Replacing dashboard gauge lights

[austin21]

Planning on doing some interior pimping to my '97 Lumina. First project is the dashboard gauge lights. First, I have no idea how to get to them. I assume I would have to tear apart of the dashboard.

Any pointers?

[McLin]

Remove the Cover on dashboard ( instrument panel cluster trim plate and remove the dash under the steering wheel (4 screws)), you must set the transmission to 2, and make the steering wheel down, then you must remove 2 screws on the gauge (outer right and left not the plastik cover), its a torx, then slide the guage out and remove the lights...

[airsense00]

Hey thanks I have many burnt out bulbs and was planning on doing this today thanks for the tips.

[Cubsfan24]

When I replaced my stock cluster with a cluster with a tach, the service engine soon light was burnt out on the new cluster. All I did was twist the bulb out of the old cluster and put it in the new one. If you don't have any spare bulbs then I think you have to desolder and buy a special bulb and solder it back onto the special connector. I have my old cluster collecting dust in the basement (can't throw anything out right?). If you want to buy some of the bulbs we can work something out. Mclin is right about taking apart the dash. You don't have to take the entire cluster out to change the bulbs. Once you take the two screws holding the cluster in, there is enough slack in the shifter cable and data cable to tilt it forward and change the bulbs. I find the hardest part is getting the piece of trim back over the steering wheel when you are done.

[airsense00]

Ok I finished the job yesterday. I thought it was fairly easy to do. The only tips I can give is use a 5.5mm socket instead of the torx. Try not to pop off the spring of the gear position indicator, it took me a while to find it in the garage. Other than that the hardest problem is finding the bulbs with harness. You can't just replace the bulbs on the larger ones. You have to buy the entire bulb with the socket. It took me 3 dealers to track one down. My SES light was out too but a bulb from autozone took care of that.