72 gauge cluster bulb replacement

[dukcaln]

so any tricks or tips... can the bulbs be replaced from the back easy with out taking cluster off.....

[Dingfodgy]

Yeah, you should be able to get to them with the cluster in place. It'll be a P.I.T.A. but possible. For as simple as it is to remove the cluster....it's a 10 minute job that will save you much more in the long run.
Nonetheless, here's a photo of where all the sockets are. Just remember "righty-tighty, lefty-loosy".

[mrein3]

I never tried it with the cluster installed.
However when I do have it out I test ALL the lights in the cluster so I don't have to take it apart right away again.

I have one of those "jump box" things I got for a Christmas present a few years ago. It is essentially a lawn mower battery in a nice carrying box with two shorter jumper cables coming off the back. It doesn't have enough amps to start a cold, dead truck or car but with a pair of leads clamped in the jumper cables it is a nice way to get a clean (acid free or maybe I should say acid contained) 12V supply in the house when it is cold out so I can test things like cluster light bulbs.

I just had the cluster out of my 98 Escort and went through all the bulbs. I knew one was out and ended up replacing another one.

This isn't mine but simply a picture I just grabbed off the web:

[LockDoc]

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Unless you are a big guy or have trouble laying on your back in tight places it shouldn't be a problem to change them in place. Unfortunately you can't slide the seat back in an unmodified truck. I change bulbs all the time without removing the clusters.

LockDoc

[tubbedII]

Can you point out which ones illuminate the cluster and which ones are indicators? I bought new ones, but only for the illumination.

[dukcaln]

i am a big guy so laying may be more of a hassel. What does it take to remove the cluster

[tubbedII]

Depends on how far you need it out. The bezel itself it just screws along the outter edge, but the speedo cable and oil gauge are connected, so depending on how much play you have you may have to disconnect those to get it out fully. I can't remember if the column needed to drop a little or not on mine, I don't think so, but the cover underneath it needs to come off.

[LockDoc]

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http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=164357

LockDoc

[camrycurt]

Originally Posted by tubbedII

Can you point out which ones illuminate the cluster and which ones are indicators? I bought new ones, but only for the illumination.

In the picture posted by Dingfodgy, the four bulbs that run from edge to edge straight across the middle of the cluster provide the general illumination (one on each side of the speedo and gas gauge).

The two in the lower left below the gas gauge are the brake and temp indicators.

The two in the upper middle of the cluster are the turn signal indicators. And the single bulb above the speedo is the high beam indicator.

[tubbedII]

Thanks, camrycurt! That was perfect! Now, just gotta be able to blindly feel for these!

[72GMCK-2500]

I just simply took my whole cluster out of my 72'. just take off the wiper/headlight knobs and unscrew the chrome thingys. then the bottom plate (2 big philipshead screws) then the rubber around the steering column(slide it up), then unscrew the cluster(6-8 screws), then i just unhooked my speedo cable to pull the cluster out completely. Heres a tip: use the correct 194 bulbs! i used bigger bulbs with a 194 base and it melted my printed circut and burnt some of the inside plastics. Not fun to smell burning plastic at 2AM when your plowing snow with no gauge light!

[camrycurt]

Originally Posted by tubbedII

Thanks, camrycurt! That was perfect! Now, just gotta be able to blindly feel for these!

No problem.

As LockDoc said, it's actually pretty easy to get to them without removing the cluster. I've replaced them all a couple of times by just laying on my back on the driver's side floor with my legs and rear end sticking out of the open door. You can get your head up by the pedals and can see everything pretty clearly with a flashlight, and if you're not too big you should be able to snake one arm up behind the cluster and twist the sockets loose.

Good luck! Functional dash lights are a good thing.

[dukcaln]

thanks I need the light bad too....LOL

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by 72GMCK-2500

I just simply took my whole cluster out of my 72'. just take off the wiper/headlight knobs and unscrew the chrome thingys. then the bottom plate (2 big philipshead screws) then the rubber around the steering column(slide it up), then unscrew the cluster(6-8 screws), then i just unhooked my speedo cable to pull the cluster out completely. Heres a tip: use the correct 194 bulbs! i used bigger bulbs with a 194 base and it melted my printed circut and burnt some of the inside plastics. Not fun to smell burning plastic at 2AM when your plowing snow with no gauge light!

For what its worth, my 1998 Escort, 1994 Escort, 1972 Chevelle, 1971 Chevelle, and my 1970 pickup all use 194 bulbs for instrument cluster lights. Because of that fact I "stock" them in my shop along with 1156s and 1157s. There is nothing worse than getting that deep into a project then having to go to the auto parts store for a stupid bulb.

Those same 194s also light up your side marker lights on your pickup if so equipped.

[dukcaln]

thanks all, for all the useful info...learned alot