I know many here are like me, tend to hit certain forums more regularly. So, after posting my tale in another section and reading that some were told and believed that a whole module had to be replaced at several hundred $$$ expense .... I thought I'ld post here as well.

Several weeks ago I noticed that my Odometer Backlight was "out", made it hard to see in daylight and impossible at night. I just repaired it tonight, took all of 20 minutes being careful, need 7mm nut driver or socket for 2 lower panel screws, two upper panel screws, and 4 screws holding instrument cluster in. Undo two connectors, pull cluster out, use small Torx for just three screws and replace bulb .... gray base is odometer information center back light. I also had a cup of coffee.



I had gotten my part numbers off the net and so .... knowing there were two wattages used, black base and gray base .... I visited my local Ford dealer who's parts person said it was a 194 .... "NOT" ....
.... and then they said they've never replaced a bulb in an 04-08 odometer LC Display. My guess is likely simular up through 2011 or 2012?

Next week I was in Roanoke, Va. at Magic City, they knew the bulbs were different but did not have any currently in stock. The black base bulbs were near $6 each and came ind, the gray base ones came in boxes of 4 at over $6 each he said. I politely said I thought I'ld order from my local dealer.

I came home, searched the net and found my best prices at Varsity Ford Parts ( http://www.partswebsite.com/varsityfordparts/) and they were ...
$4.80 each for black base bulbs YL3Z13B765CA ...
and
$3.84 each for gray base bulbs YL3Z13B765DA ...
shipping was just over $10 no matter how many it seemed? I ordered a few spares, they were here is a couple days.

My '07 FX4 .... she's fixed all better now.

Black socket ones(dial illumination or backlight) YL3Z13B765CA (shipped individ see-thru wrapper)
and
Gray socket ones (indicator illumination and odometer back light) YL3Z13B765DA (shipped in box of 4, priced each)

It was getting dark and I was hungry so .... I forgot to count them each, was a bunch though. At the costs each and the ease with which they can be accessed once you pull that dash face off the first time to learn .... I'ld say replace on an "as needed basis".

 

I just picked up some Sylvania #73's and replaced the bulb in the re-usable gray base. Picked up a pack of 2 at autozone, I think it was, for a few bucks. They are 1.1w and work great.

 

I replaced my odometer backlight bulb a few months ago in my '05. My buddy who works for a Ford dealership mailed me a couple of the tiny bulbs, and I'm pretty sure that they were less than a buck a piece. I simply pulled the old bulb out of the plastic base and pressed a new bulb in.

 

Yep .... Today I took my blown bulb in base with me to work (part time Advance Auto Pts now) and I was looking at it closer and telling my buddy there how I ordered the bulbs, etc .... and low and behold, the bulb does come out of the gray base and it is a 1.1 watt #73 bulb. So now I have a few extras and extra bases ....

He told me that he's seen some (said he has a neighbor with a truck that uses them) come in that the bulb was made with the base and didn't unplug but he thought from looking at mine, looked like the base was the same size so with the bases amd #73 bulbs, he thought they could be used in those cases.

I have a spare new gray base and bulb and the original base now .... and three of the bulbs in black bases. Now .... I'll have to lok at those black base bulbs, see if they also come apart?

Oh yeah .... I can get a box of 10 #73s for $2.50. :o

 

Replace them with LED #74 base..you will thank yourself.. Here: http://www.v-leds.com/24-74-LED/Whit...orLanding/true

 

I might do that next time I'm in there .... now that I know they are #73.

I'm guessing you have done so ....
.... still work with dimmer?
.... not "too bright" are they?

 

They work just as well as the regular ones only slightly brighter and better light output IMO. I did the whole interior LED replacement thing...big difference. I didn't do the 'solder-in' LED's in the switches, that was just too much of a headache.....

 

I haven't searched for that topic yet, but is it safe to assume that you can get the LED's in different colors? I wouldn't mind playing around with different colors for my cluster lighting. Part numbers?

 

I've dealt with these folks several times, always extremely satisfied.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/

 

My LED light works showing the odometer mileage off and on. It goes out when it wants to and on when it wants to. Any answers out there.

 

The reading just comes and goes. Somebody told me that it was common with Ford trucks. Mine is 2001 S'crew 5.4.

 

Yours is a totally different problem. My '99 had the same problem as yours, and it was a simple fix with a soldering gun:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...er-repair.html

 

Anyone know how much to replace the instrument panel cover? Mine is cracking right up the middle driving me crazy! After reading the op's post it don't seem hard to do. As long as it don't cost a crazy price.

 

10 minute job MAX ... if you take your time.

 

I appreciate everyone jumping in. The odometer LED's are working fine and bright. Its keeping them on that is the issue.