90RunnerRed

So I just got a '97 Ltd 4Runner, automatic. I've noticed the gear indicator doesn't light up at night when I turn the lights on. Is it supposed to?

Rescue84

On the dash or by the shifter itself? Both should light up, on my 00 Ltd the indicators by the shifter weren't lighting up, it's as simple as popping up the trim piece around it and replacing one tiny little bulb... not sure of the part # but if you take it to the parts counter at the stealership they'll have no problem taking your money.

90RunnerRed

The ones by the shifter. Thanks! I will do that.

idodgimus

aaah, gotta love 'search'

can someone give me a hint as to how to pop this piece off?
i've been searching around with a flashlight to find a starting point for the 'popping' but nothing looks obvious or wants to give without a hard yank...

i'm kinda wearing about just yanking at it unless i know its the right spot\
(said the actress to the bishop)

ta!

Elton

it should pop right off i believe its a #74 bulb

idodgimus

i'm not sure where to start prying tho...

there's a thing plastic plastic piece right over the gear indicators?
or the bigger piece surrounding the whole shifter?

maybe i'll just pop the whole console off and take a peek

Godzilla

Not sure which part is giving you the problems. The actual console part or the shifter part. Attached is a link that will help if its the console trim part.
hell, if you are close I'll give you a hand if you need.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f127...acement-70183/

idodgimus

after seeing that i remember how it looked when i installed the stereo...
on the 3rd pic down you can see the black plastic part that has the actual gear indicators on? i think i need to get that bit off

Godzilla

I had do change that like 4yrs ago and dont remember how i did it now!. I have a 99ltd too so i can go check in a few to see if it sparks my memory.

Godzilla

ok, so if you have good fingers then you do not need to remove anything further. slip your fingers under the shifter from the steering wheel side. In the middle area you will feel a wire coming up to a plastic piece with ridges. You can just twist that and pull down and the bulb and socket should come down. replace the bulb and do the same thing but reverse. have some patience and it should go smooth.

idodgimus

sorted, thanks!

the no.74 bulb was a bit big, but a little tweaking and it worked out ok.

Godzilla

Good stuff. Did you need to remove the screws on the selector panel or did you just do the hand contortion?

idodgimus

i took the screws out... it was sunday, no rush

Benleslie

i am having the same problem with my 97 4Runner how did you get the #74 bulb to fit?

Malcolm99

A little late, mind you this was dug up from 2009 as your first post, so really late.., but bulb #74 is incorrect for the PRND21 light, you need bulb #2721, just went through this, #74 is to long and bottoms out making it so you cannot lock it in position, (different suppliers may vary in bulb size slightly) and the base of the bulb is a bit to big but will jam into the socket and light up but not advisable.