GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Hey guys, I don't have any lights on my speedometer, or at least their not working.  I've got light for the tach, just no speed.  A little tricky at night!  Any ideas?  I'm not sure how to change the "bulb" or if you can without changing the whole speedometer array.  Any ideas are welcome.

funny, my speedometer light went out a couple of days ago too.  shouldn't be too difficult to fix, just get a replacement bulb.

Yeah just a bulb replacement.  But you have to take the instrument surround (black thing on back of instruments) off to get at them, which is a minor PITA.

Quote from: JamesGYeah just a bulb replacement.  But you have to take the instrument surround (black thing on back of instruments) off to get at them, which is a minor PITA.

Is the operation in the Clymer manual? :dunno:

Think so. Should have a parts diagram at least.  

Its not really complicated. 4 little acorn nuts on the back of the instrument assembly. Take black cover off. pry the rubber boot with wires hanging out on the dark instrument (don't pull on the wires!). Replace bulb. Put everything back the way it was.  The hardest part for me has always been not losing those little #@!@#! acorn nuts.
:)

there's a diagram and instructions on disassembly/assembly in the Clymer.  Like a lot of things in there, it looks more complicated than it is.

Quote from: raylarrabeeLike a lot of things in there, it looks more complicated than it is.

I agree.  Change the tchometer bulb at the same time.  The Suzuki parts guy mentioned that the new replacement bulbs are a lot better than the stock bulbs.  Mine replacement bulbs have lasted over 10,000 miles as opposed to one of the stock ones that burned out after about 6,000 miles.

Quote from: mp183

Quote from: raylarrabeeLike a lot of things in there, it looks more complicated than it is.

I agree.  Change the tchometer bulb at the same time.  The Suzuki parts guy mentioned that the new replacement bulbs are a lot better than the stock bulbs.  Mine replacement bulbs have lasted over 10,000 miles as opposed to one of the stock ones that burned out after about 6,000 miles.

Even better - replace them with LEDs - they'll last longer and eat up less current....

  D.

Here you go:

http://pantablo500.tripod.com/pablosgs500page/id35.html

Very easy....I had the same problem and changed both the spedo and tach a couple of months ago...and yes I changed them both to red led's....much nicer.  Good luck.

Wayne

What type of led`s bulbs fit,?.

          :cheers: Tony

One of my bulbs went out and I matched them up(# on bulb was off by one)compared to label on bulbs from Wal-Mart automotive section. They work fine and are slightly brighter. Cheap too. :thumb:

Could anyone please mention the type (i.e. specific bulb) of LED bulb thats being referred to in this post as the replacement.

I was just going to get a 12V, 1.7W bulb as my replacement if I could find one in an auto parts store, but I prefer LED's if I
can find the specific type.

Thanks

When I replaced mine, mostly for my own personal look, not really out of necessity, I replaced all of the indicator lights as well as both the tach and speedo.

Here's a previous post I made...

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LEDs
I didn't author a thread myself, but I can throw you a few useful links.  I mean, if there's enough general request, I could write up a simple walkthrough, it's really not that bad.
Basically they were just plug-n-play.  All you have to do is pretty much remove and disassemble the entire gauge unit on the front of the bike.  All the wires stay attached, and you simply remove the rubber boots and swap out the bulb for the LED.
Overall I'm very impressed with the look of the LEDs in the bike.  They're much brighter, and I can actually see them during the daylight.  The gauges look so sweet and it makes me love night riding even more, haha.

Notes: The blue indicator light is a single LED.  It would be very uncomfortable to be riding at night with 6-LEDs blaring at you.  The single LED in blue really shows up well enough on its own.
The neutral light will be partially on and visible during the night. You barely notice it, but there is some light there.  During the day, you won't notice a difference.  It will also illuminate as you shift from first to second or second to first for a fraction of a second.

Walkthrough:http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=23589.msg395322#msg395322 (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=23589.msg395322#msg395322)
LED Distributor: www.SuperBrightLEDs.com (http://www.superbrightleds.com)

Gauge LEDs:
2x  Blue WLED-B5 WLED-x5 LED Wide Angle LED bulb $ 2.99 (each)
Indicator Lights:
1x  Red WLED-R6 WLED-x6 LED bulb $ 2.79 (each)
1x  Amber WLED-A6 WLED-x6 LED bulb $ 2.79 (each)
1x  Green WLED-G6 WLED-x6 LED bulb $ 2.79 (each)
1x  Blue WLED-B-x 90-Degree WLED-x-x LED bulb $ 0.79 (each)

$18.39 + $5 shipping = $23.39 total.  Not too shabby.

I'm thinking I go with LEDs all-around soon.  Once I figure out the right LEDs and how the resistors work, I think I'll go for it.  Overall, I am very impressed with the LEDs.

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I'm gonna see if I can't find these at an auto store nearby, tommorrow.

As much as I order stuff online, I hate it.  I prefer to buy at a store, but more often than not
it's getting harder to find stuff in store now.

Quote from: spotswood_suzuki on July 28, 2004, 05:45:38 PM
Here you go:

http://pantablo500.tripod.com/pablosgs500page/id35.html

Very easy....I had the same problem and changed both the spedo and tach a couple of months ago...and yes I changed them both to red led's....much nicer.  Good luck.

Wayne

Here's the corrected link http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id35.html

Michael

I changed all my speedo, tach, and indicator bulbs recently on my 02 GS.  I use a 194 bulb available at Walmart or any auto parts store for all of them.  It's a little bright for the blue high beam indicator light but just right for all the rest.  I put the same 194 bulbs in my 97 GS a few years ago.

You can just remove the drive cable and take the 2 acorn nuts from the bottom of the tach and lift it out far enough to change the bulb.  For the speedo you can do the same if you first remove the reset knob.  Use small jewelers size approx phillips screwdriver down the hole in the center of the knob to remove screw and knob.