All, a couple of my dashboard lights appear to be out. How do I go about removing the dash, and/or is replacing the lights something I can do with limited experience?

Thanks in advance!

David Knapp

Only a couple?Lot of us have just 2 or so left working.I would hold off till it becomes a safety issuebut you will have to take aprt the dash-not easy.Instructions may be forthcoming

I'll double check, but I think there ought to be 2 on the speedo - and the bottom one is out, and there's another on the left that's out, and the right another one is out. I'll see if I can take a pic tonite and maybe get some advice - it's difficult to see the gauges, and the days are getting shorter. I've never seen an original dash, so I'm not really sure how it's supposed to look.

dbk

If they are the ones behind the spedo, thats a differnt story, thats like a module thing, i dont think theres bulbs behind the speedo you can replace, does any one else know what im talking about?

I can't imagine it taking longer then a few hours to replace the bulbs. I can have my instrument cluster apart in 15 minutes. Granted I have a 92' but still how much harder can it be? Also I have yet to have a bulb burn out and I've had it for 3 years. Since I got new gauge overlays I'll be switching over to blue
led's in the next day or two. Just make sure you have a good set of tools, including torx bits!

Meatloaf

Sounds like it's time then.I hate to take aprt thedash when it's been secure for so long.Rattles and maybe breaking a plastic piece and all.I have only 2 bulbs left working.I can still see it fine however-the speedometer that is.Can't see the temp or alt.Those little bulbs put out some real heat if they aren't dimmed down some.Temp control/fan selector area gets HOT when bulbs are full on.Press your thumb on the area and see what I mean.

you don't have to pull the dash like you would for a heater core, just remove the trim peices to either side of the steering wheel and then the black trim around the instrument cluster. then remove the screws holding the cluster and disconnect the shifter indicator and the cluster will come out. sometimes the lights aren't burned out, they just don't have a good connection.

last weekend i took apart my dash to swap in a 140mph speedo and some custom gauge overlays. it was easy. the trim peices just pull off then there are 8 bolts that you have to remove to get to the gauge cluster. 4 more bolts to remove the gauge cluster. once you have that out there are a bunch of little screws you have to remove to get to the bulbs.

Changing dash bulbs

Change one, change them all. The bulbs are kinda pricey ($4/2 around here) but may as well, since the dash is apart anyway.

Perfecto -thanks all!

Any reason why I shouldn't get these:
CEC wedge 194LL

You can if you want, but I prefer Sylvania 194LL bulbs. They tend to last longer than most others - and you don't exactly want to be doing this again anytime soon

I took apart my dash, and replaced the lights - 2 questions though - I believe one of the connectors on the left came out and I might not have put it back 100 percent properly - now my low fuel light is on with half a tank - does it sound likely that the problem is that plastic connector not making contact with the correct pin?

Also, under the trim to the left of the steering wheel I found 2 connectors - 1 black and one white - not connected to anything. Wondering what they are, if they are useful, and if I can/should hook them up to anything?

Thanks!

The low fuel light is controlled by the anti-slosh module on the back of the cluster. Make sure all connections and the anti-slosh s firmly seated.


The connectors on the left of the steering wheel on 01+ are for the optional traction control and optional power adjustable pedals.

Thanks! I'm going to see how the cluster looks tonite before I deem it necessary to tear the whole thing down again. I was able to follow your instructions except for the pulling off the speedo/transmission indicator. I wasn't sure how to do that, so I just left it in place and tilted it so I could get to the lamps to replace them. Took a pair of pliers to get most of them out, but apparently i almost put everything back correctly

dbk