Just bought my first F150. 1997 XL. 4/3L, Loaded (no power windows/locks) Teal, Beautiful! Whoever owned this truck really took care of it. However, a dash light is out on the lft side near the fuel indicator. How difficult is it ti change it, and if I take apart the panel to change it, will I get squeeks when I put it back together?

DC

 

I have the exact same problem and would be very interested in any response as well. Sounds like I have the same truck also...I think I have 2 or 3 dash lights out. Just don't know how easy it would be to do it myself.

 

Well I can't tell you about changing the bulb, but I have gutted the dash on many occassions (alarm, cluster repair, paint, etc.) and I don't have any noises coming from the dash or it's contact points. In fact the only noise I have is from the rear panel due to a few clips coming out.

If your dash is screwed together like mine. A few pulls here a few screws there and as long is it's in the right order you'll be fine.

Oh, but don't for the love of god, break your headlight switch like my dumb *** did.

Have fun and good luck, and oh yeah buy the Haynes or Chilton guide it makes it look pretty easy.

 

I have done this on My 98. It is easy but somewhat time consuming. A haynes manual will help you, particually in the headlight switch removal, as this is the hardest part

Pop off the plastic cover piece over the steering wheel. it's held in just by clips.

This will reveal some of the mounting screws around the plastic that frames the instrument cluster. You will need to remove them as well as the ones at the top of the frame.

The headlight switch needs to be removed because there is one screw behind it that needs to be removed. Pull the switch **** out. This will reveal a little hole at the bottom of the **** where a jewlers screwdriver can be inserted to push the release mechanism for the ****. Remove the **** and reinstall 180 degrees. Turn the **** which will bring in the holding tabs, you may have to pry a bit while turning, so be carefull you don't mar the dash. Remove the switch an disconnect the wires, the hidden screw should be obvious now.

Set the tilt on the steering wheel all the way down, with all the screws removed, remove the plastic frame for the instrument cluster. now the 4 bolts that hold the cluser in shoud be revealed. Remove them.

Disconnect the wires to the cluster, if you have an automatic, slide the indicator guage out of the cluster, its held in by tabs that are obvious (need small hands for this). Wiggle the cluser out and place on a clean rag. The indicator bulbs are marked behind the cluster. They quarter turn twist out and may need pliers to help turn them.

Be sure to replace all illumination bulbs or you will be doing this again.

Reinstall is reverse of course. Take you time, and as said before, get a Haynes Manual.


Good luck

 

WOW! Quite in-depth. Thanks so much.

 

So if I read your post correctly, you take the entire gauge cluster out when changing the bulbs?

 

Yes. It is impossible to do while still mounted.

 

I guess it would be a good idea to have the bulbs prior to dismanteling your dash, does anybody knows what bulbs are needed? I have 2 bad bulbs aswell, but the ones on the right side, I'd fixed my A/C panel lights yesterday, and went half way to open my full dash, but did not continued because I don't have the bulbs, so also, how many bulbs are needed to change them all?