vidvet02

Took my gauge cluster out today and changed out small light for lighting the - Options and Trip buttons. Now all my lights work! Took about 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete.

FX VETTE

Congrats! Feels good to DIY

Rico7142

Vetteman Jack

Congrats on a successful DIY.

cadillac531

Hi there, what light bulbs did you use to change out the old one with? I have my DIC switch out and am looking for the proper bulbs.

Thanks.

vidvet02

i bought lights from Ajax corvette salvage in independence MO. He took them out of a damaged cluster. They were coated blue. I don't see any numbers on bulbs. I believe someone told me they were a t5. Sorry I don't have any more information. He sold me bulbs and the little holders. Mine are all working now. Hope you get yours going.
Good luck.

Clancy209

Having a hard time finding bulbs #7129. Did have to solder new bulbs in?

cadillac531

OK, thanks. That's what I took out of mine, too, they've got a blue coating to them. I reached out to one of the light bulb places that sells the 7129's. I sent him a picture of the bulbs I removed, and he told me they were a proprietary GM part. He's never seen them anywhere in the aftermarket. So, it looks like if I don't find these, the buttons will remain unlit.

cadillac531

I don't believe the 7129's are the ones in the DIC. In that other thread you started, the photos of the 7129's are not the ones in the DIC switch.

GCG

The blue coating is actually a little silicone cover that can be transferred from bulb to bulb. It can be purchased here under part number 16925K11 (scroll down to the section for Colored Light Bulb Covers for Miniature Bulbs).

The bulb I'm not sure if it is a T1 or T1.5, but take a look at these ones. They might fit.

You can also go LEDs, and do your own or get them already assembled like these ones.

No need to remain in the darkness

JW Motorsports

Good stuff. It's not a super easy job.

Clancy209

How did you get the DIC panel out?

Ph300zx

As above, I'm about to do mine and read a few guides so be good to know what method you used. Easiest I've seen so far involves removing the centre console, lower steering wheel shroud, A-pillar and two screws in the instrument cluster.

cadillac531

Thanks very much for the input. Am I correct in understanding that I can remove the bulb from the black holder/case/whatever, and install another bulb in its place? Is it pretty easy to do, or a PIA?

GCG

Yes. Just unwind the bulb's wire leads from the socket, replace the bulb and redo the winding.

cadillac531

Perfect, I had re-looked at it yesterday and realized it's just wound around. I appreciate the input on this. Thanks.

cadillac531

The T1 bulb seems to be the one. I removed the burnt bulbs today and I mic'd the one to be .167in in diameter, and .338in in length. The one on the website is a little longer, but I don't think it will make that much of an issue.

What exactly is the purpose of the lightbulb cover? I, unfortunately, ripped one of those covers. Is it purely for changing the hue of the lighting? Thanks.

GCG

Yes, it seems it's T1. The one I found in my quick search is T1.25 and it's a little bigger. You can give it a try or search a little more.

The blue silicone cover is just to change the hue of the light and make it a little colder, whitish/blueish. You can get a pack of 10 for $6.50 from the link I gave you, otherwise you'll have adjacent lights with different hues.

Clancy209

How did you get the DIC panel out without destroying the trim????

GCG

This link may help.