I have a 1991 Ford Escort . The bulbs have blown in the intrument panel. I have the screws removed and the panel is loose but I can't get it off because of the knobs to adjust the mirrors and the rear defrost button. Is there a clip or something holding them? Thanks for any advice! Brenda
HELP!!!
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yeah, there are clips behind them holding them in place. find someone with small hands, so they can disconnect the neccissary cords. but if you're trying to reach the gauge cluster, you might want to take off your steering column. there are three or four bolts holding it in place underneath the column. remove the bolts, and the column will rest nicely on the seat.
good luck! (you'll need it).
good luck! (you'll need it).
Brenda,
Once you get the front panel off, you won't be able to get the gauge cluster off until you disconnect TWO electrical connectors on the back, and most importantly, the speedometer cable. You have to lie on your back on the floor of the driver's side, and reach your hand up there and unclip it.
My hand came out bloody the first time I did it, but you get better the more you do it. Have fun!!! </sarcasm>
Once you get the front panel off, you won't be able to get the gauge cluster off until you disconnect TWO electrical connectors on the back, and most importantly, the speedometer cable. You have to lie on your back on the floor of the driver's side, and reach your hand up there and unclip it.
My hand came out bloody the first time I did it, but you get better the more you do it. Have fun!!! </sarcasm>
to get the clips off what i did was get a screw driver with a small flat head the one for the defroster is accessible from the top, then pryoff, the other one i think is the same (cant remember sorry). The easy way to change the bulbs is to diconnect the speedometer cable. The cable is on the passenger side of the transmission close to the firewall. If u cant see it, its a thick (3/4 inch) tube coming out of the firewall going into the transmission. Take out the pin holding it into place (i used vise grips, pliers could work) DONT LOSE IT! pull the cable out of the hole. Then get back in the car and pull the cluster out enough so you can get your hands behind it. Theres 3 connections one on the top in the middle, two one the sides. Clips give out easy, so just squeeze and pull it out. Then pull the cluster out (should slowly come out, if you put too much force on it, then you disconnected the wrong thing :evil: ) and disconnect the speedometer cable from the back.
Now that you have the cluster out, unscrew the bulbs from the back. Its easy to tell the broken bulbs from the good ones, the broken ones look chrome plated or something.
I had to replace more than 10 bulbs, so i just went to the junkyard and bought a cluster with a tach in it for $15. Of course i made sure it had a lot of good bulbs before buying it :wink: .
the tach doesnt work for now, but it will when i can run some wire into the cabin.
Now that you have the cluster out, unscrew the bulbs from the back. Its easy to tell the broken bulbs from the good ones, the broken ones look chrome plated or something.
I had to replace more than 10 bulbs, so i just went to the junkyard and bought a cluster with a tach in it for $15. Of course i made sure it had a lot of good bulbs before buying it :wink: .
the tach doesnt work for now, but it will when i can run some wire into the cabin.
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