I have a 2000 LE, 4-cylinder, automatic transmission. Yesterday I noticed that there is no indicator light (bright green box) around the letter D on the instrument panel when I put the transmission into drive. I don't know how long it has been this way. The indicator light works for park, reverse, neutral, second gear, and low gear. Is there a separate bulb for each gear on the instrument panel? Or is it possible that something else is not working correctly.

I do not think this affects anything as far as driveability of the vehicle, safety, reliability or anything like that. Please tell me if I am wrong. But I would like to fix it because I am **** like that. Will it be a major PITA?

 

On older Carmy each letter had its own bulb that could be changed. Would assume the same for this Generation.

It is just a bulb, does nothing to effect trans or engine operation.

You need to remove the instrument cluster then remove and replace the bulb. I have no idea what type the bulb is used and picked mine up at the Toyota dealer for a few dollars rather then run around finding one.

The "D" bulb burning out is a common issue because it is the bulb that is ON the most.

There is face plate finish panel around the cluster that needs to be removed. Look up and under front of the cluster to find 2 screws. Remove the screws.

The face plate panel is held in place by 6 plastic tabs molded into the finish panel around the edges. Looks like 4 are at the bottom of the panel and one at each far end upper "wing" of the panel.

Use a flat screw drivers with a taped blade to prevent damaging the panel and CAREFULLY and SLOWLY pry out the panel around these tab locations. I would start at the bottom.

Once the panel is off the combo meter should be exposed. Not sure if the cluster is held in place by a couple of screws, etc. but the meter comes out as a complete unit. As I recall the wiring harnesses plugged into the back of the unit.

The bulb had a twist lock base on the older models. The bulbs are stacked up veritcally.

The manual shows the steering wheel removed but this was not required on older generations. Just work around it.

The job appears a little complicated at first but actual time spent was not that much once figuring out how to take off the finish panel.

If you have ever taken off the finish panel around the radio, this is the same kind of screw driver prying action as the cluster finish panel.