Just went through the hassle of replacing a burnt out bulb in my instrument cluster by performing steps contained in the following document:
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/1999...ash/dashp1.asp

When I did the repair I was unable to find the stock Stanley 7073 Xenon bulbs. They just aren't around anymore. I found some posts on the forum where guys had put a 194 bulb in as a replacement (but not as bright), so I went to GM to get one. The parts guy found a different 194 style bulb with a magnifying lens at the end of the bulb, which in theory I assumed would be brighter than the regular 194. Installed it expecting it to be dimmer than the rest of the Xenon bulbs and it was the same intensity as the stock bulbs, and the lighting is totally consistent on the cluster.

GM PN# 943313183 Bulb SP 089910 - List price 4.10 CAD

Don't know how well this bulb will last in the long term, as the Xenon were extremely long life bulbs 2,000-3000 hours.

After I got the dash installed I received a reply from Gordon Killbrew, who is mr. C4. He has some of the stock Xenon bulbs, and I am currently in the process of getting a set of these for backup.

So you could try Gordon as another source as well. His web address is http://www.gordonkillebrew.com/pages/800737/index.htm

I am quite pleased to have this fixed, as this has been screwed up for so long (2 years), and I just wanted to share my info, in case anybody else has the same problem. Also if you need info on performing the install/uninstall drop me a line..

 

chamilton, the information provided in your post is worth saving for the archives as other members will suffer the same problem eventually, and this thread will have disappeared.

You should take a few moments and prepare a Tech Tip on this subject for others to reference at a later date. If you haven't published a Tip, just click on Tools on the menu bar, click on C4 Tech Tips, and enter the info as a New Topic.

Thanks for sharing...............


[Modified by Oldman, 10:54 AM 2/28/2003]

 

Just want to add my experience to your thread:

I just replaced a couple of bulbs on my '89 digital cluster too. :banghead:
You can get the replacement bulbs from MidAmerica OR go to WalMart and get the regular 168xl bulbs (these are same as the 194's only brighter). The 'xl' suffix stands for extended life - 3,000 hours as opposed to 1,500 hours for the regular 168's. :)

The 168xl bulbs are WAY cheaper than the Stanleys. ;)
Plus, the 168's generate less heat than the Stanleys. :hurray:

 

Been running plain old 194's in my 89 dash for years. For $0.69 ea they work just fine. Any auto parts store has them.

 

I wouldn't use the brighter bulbs because they use MORE current and they are controlled by the cluster auto diming control circuit - and it will overload eventually. Then you replace the cluster. :eek: