Instrument lights
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Joined: Oct 2014
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Instrument lights
Hey Guys,
I recently picked up a 97 XLT Extended Cab 4.6 4x4 about 6 months ago and Im just working on some little things she needs. When I picked up the truck, there was only 1 illumination bulb in the gauge cluster that was functioning. All of the idiot lights worked, it was the illumination lights that lit up the speedo, tach, gas, etc that didn't work. So I just pulled the cluster out, replaced the 5 illumination bulbs and they all work now, however, there are still some dead spots on my gauges. Specifically, the Oil temp and Voltage meter are pretty dark (although faintly visible) and there is a slight dead spot on the tach right around 3K rpm. I've checked the back of the cluster with the lights on and all 5 of the illumination bulbs are functioning so not really sure why the dead spots are there. There does not appear to be specific bulbs for those gauges so about the only thing I can think of is with 225k on the clock, and most of those miles carrying a few dogs around (it was my sister in laws truck so I know the history of it) that some dust might have worked its way in there and covered up those spots. When I first got the truck I gutted it completely except for the dash and head liner and scrubbed all those years of dog out of it and it was pretty bad so im thinking this could be possible.
If im not missing any bulbs, then does anyone know how difficult it is to disassemble these things?? Then only thing that concerns me any is just removing the gauge needles. Any info on how to remove those needles would be a big help. I need to use the truck next weekend for a camping trip and I really don't want to have to go junkyard huntin' if I don't have to. Thanks!!
I recently picked up a 97 XLT Extended Cab 4.6 4x4 about 6 months ago and Im just working on some little things she needs. When I picked up the truck, there was only 1 illumination bulb in the gauge cluster that was functioning. All of the idiot lights worked, it was the illumination lights that lit up the speedo, tach, gas, etc that didn't work. So I just pulled the cluster out, replaced the 5 illumination bulbs and they all work now, however, there are still some dead spots on my gauges. Specifically, the Oil temp and Voltage meter are pretty dark (although faintly visible) and there is a slight dead spot on the tach right around 3K rpm. I've checked the back of the cluster with the lights on and all 5 of the illumination bulbs are functioning so not really sure why the dead spots are there. There does not appear to be specific bulbs for those gauges so about the only thing I can think of is with 225k on the clock, and most of those miles carrying a few dogs around (it was my sister in laws truck so I know the history of it) that some dust might have worked its way in there and covered up those spots. When I first got the truck I gutted it completely except for the dash and head liner and scrubbed all those years of dog out of it and it was pretty bad so im thinking this could be possible.
If im not missing any bulbs, then does anyone know how difficult it is to disassemble these things?? Then only thing that concerns me any is just removing the gauge needles. Any info on how to remove those needles would be a big help. I need to use the truck next weekend for a camping trip and I really don't want to have to go junkyard huntin' if I don't have to. Thanks!!
