Instrument cluster nighttime bulbs

[BigDaddy]

Does anyone know how to go about replacing a night time instrument cluster backgroud light bulb? I see in the owners manual the light bulb number it calls for but no instructions as to how to replace it.

[DSMLVR]

I hope this helps. It is from the 2002 Service Manual. It would be easier to read if you print this out. Good Luck

First- Remove Inst. Cluster:

REMOVAL

WITH ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION RANGE

INDICATOR

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable.

(2) Remove Over Steering Column Bezel by lifting

it straight up with a firm pull.

(3) Remove the four cluster bezel attaching screws.

(4) Tilt the steering column in the full down posi-tion.

(5) Pull rearward on the cluster bezel and remove.

(6) Remove the four screws holding instrument

cluster to instrument panel.

(7) Rotate top of cluster outward.

(8) Disconnect the cluster harness connector.

(9) Remove instrument cluster from instrument

panel.

WITH MECHANICAL TRANSMISSION RANGE

INDICATOR

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable.

(2) Remove the lower steering column cover. Refer

to Body, Instrument Panel, Lower Steering Column

Cover, Removal.

(3) Remove the plastic knee blocker reinforcement.

Refer to Body, Instrument Panel, Knee Blocker Rein-forcement,

Removal.

(4) Disconnect the transmission range indicator

cable end from shift lever by flexing the HOOP on

the transmission shift cable rearward and slip the

indicator cable loop off the lever pin.

(5) Disconnect the clip holding the indicator cable

to the mounting bracket.

(6) Remove Over Steering Column Bezel by lifting

it straight up with a firm pull.

(7) Remove the four bezel attaching screws.

(8) Tilt the steering column in the full down posi-tion.

(9) Pull rearward on the cluster bezel and remove.

(10) Remove the four cluster attaching screws.

(11) Rotate top of the cluster rearward.

(12) Disconnect the cluster harness connector.

(13) Remove the instrument cluster carefully while

guiding the range indicator cable and guide tube

through the opening to avoid any damage.



To Change Bulbs:

CLUSTER ILLUMINATION
LAMPS

REMOVAL

(1) Remove the Instrument Cluster. Refer to Elec-trical,

Instrument Cluster, Removal.

(2) Turn over cluster and expose the illumination

bulb sockets.

(3) Identify which bulb is defective and twist it out

of the cluster using a counterclockwise motion.

INSTALLATION

(1) Install the new bulb socket into the cluster

using a clockwise motion.

(2) Install the Instrument Cluster. Refer to Electri-cal,

Instrument Cluster, Installation.

(2) Using a flat bladed tool, pry off the lamp lens.

(3) Remove bulb from lamp.



To Reinstall the cluster:



INSTALLATION

WITH ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION RANGE

INDICATOR

(1) Connect the instrument cluster wire connector.

(2) Rotate top of cluster inward as placing into

instrument panel opening.

(3) Install the four screws holding instrument clus-ter

to instrument panel.

(4) Position cluster bezel into place.

(5) Install the four bezel attaching screws.

(6) Install the Over Steering Column Bezel by

firmly snapping into place.

(7) Connect the battery negative cable.

WITH MECHANICAL TRANSMISSION RANGE

INDICATOR

(1) Guide the range indicator cable and guide tube

through the opening of instrument panel.

(2) Connect the instrument cluster wire connector.

(3) Rotate top of cluster inward as placing into

instrument panel opening.

(4) Install the four screws holding instrument clus-ter

to instrument panel.

(5) Position cluster bezel into place.

(6) Install the four bezel attaching screws.

(7) Install the Over Steering Column Bezel by

firmly snapping into place.

(8) Connect the clip holding the indicator cable to

the mounting bracket.

(9) Connect the transmission range indicator cable

end to the shift lever by flexing the HOOP on the

transmission shift cable forward and slip the indica-tor

cable loop on the lever pin.

(10) Install the plastic knee blocker reinforcement.

Refer to Body, Instrument Panel, Knee Blocker Rein-forcement,

Installation.

(11) Install the lower steering column cover. Refer

to Body, Instrument Panel, Lower Steering Column

Cover, Installation.

(12) Connect the battery negative cable.

[BigDaddy]

Thank you so much for that shop manual info!!

The operation was a big success. It is a very easy job to do once you get the "Over SteeringColumn Bezel" off. It unsnaps from the front edge and rocks upward. It took quite a bit of force to bust it loose.

I didn't have to unplug the wiring harness. There was enough slack to get to the bulb sockets on the rear of the cluster. I figured it would be better to leave it alone if I didn't really need to unplug it.

THANKS AGAIN!!

[DSMLVR]

Glad the info helped. I definitely agree with you on this:

I didn't have to unplug the wiring harness. There was enough slack to get to the bulb sockets on the rear of the cluster. I figured it would be better to leave it alone if I didn't really need to unplug it.

[Zuul24]

I tend to replace ALL the bulbs at the same time when I have to go in there.

I actually have been quite lucky. The only car I remember having the dash lights go out on was my 77 Ford Granada (first one.)

The lights were always so dim that I had them all the way up.

In my Satty, I keep them down so low that you can only see them in total darkness. I really HATE bright dash lights. That may be why mine have lasted so long because they are never all the way up.

Even my high beam indicator is annoyingly bright. I am not happy with where it is on the Caravan. Directly in my line of sight.

Chas

[BABYGRAND]

Thank you so much for that shop manual info!!

The operation was a big success. It is a very easy job to do once you get the "Over SteeringColumn Bezel" off. It unsnaps from the front edge and rocks upward. It took quite a bit of force to bust it loose.

I didn't have to unplug the wiring harness. There was enough slack to get to the bulb sockets on the rear of the cluster. I figured it would be better to leave it alone if I didn't really need to unplug it.

THANKS AGAIN!!

You didn't happen to notice the type of bulb used? I want to change mine from green to blue LED if possible.

[DSMLVR]

I agree on replacing all the bulbs as long as you are in there. I also keep my brightness level 'LOW' when driving. I have never had a bulb go out on me, YET.

[BigDaddy]

I tend to replace ALL the bulbs at the same time when I have to go in there.

Yes I agree that would be the best approach.

You didn't happen to notice the type of bulb used? I want to change mine from green to blue LED if possible.

The owners manual said PC74 which comes with a new base socket. I used a 74 bulb which has no socket. I was able to pry the blown bulb out of it's socket (it was soldered in) and replace it with a plain 74 bulb. The only reason I tried this was that I had a 74 left over from replacing a cup holder illumination bulb in my Saturn.

The color of both the factory and my replacement bulb are clear. The green color apparently comes from the instrument cluster. I'm not sure what you could do to make it blue.

[DSMLVR]

BABYGRAND, You may have problems doing that. In the OLD DAYS they used to put a cover (rubber,slipped over the bulb) to do the green color of the dash. Now , I believe that the bulb pops into the hole and a green plastic shield is around the bulb,part of the panel. You may have alot of trouble trying to change the color of the instrument panel lights.
Good Luck

[BABYGRAND]

BABYGRAND, You may have problems doing that. In the OLD DAYS they used to put a cover (rubber,slipped over the bulb) to do the green color of the dash. Now , I believe that the bulb pops into the hole and a green plastic shield is around the bulb,part of the panel. You may have alot of trouble trying to change the color of the instrument panel lights.
Good Luck

Thanks, I do recall those coloured caps that they use to have, you may be right the guage faces themselves may already have the green film otherwise they would look white with the lights off.