Discuss How To: Instrument cluster bulb replacement

STL · #1 05-02-2009, 07:20 PM

this is a 1999, I'm not sure on what years will be the same.
It takes 6 194LL light bulbs, go ahead and change all 6 while the instrument cluster is out.

This is detailed instructions on how to change the instrument gauge bulbs in the ranger from 1995-2009

Step #1 Using a 7mm socket, remove the 2 screws holding the radio bezel

Step #2 Pull radio bezel out slightly

Step #3 Using 7mm socket, remove 4 screws holding kick-panel below steering wheel. Note: 2 screws are under hood release handle

Step #4 Drop hood release bracket and pull kick panel out

Step #5 Using 8mm socket, remove 4 of the 5 screws holding kick panel metal brace

Step #6 Just loosen 5th screw in kick panel metal brace enough to drop brace to clear bottom 2 screws in instrument cluster bezel

Step #7 Using 7mm socket, remove bottom 2 screws in instrment cluster bezel

Step #8 Using 7mm socket, remove top 3 screws in instrument cluster bezel

Step #9 With tilt steering wheel, drop to lowest position. Also pull tranny shifter to "1" position (if automatic). Note: Make sure emergency brake is set! Pull Instrument cluster out from the
top

Step #10 Using 7mm socket, remove 4 screws holding instrment cluster

Step #11 Gently pull instrument cluster out from the right side, far enough to reach the 3 electrical connectors. Electrical connectors have release tabs to push in before pulling
connectors:

Step #12 Instrument cluster lights are in black caps. Turn caps counter-clockwise to remove light bulbs

Step #13 Light bulbs pull out of black caps

Reassemble in opposite direction

Written by Bob Ayers, and posted here with his permission.

ToddC · #2 01-30-2010, 09:40 AM

Did this to my '96 Ranger a few years ago. Took about an hour. One bulb burning out started a chain reaction of others doing the same. If it had been summer, I would have procrastinated until Fall. But being Winter, I needed to see the speedometer for when commuting through three small towns of which I didn't want to add revenue to their coffers. I recommend buying a few extra just in case any of the six don't work - you can always take the unused ones back.

BryFin83 · #3 01-30-2010, 08:10 PM

i would change them all at onces really to save urswelf time for when the others burn out.

99offroadrngr · #4 01-30-2010, 08:43 PM

not to hack or anything but why do the pics have the sites name on them if they aren't owned by the site? just wondering...

Tom · #5 01-31-2010, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99offroadrngr

not to hack or anything but why do the pics have the sites name on them if they aren't owned by the site? just wondering...

You are correct, the original pictures are not owned by the site but (to the best of my knowledge, and STL can correct me if I'm wrong) the images were placed here with the authors permission.

To answer your question... the pics have the sites name on them simply because it's an image file on our server and it's common for users to embed images on other sites. So if anyone wants to take advantage of the images hosted on our server and thus using our bandwidth and our resources, they will be forced to advertise FRF.

EDIT: STL confirmed that Bob Ayers (the original author) did indeed grant this forum permission to use his work.

VanWhalen · #6 08-15-2011, 08:36 PM

Does anyone know the size of the bulb that goes in the 06+ Sport cluster? Cant find it in my manual

richarddhoward · #7 08-15-2011, 08:43 PM

Should be the same in all years, message Buggman (use the search feature) He will know for sure, or Pooleo

VanWhalen · #8 08-15-2011, 08:47 PM

Thank you! no there smaller

richarddhoward · #9 08-15-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanWhalen

Thank you! no there smaller

Good to know, I just traded my lights out for LED's, so i just did this swap, but I have a 97, not an 07 lol

ScottyJ8705 · #10 09-10-2011, 01:27 AM

this will come in handy, i had one go out which wasn't so bad, but then another went out that lights up the top of my speedometer around 60mph and i can never see that well at night to set my cruise control in that area of the gauge anymore

daboneman74 · #11 09-12-2011, 08:04 AM

Thanks for posting the detailed pics,I just bought a 2001 Ranger last week and noticed the check eng light does not come on with the key and wanted to check and see if it was taken out or burned out.

ob269 · #12 09-20-2011, 12:12 PM

Hey Myke(or anyone for that matter) do you know which size bulbs go in the dummy lights? I figure before I install the white cluster I have I should put all new bulbs in..

STL · #13 09-20-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ob269

Hey Myke(or anyone for that matter) do you know which size bulbs go in the dummy lights? I figure before I install the white cluster I have I should put all new bulbs in..

I would assume they are the same size

ob269 · #14 09-20-2011, 11:19 PM

Well they're not 194's(the dummy lights I mean) they're some small light that advance said they don't carry, id have to check w the dealershit..

boodaddy · #15 10-29-2011, 07:48 PM

Hello,

My dad has a 1997 Ford Ranger all his dash lights have burned out except for the speedometer light, and it is getting very dim. I am going to change all the lights, but the heater/ac lights have also stopped working. It it easy to change those as well? I'm not sure if it is a fuse out, or the lights.

How can I tell? It is getting cold out, and I don't want my dad to have to do this in the cold, so I am going to do it. I am a designer, so this should be really fun lol. Kinda like a blonde swimming in a corn field lol.

I have some images of my dash below. I appreciate your time and help. Are the dash lights the dame as the 1999 (6 194LL) ones?

Bobby