Grrrrrr.... dash light bulb
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Grrrrrr.... dash light bulb
I have 1 bulb out on the left upper corner of my tach. I removed the screws from the front of the gauge cluster, removed the bottom column cover. Pulled the cluster as far forward as i could (maybe 1 inch or less) and snaked my hand up behind. I can feel what I believe are the bulb sockets - they feel like you should twist them out but they dont twist nor can i pull them straight out. I hate to have to tear this thing apart any further to replace a bulb. Help?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 201
Likes: 1
From: Taunton Ma
I had a similar issue when i changed my tach cable. No mater what I did i couldn't get my hand in there to remove the cable there just wasn't enough room from the bottom or the top. Here is what you need to do. You got hte gage cluster pulled away which is good, now you need to drop the steering wheel. Just two bolts under the dash. This will let it fall about an inch or so but you will be able to pull the gage cluster out a little more. Now take some balled up rags to place between the bezel and the dash to hold the bezel out as far as it can while you are working. Here is the part that makes all of the difference, remove the wiper switch bezel this leaves a large enough hole where you can get your arm in and reach the socket. The sockets are spring loaded and just push into a hole in the tach assembly. I even had enough room to replace one of the sockets in this area that was giving me problems.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 201
Likes: 1
From: Taunton Ma
Not sure your AC ducts might get in the way. It's not going to take you long to look there are only a couple of screws on the wiper switch bezel. I could not believe how easy it was to replace the tach drive cable reaching in through tht wiper bezel.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
What year? Illumination lamps clip in for 76 and earlier cars. Be aware that, with age, you can leave the ring clip in the cluster when you pull the lamp socket.
Ask me how I know.
Ask me how I know.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jun 24, 2011 at 12:14 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 201
Likes: 1
From: Taunton Ma
Not sure that I would lube them up I believe that those little fingers are what makes connection to your ground. Just take your time avoid turning them this seems to break two small post that hold the ring to the socket. Once they are broken you will need to replace the socket.
