The brake warning light in the IP doesn't work, not even during the bulb test when you turn on the key. How hard is it too to pull the cluster to get at the bulbs?
Thanks for any info!

 

And, you would be asking about which vehicle?????

If you do not see any screws visable in the outer cover, it usually just pulls off. It is held in place by spring type clips. A good tug is enough to release the tabs. Once the outer cover is off, there will be screws holding the panel in place. jd

 

I'm guessing that he is talking about the 00 Ranger since he posted in the Ranger forum. If so:

I can't remember if the '97 is the same interior or not, but these instructions sound close:
1997 Ranger Instrument Panel Light Bulb Replacement

Another thread on the topic:
instrument panel lights

Another one in a 2000:
fuel gauge light bulb?

I seem to remember it being tricky to get the bezel over the steering column cover.

-Jim

 

My '97 is the same as my friend's 2000, so I'm assuming yours would match mine, too.

Kind of a pain, lots of parts that have to come off get to the screws that hold it in place. Hardest part is getting the bezel over the colum, as Jim said. I'm told it's easier if you have a tilt wheel. Budget at least 2 hour start to finish, assuming you have the bulbs. (Took me 2.5, but I had to go out midway through, once I found out what kind of bulbs I needed for the heater *****.)

I'd replace all the bulbs that illuminate the gauges while you're in there, too- it would be a pain to have to take it all out again in a month...

 

Instrument panels are always a PITA. I have had several vehicles in my life, and none of them have ever had a panel that was easy to remove.

 

69 F600 300/5+2
77 F250 4x2/351M/C6
78 F150 SC 4x2/300/3 spd
79 F150 4x4/400/T18
85 Bronco II XLT 4x4/2.8/auto
89 F150 4x4/300/4spd
93 EB Bronco 5.0
00 F150 7700 SC 4x4/5.4/auto
00 Ranger SC 4x4/4.0/auto
01 F350 CC 4x4 DRW PSD
03 Explorer 4.6/AWD/LS
07 F150 SCrew 4x4/5.4/auto

One more and you could call it a 'farmers dozen'.

Quite the collection/stable. I think Rangerpilot stated earlier that it would be fun to see your insurance bill snowdog.

Fred

 

I don't currently have all those trucks! The list used to read "previous and current Ford Trucks", but I exceeded the 300 character signature limit when I added the Ranger, so I had to edit the title. Only 2 Ford trucks right now, the Ranger and '07 F150. My '79 F150 just left yesterday for its new home in Louisiana.