07 Limited bulb replacement in dash

[TourGuide]

I had a bulb go out in the instrument cluster. At the moment it isn't in a critical location like the low numbers on the speedometer, it is behind the temp gauge. So since I had one go out two questions come to mind.

1.) How hard is it to replace these things?

2.) Is it possible to replace these bulbs with something a bit brighter?

-TG

 

[A Wise Guy]

Be careful with going brighter. Too much bright ambient light close to you at night makes it harder to see distances. That is one reason why you have the ability to dim your dash.

 

[TourGuide]

"Be careful with going brighter."

Yes - good advice there. Thanks for the input.

Nobody has done this?

 

[waskly]

really simple about 8 screws in total.

 

[Patrick Hardy]

I had the same problem. I found this step by step instructions very helpful,
http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_489_replace-dashboard-lights.html
But I took the easy way out and paid someone to change them all on my Explorer.
Easier but expensive - $180.00 total for all lights to be replaced.

 

[nleipziger]

Patrick, is there any thing in common between a 1997 and a 2007? I don't think the video is relevant.

 

[waskly]

the 07 is super easy to get the cluster out, the 97 is long and tedious.

 

[Patrick Hardy]

Patrick, is there any thing in common between a 1997 and a 2007? I don't think the video is relevant.

Sorry, thought I saw 97 not 07.

 

[Patrick Hardy]

the 07 is super easy to get the cluster out, the 97 is long and tedious.

Long and tedious is a good description of it. That is why I paid someone to do it.

 

[TourGuide]

Yeah, I took the easy way out too and had someone replace ALL of the bulbs. It made a big difference in the brightness of the panel.

A couple of things I learned from this - For everyone who has a 2007, the bulbs ARE serviceable, however you can't just go get some 194 bulbs as the linked video shows. The bulbs in this model year are Ford proprietary parts, bulb and socket are ONE part. So DIYers are going to be heading to the dealership to order these things, which they do not stock.

I learned also that some model years (no idea which ones) had instrument clusters in which the bulbs were soldered, or somehow fused to the display so that if you wanted to replace a bulb, you replace the ENTIRE CLUSTER!! Whose GENIUS IDEA was THAT?!! :thumbdwn:

I am just thankful that wasn't me!

 

[waskly]

Yeah, I took the easy way out too and had someone replace ALL of the bulbs. It made a big difference in the brightness of the panel.

A couple of things I learned from this - For everyone who has a 2007, the bulbs ARE serviceable, however you can't just go get some 194 bulbs as the linked video shows. The bulbs in this model year are Ford proprietary parts, bulb and socket are ONE part. So DIYers are going to be heading to the dealership to order these things, which they do not stock.

I learned also that some model years (no idea which ones) had instrument clusters in which the bulbs were soldered, or somehow fused to the display so that if you wanted to replace a bulb, you replace the ENTIRE CLUSTER!! Whose GENIUS IDEA was THAT?!! :thumbdwn:

I am just thankful that wasn't me!

the instrument cluster bulbs come two ways, bulb only cheaper version about 2-3 bux or bulb with socket about 10-15 bux.

the only bulbs that are soldered into the cluster are the ones for some cars od. its not a bulb but an led.

but no that little bulb comes out of that beige socket. or gray one.