Dashboard Lights Replacement

[Ammond2017]

On a 2002 Ranger XLT...

What are good ways to replace all the dashboard lights. Half of mine don't work.

I presume this means getting the list of bulbs, procuring the bulbs, taking apart the dashboard, installing all new bulbs and then reinstalling the dashboard.

That seems like detailed, tricky work that a novice shouldn't be doing. What types of auto services might be able to do that work? I see several shops around that install car stereo systems. Might those folks be able to do the work? How about general auto repair shops?

I avoid Ford because of the expense.

Thanks for your help!

 

[cbxer55]

Here's how it was explained to me in a thread of mine.

"Not sure about the climate control bulbs, haven't had to deal with them yet.

Gauge lights, you have to rip the dash apart to get to them. Remove the two bolts for the radio/climate control bezel and pull that partway out. Remove the two bolts for the panel under the steering wheel, then two more bolts that hold the hood release, then you can pop the lower panel free, it has two clips at the top so you kinda try to pull the whole panel straight back. Loosen the 5 bolts that hold the metal panel under that (or remove them completely to give you more access to the shifter). Now there are two bolts on the bottom of the upper panel and three above the gauges. Then you can pop the upper panel free. To get the upper panel out, tilt the steering column all the way down and put the trans shifter in first, then you can wiggle it out. Tilt it out the drivers door and unplug the switches. Now, best way I've found is to pull the torx screws holding the outer cover on the gauge cluster and remove that. It might be easier to remove he 4 bolts that hold the cluster in first (I've done it both ways). Now you can pull the cluster out some and tilt it enough to get at the bulbs. Since it's a pain, I try to replace all of the bulbs at once. It's usually the black housings, twist to free them and they take 194 bulbs.

I'm probably going to tear my dash back apart soon, I'll try to get some pics and video. I replaced all the bulbs in mine, but one was defective out of the package, so I have to do it again.

I have two bulbs out, and no way I'm doing all that crap for two bulbs. Hell, if they all burned out, I'd use the flashlight I always have on me. LOL

 

[1996xlt]

From the tech section:
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/winter2009/gauge_removal.htm