alurzen

1999 c5 replace burned out lights bottom 2

JR-01

Yes, you should replace burnt out lights.

alurzen

do you have to remove dash board to replace lights to get at instrument panel?

knewblewkorvette

No, you do not. But you have to remove center console, radio bezel, and lower steering wheel just to get to where the gauge cluster out.

beboggled

What is the bulb size for it?

alurzen

Thank you, little too much for me take on.

GCG

It's actually not that bad if you can follow step-by-step directions. Vette Essentials use to have a great guide to do this, but unfortunately their website is no longer up and it seems they are not in business anymore. Perhaps someone downloaded their guide and can share it with you.

SG Lou

Small, very small.

Not likely you'll find it at Autozone, Advanced Auto, etc, etc


OEM bulb on the right, LED replacement on the left

GCG

Two sizes are used, but I don't remember where each one goes. They are T3 and T4 Neowedge bulbs. Here are their dimensions in millimeters:

jdmvette

buy these and do the whole cluster since you're in there.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/corvette-97...RYcUgD&vxp=mtr

you can choose green or red white & blue.

alurzen

bulbs from ecklers are as big as a pencil eraser, very small part no.353013

Mike94ZLT1

Sweet... My "E/M" and "reset" button lights have taken a crap on me, are these the bulbs for it?

jdmvette

Hey Mike,

The LED bulbs in the link I posted above will do the trick. The seller is a good guy and likely a forum member.

Here's some pics of his bulbs and a stock one.

GCG

Here you go: the Vette Essentials step-by-step guide.

grampi50

What does DIC stand for?

DonsC5

Driver Information Center?

chasboy

Gang, the above info is correct. They are called Neo-Wedge. Most common sizes I’ve found are 3,4 and 5 mm. The 5’s go into the door buttons and are a very easy replacement. The DIC uses 2 sizes if memory serves me right, and disassembly is as pictured above, and is more tedious than technical. I’ve done this mod to both C5’s I’ve owned. The Z was blue, this car is red.
JWM used to provide a simple shematic to test the bulb’s polarity before replacement using a 9 volt battery. If I can find my copy I will post it here. I got my bulbs from Superbrightleds.com.

There is a big HOWEVER when doing this. Replacement bulb quality varies. The key problem, which one can visualize above is the thickness of the base. In some, the base is thicker and if forced into the socket will crack the circuit board which forms the socket. On my Z, I attempted to make the base thinner by removing the led itself and sanding the base. It worked ok, but then after examining the oem and replacements, I saw the layout was identical. As also pictured above, I removed the original tungsten bulb and replaced it with the led. Worked seamlessly.
Summing up: I’ve had some neo wedges go right in, others after mods of their base and others involving the described ‘bulb transfer’. I’ve never had a problem with them afterward and highly recommend this mod as a fun way to ‘wake up’ the interior. Even if you go with white, it still looks a lot better than the weak stock bulbs.
One last caveat: the bases have a straight ‘screw slot’ to ease install/removal. They usually get distorted from the pressure needed to turn the bulb. I gave up and use a fine pointed needle nose plier inserted into the 2 holes where the wires go thru. Allows easy turning, and assists in removal and placement of the bulbs. Just don’t turn to hard!!

jdmvette

with the needle nose method. A flathead chews up the soft plastic on the bulbs.