Whats up guys? My parents have an old 89 Ford Ranger and the light bulb for the clock has burnt out. They want me to replace the bulb and I have the U-Shaped tool things u use to get it out but i pulled as hard as I could and it didnt even move. Can ANYONE give me a how to on how to get to the bulb behind the clock in an 89 Ford Ranger??? Should I remove the plastic wood grain thats around the dash and the instrument panel??

 

Bump

please let me know how to get to that bulb. I would love to get the fixed today. Thanks!!

 

This post was moved from the 87-96 truck/van forum to the Ranger forum. I tried to e-mail the poster but he has his E-mail shut off.

 

i dont have my email turned off??

But can ANYONE answer my question?? I really want to get this over with. I put the keys in the holes (2 U-Shaped metal things) and pulled as hard as i could and nothing happened. What am i doing wrong?? Please help!

 

Did you check for a bolt at the rear of the radio, I changed the radio on my 1989 and I don't recall having any problems but that was 8 years ago.

 

This may sound stupid but are you sure you put them in far enough? I actully used 4 pieces of thin steel rod to do my 90 B2 and had to really get them in there to get it out. its further then you would think. they have to push two large clips in far enough to allow the radio to be slid out. Also make sure your pulling the two U shapped tools away from eachother as you pull out.

As far as how to fix the bulb I'm at a loss. I thoguht they where LED or something that didn't burn out but I'm probly wrong.

Best of luck to you.

 

Greetings:
Every time I remove the radio, I do remove the instrument bezel. You slide the ashtray out (it is held by a tensioning spring/tab), disconnect the lighter. There are a couple of screw nuts in the area of the ashtray. The bezel sort of pops out when the screws are removed. Because it is plastic, it bends a little to get around the steering column. Once the bezel is out of the way, you should have better access with your u shaped tool. You may need to pry a bit on the radio as you release the spring clips on each side of the radio. I find that I usually get one side to release, then the other. The radio will slide straight out - the bolt at the back attaches to a plastic guide which keeps the radio from moving vertically when the truck is bouncing around. The snaps for the two electrical connections need to be undone and the antennae unplugged. Now that you have the radio in your hands, you just pop the top off with a small screwdriver. You will have to remove the plastic guide. With the top off, you will see the radio bulb which just unplugs. Now the problem will be getting the Ford Parts dept to get the right bulb. Take them the old one. Buy two because I have found that the hard part is getting Ford to supply the correct bulb. Putting it all back together is quite easy.
My other method for making the bulb work involves my right fist thumping the top of the dashboard above the clock. This works remarkably well, but is, as you might expect, usually temporary.

 

Looks like ianjay has you set nikeman. That was exactly what i was going to say. Anyways though, i did seem to have alot of trouble pulling the radio out, even after taking the front bezel out. So it may be a little tough, but be patient, lol, dont do what i did, i accidently pulled the whole front of the dang radio off, luckly, i was accually installing a new one though. Anyone wanna buy the old one?? It should still work? lol.

 

THANKS ALOT GUYS!!! This really helps me!

The U-Shaped tools I am using I had them pushed WAY down in the holes, to the point that their was only about a half inch between them and the radio and when I pull them as hard as I could they pulled back out. U think that I broke something?? This thing is really annoying me. As for the bulb, I'm sure I can find one at a store somewhere and if its an LED i know I can replace that too.

Oh yeah, one more question. I had the plastic wood grain panel popped off all the way except the parts on either side under the steering wheel. Those didnt want to budge for some reason.

Thanks again, I have to go to work now but I will be trying to fix that bulb again tomorrow.

BTW: I have 3 years of exsperience working on cars (mainly my cars) so when ur tryin to help me out u dont have to break every little detail down for me . I can be slow at times but usually when were talkin about cars I know exactly what is goin on.


Last question, what does the bulb look like? Is it a size 194?? size 74?? Does anyone know what size bulb it is??
THANKS AGAIN!!

 

Oh nike, dont take it the wrong way, sometimes its better to have step-by-step directions, so atleast you can see if something went wrong. Uh... i have no idea what size the bulb is, my guess is though that you will hafta hardwire it in, i dont think it will just pull right out, and plug right in, i could be wrong though. Now the tools... i personally didnt use the U tools (may be why i had such a hard time), but i used small round shafted screwdrivers. You should only hafta push them in about 1.5 to 2 inches, anything more than that, and you will go past the springs, actually, when you get them in, you should be able to feel the springs by pulling the rear ends of the tools away from each other. Anyways, hope this helps, and if you get in there, and get the bulb and cant find a replacement, let me know, cause ive got my old stock radio setting in my room. Good luck....

 

Another reason for the detailed instructions is that it is probable that there are others out there (some of whom might be less knowledgeable than others) that have the same question....

Help like this is what makes this site GREAT!

Keep up the great work everyone!!!!

 

i'm glad i could bring out the helpful ness in everyone . I havnt tried to get the radio out since my last post. (been working my *** off) I'm about to go out their and try it now. I'll let u guys know if i get it out and I'll probably end up posting my own directions on dothing this. Thanks again guys!!!

 

OK, so now i have the radio pulled out and hanging down by the wires, lol. Actually its resting on the ashtrey, but now I was wondering where the bulb was. Should I remove the face part of the radio? Its only held on by 2 really small screws. I'm thinking that thats probably the best place to look since the bulb wasnt in the back of the radio. I just want to make sure before i take it apart. Thanks!! And I will type up some step by step instructions on how to do this and maybe it can be a sticky??

Thanks again guys!

 

please please please tell me where the light bulb is located and if its hard please tell me how to get to it. Thanks!!!

PLEASE HELP ASAP!! thanks again!

 

Greetings:
As I indicated in my previous post, you have to remove the top of the radio, not the face plate. There are little tabs that need to be pried off with a small sharp screwdriver and you may have to remove the white plastic guide that is held on with the hex nut. The top of the radio will just come off. Do not force the front of the radio. The bulb is inside the radio near the time/station display. It is not a standard bulb - definitely not a 194 - that is why you will have to go to a Ford dealer or a radio shop that specializes in repairing factory radios. It is not an LED. It is not the same as a regular dashboard panel bulb. It will pop out of its harness by pulling straight up. Take it to the dealer and make sure the replacement has the same size connection. The bulb they supply may be a little bigger - that is ok, it is the electrical connection that must be the same.