This has probably been cover here before but I will ask away. What is the trick to changing the instrument lamps in the dash of a 97 f150? The top of the speedo is the only area that lights up any more. More worried about running out of gas than anything else.
Thanks,
Mike

 

You will need to pull your dash. A very combersome and lengthy project. I'm surprised that a 97 is having light problems in the dash though.

 

This truck has had problems since the day my company bought it. When it got cascaded to me I forgot to duck. I have dropped about 2500.00 a year on non-maintainence repairs in the last 3 years. The only thing that has not been a problem is the engine, 226000 miles and still going.
Mike

 

"I'm surprised that a 97 is having light problems in the dash though."

Thats funny - I've had to replace lamps twice already - I only had to bite the $100 dollars labor once before I decided to do it myself! Its not too bad - just time consuming. The middle dash panel around the stereo pops off, as well as the panel around the steering column I belive. Then look around and get the necessary screws and bolts out, I think there are three above the instrument panel - and then a few behind that - one behind the headlight switch I think too - theres a trick to removing the headlight switch too - pop out the **** and rotate it 180 degrees, re-insert it and twist - then it will come right out. just takes some patience and looking around to figure out how it comes apart, but all in all its not too bad. I hope that helps as I didn't get real in depth about the process. Good luck!

-Aaron Griffith

 

Well I got some good info on how to tackle this from other posts. There's definitely a trick to getting the light **** off and then the switch. I finally had the whole cluster on my lap and could not get the bulbs out. I figured I'd bring the cluster to the dealer instead of breaking something at that point and they told me to take it to a electronic repair place that it may not be possible to change them. It sounds to me like someone has done it out here.....what's the real deal???

1997 F150XLT 4.6 4x4 167K

 

I do remember it took me a little while to figure out how to get the bulbs out of the cluster - You just remove them from the back. I was concerned about forcing them and breaking it - they may be a little stiff but should come out. I think you have to twist the "fins" or whatever you'd call the small plastic part that comes out of the back that houses the light bulb. Just take your time and dont try to force them out, but they should come even though they may be a little bit stubborn.

-Aaron Griffith

 

i was about to post a similar question about a '97 E-150 van. the left side of my dash (fuel/temp gauges) is dark. is the process similar to the f-150? if it's THAT time consuming i may just learn to live with it.

 

On an E-van you remove the instrument cluster much the same as you would in a truck. Remove the trim around it and then there are just a few screws to remove the cluster. The bulbs are in sockets the same as the truck. You just turn them a quarter turn or so to remove them. Like Fordman65 said they might be quite stiff to turn.

 

thanks, dave.

 

Thanks Aaron ....your right. Simply twist with some pliers and they pop out. It's one of those things once you do it once it's easy. I had it back together in 10 minutes. Now that it's dark constantly I'm real glad it's done. I'd also suggest connecting the cluster to make sure they all light up before putting it back in the dash. The harness has enough slack.

Tony Tabone
97 F150XLT SC 4x4 4.6L 168K all by me

 

No problem Tony Its just nice to be able to post a few answers once in a while too! People have been very gracious about my many questions! I find that its pretty fun to take things apart - learn more about your rig and its even more satisfying to know how much you save doing it yourself!

-Aaron Griffith

 

So far I have one light out on mine; near the odometer.How many bulbs are there total on the cluster?While i'm in there I want to replace them all so I wont have to do it again.Do I have to worry about unhooking the speedo-cable?

 

Sombody correct me if I'm wrong - but I think its 3 lamps - could be 4 but if my memory serves me its three. Good call on replacing all of them though - it could save a bit of a hassle later. They'll only cost a few dollars and its not a real bad job to tackle by any means. There is no speedo cable that you have to remove either, aside from the trick getting the headlight switch out and finding all the dash bolts its not all that complicated. Good luck!

-Aaron Griffith

 

The manual shows 6 bulbs. It may vary though depending on what gauge package you have.

 

I stand corrected! Glad you brought that up though, Come to think of it, I might have had three on the bottom and two on top, I'm not sure though, its been about a year. I have the standard package though without the tachometer - so my layout is a little more simple.