How-To: Replacing Instrument Cluster Lights
#1
How-To: Replacing Instrument Cluster Lights
Follow these instructions, and pictures to change the instrument cluster bulbs on a Ranger (mine is a 1999, I'm not sure on what years will be the same).
It takes 6 194LL light bulbs, go ahead and change all 6 while the instrument cluster is out.
Step #1 Using a 7mm socket, remove the 2 screws holding the radio bezel
Step #2 Pull radio bezel out slightly
Step #3 Using 7mm socket, remove 4 screws holding kick-panel below steering wheel. Note: 2 screws are under hood release handle
Step #4 Drop hood release bracket and pull kick panel out
Step #5 Using 8mm socket, remove 4 of the 5 screws holding kick panel metal brace
Step #6 Just loosen 5th screw in kick panel metal brace enough to drop brace to clear bottom 2 screws in instrument cluster bezel
Step #7 Using 7mm socket, remove bottom 2 screws in instrment cluster bezel
Step #8 Using 7mm socket, remove top 3 screws in instrument cluster bezel
Step #9 With tilt steering wheel, drop to lowest position. Also pull tranny shifter to "1" position (if automatic). Note: Make sure emergency brake is set! Pull Instrument cluster out from the
top
Step #10 Using 7mm socket, remove 4 screws holding instrment cluster
Step #11 Gently pull instrument cluster out from the right side, far enough to reach the 3 electrical connectors. Electrical connectors have release tabs to push in before pulling
connectors:
Step #12 Instrument cluster lights are in black caps. Turn caps counter-clockwise to remove light bulbs
Step #13 Light bulbs pull out of black caps
Reassemble in opposite direction
It takes 6 194LL light bulbs, go ahead and change all 6 while the instrument cluster is out.
Step #1 Using a 7mm socket, remove the 2 screws holding the radio bezel
Step #2 Pull radio bezel out slightly
Step #3 Using 7mm socket, remove 4 screws holding kick-panel below steering wheel. Note: 2 screws are under hood release handle
Step #4 Drop hood release bracket and pull kick panel out
Step #5 Using 8mm socket, remove 4 of the 5 screws holding kick panel metal brace
Step #6 Just loosen 5th screw in kick panel metal brace enough to drop brace to clear bottom 2 screws in instrument cluster bezel
Step #7 Using 7mm socket, remove bottom 2 screws in instrment cluster bezel
Step #8 Using 7mm socket, remove top 3 screws in instrument cluster bezel
Step #9 With tilt steering wheel, drop to lowest position. Also pull tranny shifter to "1" position (if automatic). Note: Make sure emergency brake is set! Pull Instrument cluster out from the
top
Step #10 Using 7mm socket, remove 4 screws holding instrment cluster
Step #11 Gently pull instrument cluster out from the right side, far enough to reach the 3 electrical connectors. Electrical connectors have release tabs to push in before pulling
connectors:
Step #12 Instrument cluster lights are in black caps. Turn caps counter-clockwise to remove light bulbs
Step #13 Light bulbs pull out of black caps
Reassemble in opposite direction
Last edited by 98liftedranger; 11-27-2011 at 10:04 PM.
The following 4 users liked this post by Takeda:
#4
The following users liked this post:
fernando8877 (01-18-2022)
#8
EDIT: Additional searching found me a thread on another forum where someone said they are 74's. They certainly look correct. Anybody?
Last edited by firebirdude; 02-22-2012 at 05:53 PM.
#9
I'm wondering the same things. Though my Ranger is a little older (97), it uses two different bulbs. 194 for general gauge backlighting and many tiny bulbs for each of the service lights (ABS, Check Engine, Seatbelt, etc,etc). Anyone know what size these tiny bulbs are?
EDIT: Additional searching found me a thread on another forum where someone said they are 74's. They certainly look correct. Anybody?
EDIT: Additional searching found me a thread on another forum where someone said they are 74's. They certainly look correct. Anybody?
#11
#16
http://www.ebay.com/itm/190671182260...t_12094wt_1270
Just bought these will try to get them in the dash as soon as they arrive and get pics for you all. Should look pretty cool when done
Just bought these will try to get them in the dash as soon as they arrive and get pics for you all. Should look pretty cool when done
#17
#18
Great instructions and helped us solve our problems with burnt-out bulbs in our 2000 Ranger. Thanks!
Unfortunately, during the bulb replacement something broke with the shift indicator, and I did not catch it until the dash was reassembled. Something else to fix now, and this one I really don't like :(
Unfortunately, during the bulb replacement something broke with the shift indicator, and I did not catch it until the dash was reassembled. Something else to fix now, and this one I really don't like :(
#20
#21
Still should be 6. Buy 6 or 8 and return any extras. Or keep them around....your glove box, dome light, front corner lights, and license plate lights all take the same clear #194 bulb as your gauge cluster.
#24
1998 Ford Ranger instrument panel illumination LED polarities
Here are the LED polarities for my 1998 ford ranger.
https://flic.kr/p/qvUC9i
https://flic.kr/p/qvUC9i
#25
Ok So I don't think my Dash lights are the problem for my truck, 98 ranger. They all went out at the same time and weren't really showing any fade. I do not have fuse #11 under the hood so that shouldn't be the problem if it has worked the whole time. I also replaced fuse 26 in the drivers side door. I need to check the other fuses in the glove box.
If it is not the fuses or the bulbs, what is the name of the relay I need to replace?
If it is not the fuses or the bulbs, what is the name of the relay I need to replace?