Ticks me off!

[86MUDRCJ]

Can or how do I change these stupid bulbs? It's irratating that they don't work.

 

[4.0B2]

take the cluster out.. it's annoying b/c of the speedo cable.
after you get it out they twist out from the back side. you might be able to get the bulb holder twisted out without taking the cluster all the way out.

 

[ronclark]

I have had my cluster in and out so many times. its not that hard to remove.
the speedo cable you will have to reach up inside there and unclip it, the you can remove the wire harness.

Here's a Tip replace all the bulbs at once, much less of a chance having a bulb burn out right after you put all back together.

 

[AllanD]

Can or how do I change these stupid bulbs? It's irratating that they don't work.

Actually since the lights in that center block are things like the Oil level light
(which does NOT turn on as part of the "Bulb test" when you turn on the key
with the engine off) none are particularly likely to burn out anyway.

My instrument cluster was not even "cut out" for the "Check Engine Light",
I had to carefully cut away the flex circuit with a #11 blade, but oddly it
was fitted with a light bulb for the "Water In Fuel", I do not have a diesel...

The lights are:

Seatbelt ----------- Brake
Not Used ----------- Rear Antilock
4 x 4 ------------ Low Range
Water in Fuel ------ Emiss
Check Engine --- Check Oil

Now as a rundown

Seatbelt, this often doesn't work and I make it a point to disable
it if it does, because I ALWAYS wear my seatbelt and I don't need
either a light or a buzzer to remind me.

"Brake" on trucks up to '88 the switch on the parking brake assembly
is failure prone (this will turn on the light) and unless you run out of
fluid the master cylinder float switch won't turn it on.

Rear Anti-Lock, might not be equipped, unless you have a late '87
or 88 bronco2 I'd bet against it. If your truck isn't equipped with
RABS it won;t light the bulb on self-test.

4 x 4 is NOT included in the bulb test, nor is Low Range

Water In Fuel, unless you have a diesel and your water seperator is full...
No this isn't in self-test either.

Emiss? there is a crude timing device mounted over the glovebox opening that turns this on every 60,000 miles... unless some methodical, patient soul has disabled it... No, not included in self-test.

Check Engine? your picture doesn't even have that position cut out in the flex circuit so if there's no bulb, IF equipped (California emissions 1988's) it WILL light Key on, Engine off.

Mine does but I had to run a wire to it from the computer for my 4.0 engine
EEC-IV self-test does not work properly if unless there is a light bulb in the CEL circuit.

Check Oil, not all Rangers are equipped with either the sensor OR the module the sensor triggers and you have to either cut the truck apart or be a really small contortionist to find it... having the steering column AND the dash removed helps... And No this isn't in the "self test" either.

But most clusters have a bulb installed anyway...

So your being annoyed that the bulbs don't light is misplaced anger, they basically aren't supposed to.


BTW, the "Tube" that is supposed to shield the left turn signal bulb is busted off, it should look
like the right side.

 

[PanamaExpat]

Actually if you can... replace all the bulbs with LEDs and they should last longer than the truck. Then you won't have the problem again.

 

[86MUDRCJ]

Actually since the lights in that center block are things like the Oil level light
(which does NOT turn on as part of the "Bulb test" when you turn on the key
with the engine off) none are particularly likely to burn out anyway.

My instrument cluster was not even "cut out" for the "Check Engine Light",
I had to carefully cut away the flex circuit with a #11 blade, but oddly it
was fitted with a light bulb for the "Water In Fuel", I do not have a diesel...

The lights are:

Seatbelt ----------- Brake
Not Used ----------- Rear Antilock
4 x 4 ------------ Low Range
Water in Fuel ------ Emiss
Check Engine --- Check Oil

Now as a rundown

Seatbelt, this often doesn't work and I make it a point to disable
it if it does, because I ALWAYS wear my seatbelt and I don't need
either a light or a buzzer to remind me.

"Brake" on trucks up to '88 the switch on the parking brake assembly
is failure prone (this will turn on the light) and unless you run out of
fluid the master cylinder float switch won't turn it on.

Rear Anti-Lock, might not be equipped, unless you have a late '87
or 88 bronco2 I'd bet against it. If your truck isn't equipped with
RABS it won;t light the bulb on self-test.

4 x 4 is NOT included in the bulb test, nor is Low Range

Water In Fuel, unless you have a diesel and your water seperator is full...
No this isn't in self-test either.

Emiss? there is a crude timing device mounted over the glovebox opening that turns this on every 60,000 miles... unless some methodical, patient soul has disabled it... No, not included in self-test.

Check Engine? your picture doesn't even have that position cut out in the flex circuit so if there's no bulb, IF equipped (California emissions 1988's) it WILL light Key on, Engine off.

Mine does but I had to run a wire to it from the computer for my 4.0 engine
EEC-IV self-test does not work properly if unless there is a light bulb in the CEL circuit.

Check Oil, not all Rangers are equipped with either the sensor OR the module the sensor triggers and you have to either cut the truck apart or be a really small contortionist to find it... having the steering column AND the dash removed helps... And No this isn't in the "self test" either.

But most clusters have a bulb installed anyway...

So your being annoyed that the bulbs don't light is misplaced anger, they basically aren't supposed to.


BTW, the "Tube" that is supposed to shield the left turn signal bulb is busted off, it should look
like the right side.

I'm thinking about going to the junkyard this weekend and just grabbing a whole cluster and swap it in. I think the gas gauge itself has something wrong with it.

Actually if you can... replace all the bulbs with LEDs and they should last longer than the truck. Then you won't have the problem again.

I was thinking the same thing. And do the gauges as well. That way ill actually be able to see them when I turn the truck on.

 

[kunar]

if you use LED's, make sure you buy some good ones and not cheap junk. i had some ebay cheapies i put in my cluster and had to pull it to replace a hand full a few weeks later. ive got a couple out right now even. also, test them after you install them but before you button up the dash. since they are a diode, they have to have current flowing the right direction or they wont light.

 

[4.0B2]

superbrightleds.com

email them and tell them what you want to use them for, they will suggest a certain one. If i still had the e-mail I'd tell you... they ain't cheap, but they are GOOD stuff. use the ones they say to use. I cheaped out and got some cheaper ones and they sucked.

 

[shane96ranger]

if you use LED's, make sure you buy some good ones and not cheap junk. i had some ebay cheapies i put in my cluster and had to pull it to replace a hand full a few weeks later. ive got a couple out right now even. also, test them after you install them but before you button up the dash. since they are a diode, they have to have current flowing the right direction or they wont light.

I've heard good things about buying from www.superbrightleds.com - my buddy did his whole Mustang with their products.

 

[4.0B2]

I've heard good things about buying from www.superbrightleds.com - my buddy did his whole Mustang with their products.

agreed.

 

[Brownie Mobile]

the blinker bulbs are those special by any means? my left blinker bulb went out ive got a lot of automotive bulbs but dont wanna tear apart the dash just to find its a special bulb, thanks.

 

[4.0B2]

special bulbs? no.. you can get them at walmart or any parts store.

 

[86MUDRCJ]

Or I can just get some auto meter or sun pros and make my own dash.

 

[fyre82]

You can make your own if you are into the mental torture of figuring out the ford better idea at electrical and wiring some of said parts in.

Its not a big deal to take that cluster out. I have one of those of you need parts. After you do it the first time you will wonder what the deal was. The only problem I have is remembering to put the speedo cable back on.


Rich

 

[86MUDRCJ]

Is it really worth it to make one i mean I figured if I did it would be a while before I had to replace it.