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2003- replace dash lights

dennisward

New Member
Joined
October 16, 2009
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City, State
Silver Spring , Maryland
Year, Model & Trim Level
2000 2wd XLT
Can anyone provide guidance on replacing burned out dash lights on FORD Explorer 2003 XLT.
I did this on a 2000 F xlt and there was a lot of screws and plugs to pull, but no real headaches, just time spent.
I was hoping that the 2003 had a better way to get to the back of the dash cluster .
 



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Welcome aboard!! :salute:

Use this thread to remove the cluster: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218636

The changeable bulbs are removed from the back of the cluster.

This picture is from my '02 cluster.

The color coding of the arrows is as follows:

White - High Beam Bulb
Red - Cruise Control Bulb
Green - Turn Signal Bulbs
Purple - Gauge Cluster Illumination Bulbs

Back1Custom.jpg



Hope this helps out! :D:thumbsup:

Please keep us posted as feedback helps others reading this post looking for a fix to the same or similar issue!
 






Dashlight

The dashlight that illuminates the gas gauge and temperature gauge on my 2003 Ford Ranger is out. I just purchased it yesterday. Is it an LED light and do I have to remove the whole dash like BigRondo did? By the way, great posting! Jim
 






My message center on the bottom right is very dim, pretty much can't see it during the day. Is that something I could fix by changing one of these bulbs, or is it more complicated than that?
 












The dashlight that illuminates the gas gauge and temperature gauge on my 2003 Ford Ranger is out. I just purchased it yesterday. Is it an LED light and do I have to remove the whole dash like BigRondo did? By the way, great posting! Jim

Welcome aboard!! :salute:

I am not familiar with the Rangers. I guess they are pretty much the same as the Explorers. I know that in order to replace those bulbs in the Explorer, the cluster has to come out. I used this thread for removing the cluster: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218636 You could also pose this question to the Ford Ranger - Mazda B-Series Sub-Forum. Click here to go there now.

Once you have the cluster out you can change the bulbs. I recommend changing all the bulbs while you have the cluster out!

The changeable bulbs are removed from the back of the cluster.

This picture is from my '02 cluster.

The color coding of the arrows is as follows:

White - High Beam Bulb
Red - Cruise Control Bulb
Green - Turn Signal Bulbs
Purple - Gauge Cluster Illumination Bulbs

Back1Custom.jpg




Good luck with the fix. :D:thumbsup:

Please keep us posted as feedback helps others reading this post looking for a fix to the same or similar issue!
 






My message center on the bottom right is very dim, pretty much can't see it during the day. Is that something I could fix by changing one of these bulbs, or is it more complicated than that?

Welcome aboard!! :salute:

Like Nevea'sExplorer said, this issue is very common to the 3rd Gen's. I had to fix my cluster & the Mounty cluster I installed in my Ex. I got the soldering iron at Walmart for $10.00, complete with solder: http://www.walmart.com/ip/30-Watt-Soldering-Iron/16539504

Use this link for removing the cluster: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218636

Good luck and be sure to let us know how you make out! :biggthump
 


















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