Has anyone changed these bulbs? I have several out and my brake warning light is out also. How hard is it? I read the manual and it gives different info. One statement says to remove radio and trim while another states removing steering wheel as well. It also says you can change them by going up behind the dash, which I think would be near impossible.

 

I think that the Haynes manual that I have says the same thing about reaching up behind to do this. I think it is impossible on newer trucks, possibly it was reasonable on older models. Changing the lights involves on the cluster is a chore. There are several threads that describe it. I'll try to search them and post a few.

-Jim

 

For a '97:

1997 Ranger Instrument Panel Light Bulb Replacement

-Jim

 

And, more important than anything, if you go in to do one or two, DO THEM ALL! And with long life bulbs. It's not something fun to repeat.

I did all mine, pulled out of the garage, down the alley, onto the street...and noticed my speedo was still sitting on zero...I had forgotten to reattach the cable. Entire dash had to come back out.

 

Thanks!!

Second question: How many bulbs in total are there?

 

IIRC, there are 6 bulbs behind the instrument panel guages.

P.S. The bulb type is #194, they can be picked up at Autozone off the rack.

 

You doo have to pull the radio and its associated trim panel to get the the screws to get the trim off the instrument panel. But you do not have to pull the steering wheel. Knowing what I know now I would probably go with the LED replacement bulbs they will last 100 times longer and draw less power. And yes they cost quite a bit more but I think they are worth it.

 

Just go to radio shack or order the leds online(cheaper than the shack) and some 350 to 550 ohm resistors depending on how bright you want them or what the bulbs can handle. You could put different color ones say the nice deep blue would probably look cool or you could wire in some tri color leds and change the color for mood.
Basicaly you want to cut the leads down to the length you need solder the resistor to the anode on the led which goes to positive, the cathode goes to ground. The formula for figuring the resistor value is pretty simple just google it!! Blue leds take a bit more power than other colors. You could even make your own led tailights, reverse lights etc. Bust out the glass from the bulb socket, solder in a bunch of leds and resistors in the socket and you have instant led lights, alot cheaper than store bought and just as reliable, Also works for flashlight bulbs. Those new luxeon leds are super bright and would make good brake light bulbs a bit pricy though!!http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/index...S&Category=248
That's where I get my toys!! If your down in Orlando doing the theme park thing, Make some time for yourself and come to the mans theme park in Orlando, You will be shipping a big box of stuff home when you leave there. They have good deals on stainless hardware from 2-56 to huge, not to mention alu diamond plate and surplus NASA tools, Those hard to find security bit drivers I think it has like 30 bits, some I have never seen but I am glad I got them, It was $6.00 for the box of bits. Their web site isn't the best but give them a call I almost guarantee they have what you need!!

 

Actually, I would take it a step beyond long life bulbs are replace them with LEDs instead. Nothing like upgrading from 1000 hours to 100,000 hours.

 

Third Question:

How about the warning lights? Are they included in the 6? I have my brake warning light out and I'll need that replaced to pass inspection in February. I imagine these bulbs are separate from the "dash lights".


Fourth Question:

Do I have to disconnect speedo?

 

No. The warning lights are seperate. Your truck may be/probably is different, but mine has eight total warning lights (even the ones not functional such as 4x4 came with bulbs in place).

You will have to disconnect the speedometer and all the gauges if you pull the entire gauge panel off. It's not hard though, just a few wires.

 

Zach is correct about the warning bulbs being seperate. However, on your '00 there's no need to worry about a speedo cable since it's electronic.

Are several of your warning lamps out? This could indeed indicate a problem with a different circuit from the instrument cluster lamps. Do your "check gauge", check engine", and safety belt indicaters light up when you turn the key to the ON position?

 

The only one out is the brake warning light. Doesn't come on when E brake is set.

 

The warning light is a different bulb. Make sure it is not the switch on the e brake that is bad take the lead off the switch at the e brake and short it to ground and see if the light comes on.

 

I'll add a few thoughts from when I did this. First, be careful with the circuit board on the back of the cluster when you have it out. Its very delicate. Second, the black bulb holders which twist out on mine were difficult to turn. They are small and I think with time probably get a little stuck. I had to wrap some needlenose pliers with a little masking tape so as not to damage them and used those to start them loose.

This is one of those jobs where I use one of the sectioned plastic organizers that are used to hold spare nuts/bolts or fishing lures. I put the first fasteners removed in the upper right and go across as I keep removing, then when putting things back I just reverse it. Just a tip to keep track of all the fasteners you will be removing.

Depending on what year of truck you have you may need a set of the U shaped radio remover tools. There are 4 holes in the radio bezel where you stick these in to release the clips to pull the radio out. They cost a few bucks at the parts store. Good luck.