Just finished changing two bulb assemblies today. This post is for the benefit of those who might need to do so in the future.
Instrument Panel Lights Removal and Reinstallation.
Parts and Tools - Bulb with assembly F5RZ-13466-BA $3.24 each
Phillips head screw driver.
10 mm crescent wrench (for battery terminal removal)
Flashlight, old credit card, washcloth and duct tape
For some pictures,
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1b/d0/a3/0900823d801bd0a3.jsp1. Make sure your key is outside the car if you have power locks as the electricals go haywire as you are disconnecting/connecting the battery.
2. Disconnect BOTH battery terminals (negative, then positive). Stick a thick newspaper between the terminals and posts so that the current does not accidentally come on while you are working on the instrument panel. Wait about 15 minutes so that the airbag back up power is dissipated (as you are working in the vicinity of the airbags).
3. Slide an old credit card in between the instrument cluster surround (finish panel) and switches (switch blank covers, fog light indicator, traction control, rear defroster, clock, traction control). The credit card is easier to maneuver and will not scratch or break the panel as opposed to using a small screwdriver as advised by Autozone or Haynes.
4. Let the switches dangle while you unscrew the screws behind the switches and blank covers. Push a napkin under the screws area to prevent the screws from dropping into the back.
5. Shine a flashlight up the last two â??hiddenâ? screws on the instrument panel so that you can see where to put the screwdriver. The screw driver should be at a 75 degree angle. Unscrew the screws.
6. Tear up some small pieces of duct tape and place them on top of the dash. Unplug the switches and then tape some duct tape on the multiplugs and to the dash area as you unplug the multiplugs. If you donâ??t the plugs and wires will fall behind. Donâ??t believe what you see in the Haynes manual or Autozone website. The wires will not just dangle there waiting for you to reconnect them later. Carefully remove the instrument cluster surround.
7. Once again put the washcloth under the screws while you unscrew the 5 screws on the instrument cluster.
8. Carefully remove the instrument cluster partially. It is better not to remove the multi-plugs from the rear of the instrument cluster if you are just replacing the bulb assemblies (just in case that messes up the tachometer or speedometer electronics). Turn the bulb assembly to remove them from the instrument cluster. Note that you are looking at it from the reverse side when you turn to remove the bulb assembly. The bulb assembly comes with the bulb when you buy it from the dealer. If you want to replace just the bulbs, be forewarned that the bulbs are hard to remove (even though the instructions from the Factory CD, Autozone and Haynes says just pull it straight out). And the bulb on Advance Autoâ??s system is the wrong size.
9. Reverse the steps for installation. Stick some duct tape on the screwdriver and screws so that you do not lose the screws while installing them. After a few turns, pull the duct tape out and continue tightening the screws.
10. Have the keys outside the car when reinstalling the battery terminals. Note that the hazard light will flash by itself and the power locks will lock the doors as you are reinstalling the battery terminal. When you turn the key to on and push the hazard down up again, it will stop flashing. Turn on the headlights, cover the instrument area to see if the bulbs are working. Reprogram your radio and clock. Then drive around the block to make sure the tachometer and speedometer are working. Total time about 1 hour.
