Odometer Backlight Repair
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Franklin Twp
Replaced the bulb in my odometer cluster today and boy is it nice to have a light there again at night! About an hour and a $1.50 bulb to repair. Like someone else posted I pulled a turn signal bulb out to test it and it worked!!
Now how pissed should we all be?? I'm not the only one told by the dealer that the "ONLY" fix was a new instrument panel cluster to the tune of $600. Are service departments completey unaware of the repair or would Ford rather sell instrument panel clusters??
I sent the Service Adviser at my dealership an email and he knows how PO'd I am. I'll be curious to see if I get a reply...
Thanks to 04F150supercrew for posting the link with the pics and directions, it really made it simple!
So according to my math I know have $597 to spend on other things, I bought a two pack of bulbs at $3.
Now how pissed should we all be?? I'm not the only one told by the dealer that the "ONLY" fix was a new instrument panel cluster to the tune of $600. Are service departments completey unaware of the repair or would Ford rather sell instrument panel clusters??
I sent the Service Adviser at my dealership an email and he knows how PO'd I am. I'll be curious to see if I get a reply...
Thanks to 04F150supercrew for posting the link with the pics and directions, it really made it simple!
So according to my math I know have $597 to spend on other things, I bought a two pack of bulbs at $3.
Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
On vaca in FL and not with the truck. I get home Sunday, I'll post the # or send you a PM.
Sorry,
Jeff T
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
Rich,
I bought Sylvania #37, it's certainly a little one!
Good Luck!!!
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I took my truck in two weeks ago for the same issue. Dealer has ordered a new cluster to replace mine under warranty. It disturbs me that the dealer doesn't know that it could have been fixed the same day just by replacing the bulb. Could have saved time and money with a little smarter workforce.
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
Thanks for the great write up.
I replaced mine in about 15 mins.
Autozone didnt have any sylvania #37 or know how to look that up but napa had them and I got 2 for 2.30.
Thanks that had been driving me nuts since I got this truck a week ago.
I replaced mine in about 15 mins.
Autozone didnt have any sylvania #37 or know how to look that up but napa had them and I got 2 for 2.30.
Thanks that had been driving me nuts since I got this truck a week ago.
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: California
Thanks!!!
Thank you to all of you that just put up info concerning this thread. I had it happen to me and followed the instructions you all had given and corrected my problem at minimal cost. You all rock!!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Millington Tn
That's awesome, I was also told It would cost 300+ to fix it. It took me 10 min and it fixed it! One question though, I have a wiring harnes hook up right to the left of my stering wheel behind the pannel that covers the guages. Any Idea what it is too? It has a plastic holder in the panel that keeps it from moving around.I think it is for the option to move the pedals. here are afew pix.
This is where it plugs into the plastic
This is the plug
This is where it plugs into the plastic
This is the plug
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
i have a 2005 f150 xlt. bought used with 60,000 miles. after about 75,000 miles my odometer would flicker on and off. now nothing. when i stop and take off my automatic door locks relock. kind of nerve racking in city traffic. but now am in need of help. have seen repairs for older instrument panels but not 05 and newer. any help would be appreciated.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 2
From: So. Cal.
The actual LCD, or the bulb that illuminates the LCD window? 2 different things, and definitely 2 different prices! I believe I have seen new LCD's available online when I was investigating cluster repair places. Probably not cheap, but a lot cheaper than a cluster. If it's only the illumination for the LCD, that's an easy and cheap one. Most of the parts stores carry the #37 bulbs in a 2 pack. I'm sure the dealers carry 'em too.
Last edited by code58; Feb 17, 2011 at 03:14 AM.