help me see the light

[d1thumper]

1st of all this is my first try at this blogging/forum stuff so i need some slak if i'm not in the right place or doing this right. tx

I have an instrument cluster light problem in my 1997 explorer. my shift,speedo, and tach lights seem to have gone out at the same time. all my idiot lights seem ok. my steering column turn sig switch is bad but i can make the signals and indicator lights work. also all my fuses that i know of for instrument cluster are good( 1 mag and 1 fusebox fuse). the switch on the dash panel for exterior lights is good and dimmer switch works for the radio. anybody anything?

 

[OneLever]

my shift,speedo, and tach lights seem to have gone out at the same time. all my idiot lights seem ok.

So your illumination lights for these sections of the dash went out. Make sure the Autolamp switch on the review mirror is OFF if you have one. If you turn your headlamp switch to PARK or HEAD do the exterior parking lamps come on?

my steering column turn sig switch is bad but i can make the signals and indicator lights work.

So your Multi-Function Switch (MFS) is bad? How do you know this and how do you still get the turn signals to work?

 

[bobflood]

There are 6 illumination bulbs for the insturment panel and yours are starting to burn out. I also have a '97 and replaced all mine this year - so guess they last about 12-13 years. They are #194 bulbs, commonly available at any parts shop. You have to pull out the insturment panel far enought to get at the back (good instructions in the Haynes manual). The illumination bulbs are in large bulb holders (black, I believe) that can be twisted loose from the printed circuit board. While you have the panel out, take the oportunity to replace any burned out indicator bulbs at the same time. They are smaller bulbs in smaller holders (brown, I think). If you are in an emission state, definitely replace the CEL bulb while you are in there. I had to use a set of pliers to break each holder loose the first time - after that they go in and out by hand pretty easily.