Removing the Instrument Cluster on 2nd Generation (2005- 2015) Toyota Tacoma

Here is an unexpected automotive tutorial after an epically failed attempt to perform a transmission service. (How on earth do those two things relate, Faye?! you may ask...) Alright, so here's why:
This generation Tacoma doesn't have a transmission dipstick on the 5-speed automatic transmission that's mated to the 4.0l V6 (1GR-FE) engine. Why, Toyota, whyyyy!?!?! :'(( They claim that the transmission has "lifetime fluid" ... seriously? C'mon, gimme a break. Any fluid that is lubricating a closed system with wearable parts (and duh, there are a whole lotta little friction plates in there) is gonna get contaminated with little chunks of that friction material, and any fluid that is lubricating a system that gets very hot (and hey, this is a transmission that's right next to the exhaust system, and also we are in Texas - shit be gettin' HOT) will have burnt fluid. So, anyways, Ol' Faithful reached 120k miles, and so it was time to change her transmission fluid, along with all the other maintenance items that go along with 120k.
So, anyways, in place of a dipstick on this transmission, there is a check plug at the bottom of the oil pan. You remove the plug, and after a service, you should have filled it up just enough that a little fluid drips out, and then it stops dripping, and then you know that you have reached the proper level.
Like we would expect, (since most of us are probably used to seeing our transmission dipsticks where there is a "hot" and "cold" setting, we know that) transmission fluid changes volume with heat, so you have to get this transmission in a very specific temperature range in order to read the level accurately.
Now that I no longer work at Toyota, I no longer have access to Techstream. Techstream is the special Toyota-specific diagnostic software, and it reads live data so much more in depth than the average scan tool. Anyways, I used to use it for the transmission temperature check.
Since I don't have this option anymore, I did a little research and discovered that there is a way to get the transmission to enter a diagnostic check mode, by jumping the 4 and 13 pin on the DLC, and performing a series of 6 shifts from drive to neutral, drive to neutral, the "AT OIL TEMP" light will turn on for 2 seconds to let you know it has entered the check mode, then it will turn on permanently when it is in proper temp range, and then will flash if it gets too hot for the check..... pretty sweet, right!? I thought all my fears had been washed away when I read this TacomaWorld forum post.
Well, lemme tellya folks.... I did this sequence a million times over and I couldn't get this thing to enter the check mode.
Then, I turned my key to accessory mode, and I realized, MY LIGHT DOESN'T EVEN TURN ON in ACC mode for the AT OIL TEMP.... what the heck?!!? I called the dealer to ask if I had this option on the 2008 PreRunner, and after calling 4 local dealerships, no one could tell me....
SO, I figured the only way that I could know for sure was to remove the instrument cluster, take it apart, and visually inspect the cluster for the LED. THUS, THIS TUTORIAL WAS BORN!!!!!
Alas, there was no LED in that spot. This truck doesn't have that option. Sigh. So, now I know that some PreRunners aren't that fancy. I will have to come up with another way to perform the transmission service, but at least I got another bonus tutorial video out of the deal!
Stay tuned for when I finally figure out how I am going to tackle the transmission service - the right way. (Yes I know I can just drain the fluid out, measure it, and then put the same amount back in, but that's assuming that the last person to service it left it at the correct level, and I don't trust anyone!)
So, for anyone who needs to replace a component of their dash, or swap LED colors, here's a great place to start!
Enjoy, y'all!
Please let me know if you liked this video, and gimme a thumbs up and a subscribe if you want to see more!
-Faye :)
IG: @pistonsandpixiedust
www.pistonsandpixiedustcom