When driving at night, you depend on the instrument panel lights to illuminate your instrument cluster. Without this illumination, it would be impossible to see the speedometer and other important gauges on your Toyota 4Runner's dash. If you turn your headlights on, and the the instrument cluster isn't illuminated, first check to ensure that the instrument panel dimmer control isn't turned down too low. If the dimmer is set properly, you should suspect a burned out instrument panel bulb. Changing the bulb should take you about 20 minutes.
Disconnect the negative battery cable. This is a precaution you should take anytime you are working with your 4Runner's electrical system, and especially when you are working near the airbag.
Remove the three screws that attach the lower-left finish panel. This is the panel directly to the left and below the steering wheel. Pull off the panel.
Use a small flat screwdriver to pry off the ignition switch bezel. This is the plastic trim that surrounds the ignition.
Remove the four screws that attach the instrument cluster bezel. There are two screws in the top of the instrument panel. There is one screw to the left of the steering wheel, which you will see when you remove the lower-left finish panel. There is one additional screw to the right of the steering wheel, which you will reveal when you remove the ignition bezel. Pull the instrument cluster bezel off the instrument panel.
Remove the four instrument cluster retaining screws. There is one at each top corner of the instrument panel, and there are two along the bottom edge of the panel, each approximately two inches in from the edge. Pull the instrument cluster back away from the dash. There is no need to disconnect it from the electrical harness to change the bulb.
Rotate the bulb socket counterclockwise to unlock it from the housing, and pull it out. Pull the old bulb straight out, and replace it with a new one. Insert the bulb socket back into the housing, and rotate it clockwise to lock it into place.
Put the instrument cluster back into place and replace the four retaining screws.
Place the instrument cluster bezel back over the instrument cluster, and replace the four retaining screws.
Snap the ignition bezel back into place.
Replace the lower-left finish panel and replace the three retaining screws.
Reattach the negative battery cable.
