Replacing Dashboard Lights

[mbak57]

One of my dashboard lights has gone out on my 98 Ford Escort. I know it's not a fuse because it is just one light. I've also lost the light for the automatic shift on the floor.
I can live with that one, but if I lose anymore dashboard lights I won't be able to drive at night.
What's involved in changing the dashboard lights? I saw a posting for a 91 Escort, but wasn't sure if that changed for the 98.

[bigrod118]

well, of course the 91 and the 98 are going to be different, but its really the same basic stuff. you'll have to drop the steering column(4 bolts) and there will be some screws(probably torx) holding the dash on, underneath the dasm trim, then inside the gauge "hub, on top. then that plastic peie will come off, then a few screws holding the plasic clear lens on, then a few securing the gauge cluster and a bitch of a conection in the back to get the cluster out. then once you get the cluster out, there simple turn in light bulbs that can just removed. pretty simple but for your first time it might take a while, I suggest getting the haynes manual. it'll show pictures and tell you step by step. its what I followed and it worked so.

[KCEscort]

The last guy forgot to mention that you need to disconnect the speedo cable from the engine, and push it back through the dashboard. This allows you to pull out the instrument cluster - maybe that's what he was referring to as the "bitch" of a connection - the speedo cable connected to the back of the instrument cluster. Once pulled out though, the bulbs are super easy to change. - Might as well replace all of them once you're in there.