Instrument panel bulb removal

YOU NEED TO REMOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO REPLACE ANY BULB WITHIN IT

Hi, it's possible the bulb is burned out or not making good contact with the circuit board. It should come on during the bulb check when you first turn the key on. Pull out the cluster and check the bulb. If it's good, see if you can clean the contact surfaces to get it working again. Or, move to another state where they don't worry about stupid things like a light bulb.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

See Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Fig. Fig. 1: To remove the instrument cluster, first remove the trim panel by removing the lower fascia panel

Fig. Fig. 2: With the lower fascia moved aside, remove the lower trim panel attaching screws ...

Fig. Fig. 3: ... as well as the upper attaching screws

Fig. Fig. 4: Then pull the entire instrument trim panel from the dash board

Fig. Fig. 5: Exploded view of the instrument cluster

Fig. Fig. 6: Rear view of the instrument cluster wire routing and connections

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Remove the two steering column shroud-to-panel retaining screws and remove the shroud.
3. Remove the lower instrument panel trim.
4. Remove the cluster trim cover from the instrument panel by removing the eight screws.
5. Remove the four instrument cluster to panel retaining screws.
6. Position the cluster slightly away from the panel for access to the back of the cluster to disconnect the speedometer.

If there is not sufficient access to disengage the speedometer cable from the speedometer, it may be necessary to remove the speedometer cable at the transmission and pull cable through cowl, to allow room to reach the speedometer quick disconnect.

1. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the printed circuit, and any bulb-and-socket assemblies from the wiring harness to the cluster assembly and remove the cluster assembly from the instrument panel.

To install:

1. Apply approximately 1 / 8 in. diameter ball of D7AZ-19A331-A Silicone Dielectric compound or equivalent in the drive hole of the speedometer head.
2. Position the cluster near its opening in the instrument panel.
3. Connect the wiring harness connector to the printed circuit, and any bulb-and-socket assemblies from the wiring harness to the cluster assembly.
4. Position the cluster to the instrument panel and install the four cluster to panel retaining screws.
5. Install the panel trim covers and the steering column shroud.
6. Connect the battery ground cable.
7. Check operation of all gauges, lamps and signals.

Hello,

Step by step:

1. remove the piece that goes directly on top of the steering column.. this is held by clips, no screws

2. remove the one screw that holds the dash piece that goes BELOW the steering column.. this can now drop down by pulling it - the rest is clips.

3. remove the 3 screws that are visible that hold the dash piece that goes ABOVE the instrument panel. that piece is NOT ready to be pulled off yet!!

4. begin to carefully pull that dash piece that goes ABOVE the instrument panel out until you can access a spot where the headlight switch is coming out with the panel - there will be a plastic piece that you need to push in that acts like a clip - then the headlight switch can be removed and you will see the final screw that holds the panel in place - remove that screw.

5. once you have removed the above, you can access the 4 screws that hold the instrument panel in place - remove them.

6. carefully pull the instrument panel out. if you want to completely remove the instrument panel for easier access to the lights, you will need to first remove the transmission indicator ( P N D 2 1).. this can be achieved by looking along each side of it for the clips, pushing them in and sliding the piece down off the instrument panel.

7. pull the instrument panel outwards until you can access the wire harnesses.. push the clip in and pull them out (there are 3 harnesses for the instrument panel).

8. the instrument panel can now be completely removed and you will need to flip it over to see the back of the panel. the small white plastic pieces are all labeled on the pc board - ford even throws in some extra free bulbs if you dont have 4x4 (they install the bulbs the indicate your 4x4 status even if it will leave the factory without 4x4!).. the larger black ones are for the backlighting for the gauges - these must all be turned counter-clockwise to remove and clockwise to put back in.. they can be tough to get out and pliers can aid in turning them to remove.

9. follow the instructions in reverse to reassemble.

Best regards

one hour job. find bulb part number in bulb chart in owner manual.

go here for villager help.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/villagerquest/

Section 13-01B: Instrument Cluster — Conventional 1996 Villager Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Instrument Panel Finish Panel Removal

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301).
   

1. Block the wheels (1007) to prevent the vehicle from moving.
   

1. Turn the ignition switch (11572) to the OFF position.
   

1. Shift the transmission range (TR) selector to MANUAL LOW (1).
   

1. Tilt the steering wheel (3600) to the lowest position, if equipped with a tilt wheel.
   

1. Remove the two instrument panel finish panel screws.
   

1. Remove the instrument panel finish panel (044D70) enough to access the switch electrical connectors.
   

1. Disconnect the rear windshield wiper/washer switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the heated back window and light switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the emergency warning switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the SECURITY indicator light electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the speed control on/off (CRUISE CONT. ON/OFF) switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the headlamp switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the autolamp/light switch rheostat resistor electrical connector.
   

