You have to remove the knee panel, 2 screws. Then the hood panel, 2 screws. Tilt the steering wheel all the way down. Pull up on hood panel. Remove 2 connectors by pushing them down. Then remove cluster plastic cover, 4 screws. Then bulbs are accessible. It takes a small star bit for cover and a small nut driver for other screws.

 

I'll be aquiring bulbs probably tomorrow. I'll post part number then.

 

I have had all of this apart except for the plastic on the cluster itself. So it sounds like the cluster does not have to be disconnected.

Sounds good.

 

Please do. I checked our listings at the dealer here, and we have NO listings for any such bulb, except the illumination ones to light up the guages and such. This would help me with future customers. Thanks.

Mr86GT

 

My invoice says the part number for the bulb is "D4AZ*13466*A BULB".

2004 F150 Super Cab 5.4L XLT, 6.5' bed, 3.73 LS

 

Thanks for the info. I stock these, and they look like the typical bulb that Ford uses for the heater controls in some vehicles. Funny though, I took the basic part # from that, and tried to run it for a 2004-2005 F150, and according to my parts fiche...those bulbs are not even IN our trucks!! Funny huh? Was this the correct bulb...and did it solve your problem?? If so, I want to contact Ford about having them update our parts catalogs to include this bulb. Thanks!!

Mr86GT

 

Yes, it did fix the problem. I guess the odometer/temp display is like the backlit LCD watches. The display is there in the dark, but you can't see it unless the light is on. In my case, I could see it in the daytime, but not very well and not at all at night.

2004 F150 Super Cab 5.4L XLT, 6.5' bed, 3.73 LS

 

Thank you to 5beans and wtourvil for help on this. I just replaced my bulb and it took all of $1.09 (Ford part) and 20 minutes of my time. FYI : there are 5 bulbs on the back of the instrument panel that push into the circuit board (just as this one did) that can be replaced as well. My service writer had no idea they could be replaced either Mr.86 GT. I will try to get some pictures up soon.
Thanks again

 

Ok, as wtourvil stated, the procedure is not difficult. It took me about 20 min.

1. Remove the plastic knee panel, (2) 7mm screws.
2. Tilt the steering wheel all the way down.
3. Remove the plastic hood panel (it wraps around and above the cluster), (2)7mm screws - it will be held on with clips, just pull carefully. I had to disconnect the switch for the adjustable pedals, most won't.
4. Remove the (4) 7mm screws holding the cluster.
5. Disconnect the (2) wire connectors from the top of the cluster (push down the plastic tab on top, and slide the gray plastic piece to disconnect)
6. Tip the cluster down to look at the back of it.
7. Remove the (7) small star bit screws that hold the flimsy plastic cover to the back of the cluster.
8. Find the gray plastic bulb holder corresponding to the location of the Compass/Temp/ Fuel/Odometer.
9. Twist the bulb holder and pull it out. This will reveal the small bulb.
10. Replace the bulb and put everything back together.

Here are a few pictures (sorry for the quality):



This is looking at the back of the cluster with the bulb removed.




This is the bulb separated from the plastic holder




This is the bulb in the plastic holder

Again , the part # for the bulb is D4AZ*13466*A .

I hope people read this thread before replacing the entire cluster.

 

Sorry to bump an old thread, but this thread was very helpful in preparing me to change the backlight bulb for my LCD display. I just bought the truck a couple of weeks ago, and the LCD would not display in the dark. Imagine my happiness when I discovered that a bulb change was all it took. I had a '99 with the intermittent odometer problem, which required soldering, so this was a relief.

Kudos to whomever designed the '05 interior, as the trim around the cluster was a dream to remove and install. I had about 15 minutes in changing this bulb.

 

Yes, and dealer quoted me $500 to replace entire cluster!! They said there was no way to replace bulb. Imagine my surprise to find out it was a cheap. fast fix.