Instrument Cluster Light Replacement

[libertybob]

The light for my temperature gage on my '03 was burned out. Bugged me as it is dangerous to drive without knowing the engine temp. Replacement steps are:

1) Remove drive side grab handle - (mine were held on by 7/32" hex head screws. Used 7/32" deep well socket as could not find my 1/4" drive metric deep well sockets) Longest part of job was figuring out that Jeep used hex head screws instead of torx or allen head screws as posted elsewhere, so heads up!

2) Pull off the two trim bars below the inst. cluster cover. They just snap in.

3) pry up narrow trim panel next to windshield about 2/3 of way across. It goes across top of dash just under windshield. Snaps in

4) Remove 4 screws at bottom of cluster cover. these were behind 2 bottom trim bar panels. Remove 3 screws at top of cluster cover. These are under the narrow trim panel between the dash and windshield.

5) Remove instrument cover

6) Remove 4 screws from instrument cluster, pull out, and unplug electrical connector

7) use 1/4" socket to loosen burned out light socket and replace. Must have new socket as light is soldered into socket.

8) replacement is reverse procedure

Job took me about one hour but half the time was looking for tools and figuring out the grab handle used hex head screws. Should take about 20 minutes if you are organized. Wonder what a garage would charge. $75-$100 if there is a one hour minimum.

 

[ElCheapo]

Are all dash bulbs available that way? I have one out and am thinking to change to blue or red bulbs.

 

[libertybob]

Instrument cluster bulbs

All the bulbs in my '03 instrument cluster are the same. The tiny wire from the glass bulb is soldered into the socket which has a hex on the back for a 1/4" socket to remove them. Don't know where you would find colored bulbs as the light bulb socket is unlike any I have ever seen before. Glad to have mine fixed as burned out bulbs really bug me. I got my replacement bulbs from a wreck in a salvage yard and checked them with a voltmeter. Bet these would cost $5+ if they are unique to Jeep and dealer only source.

 

[ElCheapo]

I guess they aren't the "normal" #194 push in bulbs then.

 

[libertybob]

Check your bulbs

I was so focused on my temp gage light that I failed to notice that one on the speedometer was also burned out. So, I get to do it again. Will find out if my 20 minute estimate is good or not. Elcheapo, yes the bulbs are not standard bulbs that I have seen before. Check with the dealer to see what they look like before digging in.

 

[ElCheapo]

Can you post a pic?

 

[uss2defiant]

no pics in this old thread but there's a part number
http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/f202/how-replace-dead-instrument-cluster-lights-26151/

04839738AA

Around $2

 

[rcjohnson]

When I had to change the bulbs in the heater control the old bulbs had a blue cover on them and the new had a green cover. After changing I noticed the heater control lights up white and no longer has the green tint the rest of the dash does. I was wondering if the instrument cluster bulbs were the same way with having a colored cover on them? I have one on the tach that goes out intermittently. I want to change it but want to make sure it stays the green it is now.

 

[libertybob]

cluster light bulbs

All the instrument cluster light bulbs are clear glass. I had to resort to the salvage yard as I couldn't find replacements new. Maybe at the dealer.