Light is out in gauge cluster | Ford Explorer Forums

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Light is out in gauge cluster

Mhurtado

New Member
Joined
May 1, 2020
Messages
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City, State
Az
Year, Model & Trim Level
1995, Ford Explorer xlt
Hey, so in my 95 explorer the top light (the one that’s in between 60-70) is out. I’ve replaced all the bulbs in my dash and it’s still out. Does anyone have any idea of what it could be?
 



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if its LED, check the polatiry or that its clicked in properly, if not, its the electrical connection, try swapping bulbs ie. left most goes in between 60-70... basically move them around, if so its the connector or the bulb
 






they’re standards....so if the connector is bad how would I go about fixing that?
 






first, i would reccomend moving the bulbs around in their connectors (the plugs that hold it in), and move them, and if the fault stays with one bulb, or connector, there's your problem, order a new part if not, new cluster 4 u...
 






i have to pullled the cluster a few days ago so ill upload pics of what i mean tomorrow, not the best at explaining lol
 






I'd start by whipping out a multimeter, and checking resistance between the contacts on that plastic film, for that bulb and one of the others (of same type that should be on at the same time), to make sure the circuit isn't broken before it gets to the bulb carrier. If the contact is just dirty, you could try abrasion with a dry paper towel, or with rubbing alcohol on it, or a very mild abrasive like toothpaste. If the circuit to it is broken, you could solder a jumper wire from another bulb's contact to that one, matching the same polarity. I mean using a very fine wire to the bulb carrier contact, then reinstalling it, not to the plastic film contact pad because it may not tolerate that much heat.

Next I'd look at the bulb carrier's contacts, maybe they just need a cotton swab with metal polish or toothpaste to clean it off. You can use a multimeter to see if there is resistance between those two bulb carrier contacts (going from one carrier contact, through the bulb filament to the other one). If not, as a sanity check, I'd try a different bulb in case that one was blown new out of the package. Backing up, before I removed the bulb, I'd look very carefully to make sure it had been twisted all the way in. If not twisted all the way, maybe it didn't make contact with the plastic sheet contacts?
 






I'd start by whipping out a multimeter, and checking resistance between the contacts on that plastic film, for that bulb and one of the others (of same type that should be on at the same time), to make sure the circuit isn't broken before it gets to the bulb carrier. If the contact is just dirty, you could try abrasion with a dry paper towel, or with rubbing alcohol on it, or a very mild abrasive like toothpaste. If the circuit to it is broken, you could solder a jumper wire from another bulb's contact to that one, matching the same polarity. I mean using a very fine wire to the bulb carrier contact, then reinstalling it, not to the plastic film contact pad because it may not tolerate that much heat.

Next I'd look at the bulb carrier's contacts, maybe they just need a cotton swab with metal polish or toothpaste to clean it off. You can use a multimeter to see if there is resistance between those two bulb carrier contacts (going from one carrier contact, through the bulb filament to the other one). If not, as a sanity check, I'd try a different bulb in case that one was blown new out of the package. Backing up, before I removed the bulb, I'd look very carefully to make sure it had been twisted all the way in. If not twisted all the way, maybe it didn't make contact with the plastic sheet contacts?

i would swap the bulbs and their socket holders (connectors as i call them) around and see if the issue follows either the bulb or connector... also, @J_C 's answer is also something good to check as well! hope it works out!
 

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