Change dashboard lights on a 83800-02750 instrument panel

[04E12Corolla]

Hello,

I have some burnt bulbs and I want to change them. I looked at online tutorials and got the instrument panel out. The problem is that in the tutorials the bulbs can be directly removed. Nothing is covering them. On my instrument panel there is a black plastic cover on the back and I don't know how to remove it so I can access the bulbs.

I have a 2004 hatchback Corolla. The link below shows the model of my Corolla:

https://autodata24.com/toyota/corolla/corolla-hatch-e12/16-i-16v-110-hp/details

The link below shows the back of the instrument panel:

http://www.cuadrosdigitales.es/WebRoot/StoreES2/Shops/62058097/4DFA/2C27/888E/62C7/9A0B/C0A8/28B9/F492/IMG_0023wtmk.JPG

There are 9 round holes and a 4 square ones. One round hole has the end of the rod that controls the trip mileage and the other 8 have a white clamp with 4 small claws and a pin in the middle of them. I pressed down on the pins to release the grip of the claws but it still does not come out. The 4 square holes have a metal clip each connected to the circuit board. I moved them so they don't hold the circuit board and I still can't open it. 

I tried sticking a flat screwdriver and applying a little bit of force but I was afraid I might damaged something and I stopped.

How do I access the light bulbs? Any help would be appreciated.  

[04E12Corolla]

I figured it out and in case someone will have to do this I will try to explain how to do it. The instrument panel mentioned in the title has SMD LEDs not bulbs with a plastic socket that you twist to insert. My problem was that the previous owner covered some LEDs with electrical tape to hide faults.

To get access to the LEDs you have to remove the front of the instrument panel. That's easy. No screws, just press on the pieces of plastic that are on the edges. The dials are printed on one piece of plastic fixed with double sided tape to the instrument dial frame. Remove the 4 indicator needles by twisting and pulling. You can find tutorials on youtube. I used a sharp blade to gently remove the plastic that has the dials printed on them. Remove the screws that hold the black back cover. Move the 4 metal clips mentioned in the previous post to release the small display that shows the mileage. That's it.

The 8 white clamps are for the motors that move the indicator needles. You don't have to touch them.     

[RazzerRazor]

Top work buddy👍 I have the white t sport dials and would of loved blue LEDs! 

But don't fancy taking the needles off etc. I've swapped the centre console (a few times now from the old green) don't mind doing that. But the speedo....nah. Not for me 

Brave man and needs must 😉

[JoroKirilov]

Hi. I have the same problem. I want to change my dash light , but i can't get to bulbs. Can u help me with picture or video how can i remove the black back of the panel and get the lambs ?