Dash light issues
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 35
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It's not a perfect picture but it's the best I've got at the moment because our internet is down and I'm having to do everything via my cell. I hope it helps. I wish I had before pictures. These LEDs are much brighter. I don't think I'd leave the blue filters out unless I had colored bulbs. Mine were cloudy too but they were too old to polish without damaging. The only thing is the variable adjustment for the brightness is kind of all or nothing because of the way LED bulbs work. I can live with that.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 227
Likes: 2
Thanks. I think I'm going to get the white bulbs on amazon and leave the blue filter.. so same concept as factory just brighter. I'll post up my afters when I get them to compare with my incandescent bulbs. Any idea on how much of a job it is to get to the gear selector and heater control bulbs?
Btw amazon prime is the best!!!
Btw amazon prime is the best!!!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 154
Heater control you might be able to reach up from behind with no AC? I've never tried, but you can for sure get at it with the dash bezel off, especially with no radio.
Uh, I've actually never seen how the one in the column goes in! Probably can't be too difficult... I've ever had only an E250 with that setup, and I never got it running.
Have you tested voltage output to the gauge lighting circuit aft of the rheostat dimmer?
Uh, I've actually never seen how the one in the column goes in! Probably can't be too difficult... I've ever had only an E250 with that setup, and I never got it running.
Have you tested voltage output to the gauge lighting circuit aft of the rheostat dimmer?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 3
From: Fort Myers, Florida
Pull the steering wheel. The bulb is plugged into the circuit board that's part of the turn signal control switch, right above the hazards switch.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,188
Likes: 5,792
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
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Just one nut which is easy to take off - assuming you have the horn-pad off...
You might be able to get the wheel off by pounding with your hands, but a steering wheel puller will make it easy.
You probably can rent/borrow one from the McParts store, but you can also buy one there for cheap.
I bought one when I needed it years ago, and have used it other times since, most recently on my Dent, which had its wheel on crooked... Very nice tool to have when the need for it rolls around!
You might be able to get the wheel off by pounding with your hands, but a steering wheel puller will make it easy.
You probably can rent/borrow one from the McParts store, but you can also buy one there for cheap.
I bought one when I needed it years ago, and have used it other times since, most recently on my Dent, which had its wheel on crooked... Very nice tool to have when the need for it rolls around!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 78
From: NE Texas
The wheel is held on by a nut which is threaded onto a shaft with splines. Take the nut off, then try to get penetrant like PB Blaster into the splines. Now this is the counter-intuitive part - TIGHTEN the nut hard, hopefully pushing the wheel a tad further into the splines, then remove the nut again. This helps break the hold of the splines on the wheel and if you get lucky, will help the penetrant get just a bit further in the splines. A puller is best. If none available, you can try to get the wheel loose by hitting the back of the wheel arms with a rubber mallet while pulling on the opposite side of the rim - but note that you are whacking and pulling on 40 year old plastic and you can damage the wheel like this. Also - if you do that, thread the nut a couple of tuns back onto the shaft before starting to whack - sometimes the wheel comes off all at once in a hurry and I guarantee getting hit in the face with one hurts. Trust me on this.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,188
Likes: 5,792
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Good idea on the tighten the nut a bit more to help break it loose, you just DO NOT want to strip that shaft for sure.
I can say that buying a tool that pulls harmonic balancers, steering wheels, pulleys, and gears for 15 to 20 bucks is a better way to ensure you do not break you steering wheel or your face.
OEM Harmonic balancer/steering wheel puller 25053 - Read 1 Reviews on OEM #25053
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/o...Wdx9mZ8hQTHKH8
https://www.walmart.com/ip/13-Pcs-Ha...770&wl5=902368
https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/too...-pullers-19634
Most big chain parts stores rent a kit cheaper than a trip to the dentist.
I can say that buying a tool that pulls harmonic balancers, steering wheels, pulleys, and gears for 15 to 20 bucks is a better way to ensure you do not break you steering wheel or your face.
OEM Harmonic balancer/steering wheel puller 25053 - Read 1 Reviews on OEM #25053
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/o...Wdx9mZ8hQTHKH8
https://www.walmart.com/ip/13-Pcs-Ha...770&wl5=902368
https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/too...-pullers-19634
Most big chain parts stores rent a kit cheaper than a trip to the dentist.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 227
Likes: 2
Good info and tips for the steering wheel. Don't know how soon I'll get to it but I'll definitely use the tips.
My lights came in today however after spending all day with a shovel in my hand digging 4' holes in my yard.. I decided to jump into the pool and head inside for dinner and bed. Hopefully tomorrow some time I'll change them out!
My lights came in today however after spending all day with a shovel in my hand digging 4' holes in my yard.. I decided to jump into the pool and head inside for dinner and bed. Hopefully tomorrow some time I'll change them out!
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 227
Likes: 2
Ok, finally had time to mess around with the led dash lights I got from amazon. Changed them out and everything went well. The dimmer also still works with these lights. I read some reviews that people said their dimmers didn't work.
Before. The picture actually make the old lights looks brighter than they actually were. Even in pitch black they were very hard to see.
After, with the leds. Very readable dash now!!
Before. The picture actually make the old lights looks brighter than they actually were. Even in pitch black they were very hard to see.
After, with the leds. Very readable dash now!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,600
Likes: 1,174
From: San Jose, CA
That looks great.
Whether LED's dim or not depends on the bulb (and probably the dimmer as well) working together. Many LED's simply do not work with a rheostat, so those that post that theirs don't dim are usually correct and telling the truth in their case.
Great that yours do dim though. Score!
Paul
Whether LED's dim or not depends on the bulb (and probably the dimmer as well) working together. Many LED's simply do not work with a rheostat, so those that post that theirs don't dim are usually correct and telling the truth in their case.
Great that yours do dim though. Score!
Paul
