instrument cluster light bulbs in 99 ranger

[Louis Schuhler]

How do you change a burnt out light bulb in the instrument cluster? I can't access the bulbs from behind the cluster. Do you have to remove the cluster from the dash?

 

[03rangerxlt]

I'm having the same problem with my 2004 ranger. The instrument panel light near the fuel gauge is out. I've tried going under the dash but can't get to the bulbs. Has anyone replaced these before?

thanks

 

[ranger_scott]

i had the same prob when i bought my 98 ranger. i had to take the instument panel out and since i had to do that i changed all the bulbs. i think there were 7 bulbs from ford it cost $4.00

 

[mixwhit]

I just did this on my '03. Here's the steps as I recall:

remove two screws on the radio/climate control console and pop it out a bit
remove the kick plate cover (dash piece between the steering wheel and floor)
remove the kick plate (the metal piece you just revealed)
remove the 3 screws on underneath side of cover in front of the gauges
remove dash piece in front of the gauges
remove screws holding the clear plastic gauge covers on
remove screws holding gauge cluster in
pull it forward enough to gain access to the back of the cluster

now you'll see 6 black bulb holders (one of which is by the fuel gauge). you turn them counterlclockwise 1/4 turn or so to get them out and reveal the bulb. i found them hard to turn by hand, so used a socket (w/o ratchet) that fit over it well enough and that gave me the leverage I needed.

pull them all and replace them all with 194LL (long life) bulbs. you only want to do this once. i found that i had three out even though the only thing i couldn't see at all was my gas gauge.

while you're there, clean the gauges and the clear plastic cover!

reassemble in reverse order.

i took photos as i went in case you get stuck. it was really pretty easy and took about an hour to take apart, less to reassemble.

now, will someone tell me why the gas gauge seems to be hte one that goes out first for everybody who has this problem?

 

[mixwhit]

oh, on the bulb holders. i also cleaned their little contacts with an eraser while i had it out. these are the little wing-like metal pieces. i also gave them just a slight bend downward so they would hopefully have a better contact against the cluster.

 

[03rangerxlt]

MIXWHIT,

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I'm hoping I can replace them this week-end. My gas guage light has been burn't out for over a year.

thanks again

 

[vbrad511]

I lost my cluster bulbs one at a time over a two year period. I finally got to the point I only had one working so I tore into it one Saturday. Yes, the cluster has to come out. Radio and bezel, column covers, lower dash cover too. Best bet is to get the Haynes book for a good rundown. It walked me right through. Only took a few hours. Much easier than I expected.