1. Remove the instrument panel finish panel with the switches attached.
   

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instrument Cluster
Removal

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301).
   

1. Block the wheels (1007) to prevent the vehicle from moving.
   

1. Turn the ignition switch (11572) to the OFF position.
   

1. Shift the transmission range (TR) selector to MANUAL LOW (1).
   

1. Tilt the steering wheel (3600) to the lowest position, if equipped with a tilt wheel.
   

1. Remove the two instrument panel finish panel screws.
   

1. Remove the instrument panel finish panel (044D70) enough to access the switch electrical connectors.
   

1. Disconnect the rear windshield wiper/washer switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the heated back window and light switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the emergency warning switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the SECURITY indicator light electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the speed control on/off (CRUISE CONT. ON/OFF) switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the headlamp switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the autolamp/light switch rheostat resistor electrical connector.
   

1. Remove the instrument panel finish panel with the switches attached.
   

1. Remove the four instrument cluster screws.
   
2. Remove the transmission range indicator (7A110) from the instrument cluster (10849).
   

LOOK FOR TWO SMALL SCREWS AT THE TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, REMOVE SCREWS AND WITHDRAW THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SURROUND, YOU SHOULD THEN SEE TWO MORE SCREWS HOLDING THE INSTRUMENT IN PLACE REMOVE THE SCREWS EITHER SIDE THEN PULL OUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THEN DISCONNECTTHE MULTI/PLUG FROM THE REAR OF THE PANEL LOCATE BULBS AND CHANGE .

You can remove panel screws, remove and pull back dash panel, then you will find a couple more screws that holds on instrument panel Remove these screws, pull back panel and you can see the bulbs. They turn and pull out.

It seems that the bulbs went out or the ribbon cable that runs behind the instrument panel burned out check on a junkyard for a replacement instrument panel and replace it, verify that the truck you pull out the instrument cluster is the same year and the same model.

Probably too late but I had the same problem yesterday. Try changing your battery. It sounds crazy but it worked for me.

Instrument Cluster Removal and Installation Disconnect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to Section 414-01 . Remove the instrument panel center finish panel. Remove the screws. Disconnect the connectors and remove the instrument panel center finish panel. Remove the hood latch release handle. Remove the screws. Lower the hood latch release handle out of the way. Remove the instrument panel steering column cover. Remove the screws. Remove the instrument panel steering column cover. Remove the instrument panel steering column opening cover reinforcement. Remove the four screws. Remove the instrument panel steering column opening cover reinforcement. Position the column gearshift lever in the low position. Partially remove the instrument cluster finish panel. Remove the screws. Position instrument the cluster finish panel to gain access to electrical connectors. Remove instrument the cluster finish panel. Disconnect the connectors. Remove instrument the cluster finish panel. NOTE: Illustration shows steering column removed for clarity. Remove the instrument cluster. Remove the screws. Remove the transmission range indicator and position the cluster forward to disconnect the three electrical connectors on the back. Remove the instrument cluster.

The bulb is probably loose and/or burnt out. If you are mechanically inclined you can tackle this job... This procedure is the one i use, most often it's the blue high beam indicator bulb that goes so if you want to change it while your in there.....(hint hint)
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait a good 2 minutes to allow for air bag deactivation...NOTE: USE CAUTION ...Lower the tilt wheel to lowest position.
Remove the cluster bezel from the instrument panel.
Remove the two screws that secure the upper mounting tabs of the instrument cluster to the underside of the instrument cluster hood formation of the instrument panel top pad.
Remove the two screws that secure the lower mounting tabs of the instrument cluster to the instrument panel structural duct.
Pull the upper mounting tabs of the instrument cluster downward, then pull the instrument cluster rearward far enough to access the instrument panel wire harness connector for the instrument cluster. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector for the instrument cluster from the connector receptacle on the back of the instrument cluster housing.
Remove the instrument cluster from the instrument panel. Now do you remember which bulb it was? You can now see where the check engine light bulb is mounted. Twist and remove, install in reverse order. In some cases they are just loose or not making good ground, but after going through this just to access that lil bugger, i'd replace it.
I hope i have helped you and if you feel i have please acknowledge.
Be well and keep the cherokees alive....