Check the back side of your headlight switch. Give it a good push to make sure everything is still connected. I had my instrument cluster lights, all of them, go out suddenly. I also lost my clearance lights and tail lights at the same time. After checking all the fuses with a multimeter and swapping relays around, I pushed the wiring harness connector on the back of the headlight switch, and everything works now.

 

ok I'll try that today and see what happens.

 

3 of the 6 pins on my original headlight switch were burnt out. After replacing the old with the new, my headlights work, tail lights, 3 indicator lights (off, parking lights, and head lights) by the headlight **** do work.

Dash lights do not work still. Could all have my dash lights, not the warning lights, have shorted and all 6 bulbs need to be replaced?

If not the dash light bulbs which part of the wiring harness should I inspect next?

I am going to double check the fuses too.

 

Your pictures and instructions for changing dash bulbs was extremely helpful, did the entire process in less than 75 minutes. Viewed the site prior to going to auto store to pick up the bulbs only had one problem. I found your site looking for how to get my check engine light replaced and your directions did not mention that there were other bulbs on the dash, the white connectors have small bulbs and the black ones take the 194 listed on pictures. Put the 6 new bulbs in for the dash lights found the check engine still out, switched the bulb from the gas cap to the check engine this worked. Took truck back to emissions test center, passed the test, good for two more years.

 

I have a lot of lights out in my cluster. I'll be getting them to fix it soon. Thank you for the close up view.

 

I wanted to note that I just finished replacing the bulbs in my 2003 XL 2.3L and everything is exactly the same as in Post #1.

 

That looks so nice. Can't wait till I get my lights in.

 

Thanks for the how to. Made this job simple. 20 minutes.

 

Hey sorry if I'm resurrecting an old dead thread. But I really liked the how to on this topic or if there is a newer thread? Now for my question I want to change the bulbs on the cluster but in different color ie: red for RPM blue for speed etc now I was wondering if I needed to peel off the black overlay in the panel and scratch off the tint film so the colors would shine thru? And if so anyone know a simple way to take off the needles? I read you could use a fork but don't want to put the needles back on in the wrong position I know I can mark it with a Sharpie. Also does anyone know what bulb slot is for what gauge and how many for each guage? I know it's 6 bulbs for the main illumination which all i want to switch out and size is 194. Sorry for long post and resurrecting this thread.

 

I have an 04 and the temp and fuel lamps were out. I changed the bulbs (they are the little ones, 37 I think) and all work but the fuel and temp still are out.
What could the problem be?

 

Is that the stock color of your dash? Looks very bright compared to my 03, is it the new bulbs? I didn't see any reference to any sort of bulb upgrade or led swap so I was just curious if it's the new bulbs that make it looks so bright, thank you for great tutorial.

 

I see some old posts with suggestions about what the replacement bulb is for the warning lights in instrument panel. The illumination/backlight bulbs are 194s. What are the warning light bulbs? They are smaller that the 6 illumination bulbs with the black sockets.
Can anyone confirm what the replacement bulb is for the 10-12 beige sockets? Thanks.

 

The warning lights on my 2002 are all #74 bulbs.

 

Thanks for that. I have a 1997 2.3 XLT.
I looked at the #74s online. They seem to look just like 194s. I thought the warning light bulbs were small and thin above the base. Does your 2002 use 194s for the background illumination? Do you
know/remember if the 194s and 74s look the same?
Thanks for your feedback. It is appreciated.

 

Yes, mine for the background Illumination uses a 194 bulb (total of six). All others are a 74.

The two are completely different in size with the 194 more that double the size of the bulb and a different size base. I sourced my 74s locally as I wanted to make sure I was getting a long life bulb.

 

Thank you so much! It is so much better to know so that I can have the replacements ready. I was unsure also because Amazon says that #74 bulb does not fit. I now am confident that is Amazon's error.

 

This is a great and thorough post.

 

You’re certainly welcome and hope yours are the same.

I wanted to have them all in hand but decided to get the cluster pulled out to verify first. Multiple sources didn’t show the the 74 bulb at all so glad I saw a reference in this forum and pulled the unit first. Mine can sit a few days waiting on the bulbs (purchased locally but still had to wait a couple days to get enough).

Buy a couple extra 74s and do the HVAC controls while you are at it.

 

I also agree this is an excellent post to show all the steps and greatly appreciated

 

Great article with excellent pictures. Thanks for your hard work. Makes it a snap to replace those bulbs. My 1999 Ranger had 5 bulbs for dash illumination. The smaller bulbs are for various other lights like turn siganls and status lights. You don't have to disconnect the three plugs that go to the dash module and completely remove it. You can pull out the dash module, tip it up, and remove the 5 larger(black) bulb holders from underneath.

 

Here's another 'Thank You' for the great layout of steps and pix. It will make my bulb replacement job a lot easier.

 

See pics for hot tip. Having your dash/gauge cluster bezel in the way is a pain. Make a jumper to test! That is your wire harness that connects to your lights switch.

 

Thank you so much for this post!
I'm not at all a truck/car guy, just a Youtube hero. This project was the first time I've ever attempted taking apart anything in a vehicle on my own and it turned out great!
Your step by step made it super easy even for a novice like myself. Took me a little over an hour to get LED lamps in there.

 

I get the emergency lights in mine (i.e. check engine, door ajar, etc) but everything else is completely dark. I just used this guide to change the bulbs today but it didn't work. Do you know what fuses i might need to change in order to see if that helps? Thanks.

 

Have you tried adjusting the dimmer switch for the dash lights?

Rolling it all the way up, does the cargo light for the bed come on ?