Hi. The other day the fuel and temp guage light in my VS dashboard died and needs to be replaced. Is it hard to replace dashboard lights? I heard you have to remove the whole guage mechanism. Or would it be worth taking it to a local garrage? Ideas would be most help thanks.
Here ya go. Just did this pic quickly off the top of my head. Once this is off then there is a screw on each side of the cluster to undo then you pull it out change the lights and do the reverse. Should take between 30mins to 1hr to do depending on if you have any probs (which you shouldn't hopefully). Hope this helps. Click For Larger Pic
If it is just the bulbs that are gone, they can be replaced without removing the dash cluster (you may need needle nosed pliers if you have big hands). you can reach up behind the cluster from the bottom, like from the feet well with the fuse cover unclipped. look up under the cluster and you should see the green circuit board of the cluster and a heap of little black things in a line. They are about 10mm long and 5 or 6mm wide. These are the bulbs for the dash lights. Use pliers (if necessary) to twist the black bit of the bulb you want to replace (anticlockwise im pretty sure) and it should pop out. Get a new one and swap it and away you go! I got a new one from holden for $5. that was from a mate who works there so it might cost more normally. So it is possible to do it without pulling the cluster out, its just a bit fidgity
easier to pull the cluster out.. it has 3 plugs behind it . 1st unscrew the 2 screws above the cluster , then gently prise the facia panel off , unplug the headlight wire ( it has a locking tab you need to depress to release it ) then unplug the a/c, hazards , rear demister , and speed alert. Then there is 2 screws holding the cluster in , undo these and its ready to come out.. word of warning.. make sure you dont scrape it down on the bottom metal edge , as this will damage the printed circuit ribbon , and you'll lose use of gauges ( i lost speedo and odometer ). Bulbs are 1/4 turn units , and are a common bulb in holdens , dating back to the gemini ( used in dash , ashtray , heater illumination ) so they will be easy to come across.. re-installing is just a reversal of what i have typed
