instrument cluster removal
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 379
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From: Minneapolis, Mn
Bulbs
I had a 79 & 84 Cutlas that had the same issue: remove the dash to replace the bulbs. Started removing the plastic lense over the speedometer assembly and turned out I could see the burnt out bulbs but couldn't reach them. I have not had a F150 dash apart so I don't know if this might work but seems like it's worth a look.
I took a pair of hemostats (like a doctor uses), I wrapped the gripping end with masking tape, sticky side out, then alittle more higher up to stick that to the hemostat. I was able to work it around the edge of the speedometer and grasp the end of the bulb and pull it straight out (this had the bulbs that push into a plastic cap, then the cap twists into a hole in the back of the dash). Replacing the bulb was simply the reverse.
I had to change about 5 or 6 in the pair of Cutlas's I owned, and after the first time, I got it down to about 10-15 minutes per job.
I wish the designer that decided you have to pull a dash to change a burnt out bulb was relegated to doing that for a year or two, I'm sure there'd be some dramatic changes in the future.
Hope it helps.
I took a pair of hemostats (like a doctor uses), I wrapped the gripping end with masking tape, sticky side out, then alittle more higher up to stick that to the hemostat. I was able to work it around the edge of the speedometer and grasp the end of the bulb and pull it straight out (this had the bulbs that push into a plastic cap, then the cap twists into a hole in the back of the dash). Replacing the bulb was simply the reverse.
I had to change about 5 or 6 in the pair of Cutlas's I owned, and after the first time, I got it down to about 10-15 minutes per job.
I wish the designer that decided you have to pull a dash to change a burnt out bulb was relegated to doing that for a year or two, I'm sure there'd be some dramatic changes in the future.
Hope it helps.
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