I have a 1995 Jeep yj that I purchased with a non operating speedometer and odometer. My turn signals on the dash don’t come on either. I tried changing the speedometer sensor but that didn’t change anything. Does anyone know what my issues could be?

[@SimplyMustGo]

Thank you!! 🙏🏻. I wish I had a good answer for you. But I’m still learning a lot of this stuff myself.

[@ironash20]

Pull the speedo/tach cluster out and inspect the circuit board on the back. The copper circuits may be corroded. If that is the case you can either find a good cluster and use it to replace the whole thing or swap circuit boards. If you really need to you can use normal wire at certain screw points to bypass the corroded circuits. I had to use the bypass method before and it fixed it just fine.

[@martyb661]

So which auto part store had the $40 dash dimmer switch? And do you have the part number for it? I have a 1990 that needs one.

[@SimplyMustGo]

It was O’ Riley’s. But i through a link to the right one on Amazon in the description.

[@martyb661]

@@SimplyMustGo awesome! Just ordered one. The blank space in the dash and the dangling wire rattling around is annoying.

[@mikeboley8488]

Any chance you would be willing to share the magic part number for the dimmer switch? I've got my YJ torn apart doing the same thing and was going to go ahead and replace my switch while I was at it. I appreciate the videos!

[@SimplyMustGo]

Yes! amzn.to/3krcfZj

[@mikeboley8488]

@@SimplyMustGo I appreciate that! I've been going through all of the wiring behind the dash and figuring out what goes where and making sure everything is buttoned up properly. I've read every wiring diagram made for this thing and I have one wire I can't identify. It comes out of the main harness by the fuse panel and is just a single yellow wire with a red or orange stripe and a connector on the end of it. It's maybe 6-8" long. For the life of me I can't figure out where it's supposed to go or what it's for. If you happen to know, I'd love to learn!

[@SimplyMustGo]

@@mikeboley8488 Humm. I don’t know off the top of my head but I’ll check both of my YJs and see if I have that and see what it might be. If you want, DM me on Instagram and send me a pick of it. I’ll be in the garage all day tomorrow working on her.

[@MelloDePalmaPennington]

Learning as I go too!!!!

[@startmoneymotorsports]

i have the same problem going on right now cant wait til tomorrow to try and fix it but my speedo flashes with my right turn signal now so i gotta figure out that issue now too

[@SimplyMustGo]

Oh man! Let me know if that helped!

[@startmoneymotorsports]

@@SimplyMustGo fixed the problem, speedo still flashes with the turn signal but im chalking that up as a new *quirk* to the jeep for now.

[@MrDanyoumell]

Nice work- thank you for the video!

[@SimplyMustGo]

Thank you!

[@-_-John-_-]

✅️

[@AliceGutierrez-x4u]

Walker Karen Wilson Sharon Martin Mark

[@GregoryEarl-t8r]

Thomas Donna Thomas Maria Hall Elizabeth

[@JesseBurtone]

Walker Susan Harris David Taylor Kimberly

[@HicksEmmanuel-p5y]

Rodriguez Margaret Gonzalez Jessica Lewis Amy

[@skeptic3332]

I'm ugly and old and beat up. That's no reason to toss a working part.

[@DraganAss]

What was the part number that you ended up purchasing for the Dimmer Switch/instrument light rheostat? I am having the same problem ordering a new one from my parts stores/Amazon. I found used ones on EBay but would rather have a new part if I’m paying the money.

[@BigBalledBastard]

Dude, your dragging this shit out… I had to bounce