LED lights for instrument backlighting
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LED lights for instrument backlighting
1997 E350 Super cargo van, 5.4l gas
Finally did some night driving, and it appears that I have one or more of my gauge illumination bulbs burned out. I would like to replace them all with LED from superbrightled. I don't want to change the color, just want everything working correctly. From my research, the biggest issue is the light switch **** gives some people problems. I have some small flat blade screwdrivers that should work. My questions are: 1: How many bulbs do I need to replace all of the illumination bulbs ONLY? and 2. What size are the bulbs? I have looked it up on several parts stores and they always list 3-4 different bulbs and never say what size does what. As far as I can tell all of the warning lights work and they use a smaller bulb, so I'm leaving them alone. If someone has done an LED conversion without changing the color (green doesn't bother me and I'd rather not go through the hassle of calibrating the needles), I'd appreciate any feedback on how you liked it or what you would do differently.
Finally did some night driving, and it appears that I have one or more of my gauge illumination bulbs burned out. I would like to replace them all with LED from superbrightled. I don't want to change the color, just want everything working correctly. From my research, the biggest issue is the light switch **** gives some people problems. I have some small flat blade screwdrivers that should work. My questions are: 1: How many bulbs do I need to replace all of the illumination bulbs ONLY? and 2. What size are the bulbs? I have looked it up on several parts stores and they always list 3-4 different bulbs and never say what size does what. As far as I can tell all of the warning lights work and they use a smaller bulb, so I'm leaving them alone. If someone has done an LED conversion without changing the color (green doesn't bother me and I'd rather not go through the hassle of calibrating the needles), I'd appreciate any feedback on how you liked it or what you would do differently.
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On the superbrightled website, it wants me to choose between 161, 194 or 2162. I'd rather not have to tear my dash apart, check the bulb, then put everything back together just to do it all again when the bulbs come in.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Albany, Good Ol' USA
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: NE Tennessee
With LEDs its definitely you get what you pay for. Remember polarity matters and don't put it back together until you test it to make sure you have them all in the correct way. Been there, did that. My explorer ('95) back in the day had the 194's as illumination but not sure if the van is the same.
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Well, tore the instrument cluster apart to fix the odometer worm gear. For the record, the illumination bulbs on a 1997 Econoline E350 are 168, or at least they fit and work. I swapped the two dead incandescent bulbs out with some new ones while I was there. Maybe someday I'll do the LED conversion but for now the dash is lit. I really hate the shift indicator design, nearly broke the thing several times and took almost 10 minutes to finally reinstall it. Don't know why, maybe I was doing something wrong. But it's together and I'll find out tomorrow if the odometer works.
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LCA078
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
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Feb 23, 2020 12:20 PM
