Gas gauge light out on Taurus

[sailor86]

We've got an '03 Taurus that's burned out the bulb for the gas gauge. How do I go about replacing it? I don't have to take the dash apart, do I?

[shorod]

I've moved your vehicle-specific thread to the appropriate forum.

I believe the answer is, yes, you will need to remove the instrument cluster. That generally is not that difficult of a task, but I don't have experience on the 2003. Hopefully someone who does will chime in.

-Rod

[sailor86]

Originally Posted by shorod

I've moved your vehicle-specific thread to the appropriate forum.

I believe the answer is, yes, you will need to remove the instrument cluster. That generally is not that difficult of a task, but I don't have experience on the 2003. Hopefully someone who does will chime in.

-Rod

When you say instrument cluster, do you mean the entire dash?

[shorod]

Nope, just the instrument cluster. It's the cluster that contains the instruments - aka: "gauge pod". There are probably a couple of screws that hold a trim ring in place. Remove those screws, then unsnap the trim away from the bezel. With the trim removed you'll probably see about 6 screws holding the instrument cluster in place. Be alert for some screws that may just hold the clear plastic lens to the cluster, you shouldn't need to remove those, just the ones that hold the cluster in. This will probably make more sense once you remove the trim. With the screws for the cluster removed, wiggle the cluster away from the dash. Once you get enough space to get your hand behind the cluster, reach behind it and disconnect the electrical connectors. With the connectors disconnected you should be able to pull the cluster free from the dash. On the back side of the cluster you will see several bulb holders. To remove these with the bulbs you twist the holders about 1/4 turn counter-clockwise and pull them out. You can pull the bulb out and slide a new bulb in. You will reuse the holder so don't throw it away with the bad bulb. Again, this will probably make more sense when you get the cluster out.

-Rod

[sailor86]

Originally Posted by shorod

Nope, just the instrument cluster. It's the cluster that contains the instruments - aka: "gauge pod". There are probably a couple of screws that hold a trim ring in place. Remove those screws, then unsnap the trim away from the bezel. With the trim removed you'll probably see about 6 screws holding the instrument cluster in place. Be alert for some screws that may just hold the clear plastic lens to the cluster, you shouldn't need to remove those, just the ones that hold the cluster in. This will probably make more sense once you remove the trim. With the screws for the cluster removed, wiggle the cluster away from the dash. Once you get enough space to get your hand behind the cluster, reach behind it and disconnect the electrical connectors. With the connectors disconnected you should be able to pull the cluster free from the dash. On the back side of the cluster you will see several bulb holders. To remove these with the bulbs you twist the holders about 1/4 turn counter-clockwise and pull them out. You can pull the bulb out and slide a new bulb in. You will reuse the holder so don't throw it away with the bad bulb. Again, this will probably make more sense when you get the cluster out.

-Rod

By any chance would you know the part number for the bulb? Rather know before I remove things.

[shorod]

Older Fords used 194 bulbs I believe, not sure what the 2003 uses.

-Rod