Dash light

[Redneckmudslinger]

Hi everyone I have a 88 gmc jimmy sierra classic and was wondering how do I get to my dash lights because some are burned out how do I get to them I already took the top of the dash off and I took the guage cover off now were do I go from there please help thanks

 

[readymix]

Pull the gauge cluster out. They are in the back.
The bulbs are either 194's or 168's. I can't remember.

 

[diesel4me]

I've managed to replace the dash bulbs on my 73-87's without pulling the cluster out,but I have long skinny arms and bony fingers..

168's are a bit brighter than 194's but either one fits and will interchange..

I might look into LED bulbs for my plow truck,the dash lights in that thing look like a candle instead of bulbs its so dim..dont feel like taking the dash apart to paint it silver either..

 

[Redneckmudslinger]

How do u pull the guage cluster out what do I have to un bolt I think I unbolt the cluster but it won't come out its really hard

 

[readymix]

There are bolts around the cluster that hokd it to the dash. They take a 7mm socket IIRC

 

[Redneckmudslinger]

I unbolt them but it does not come out that far it's still really hard

 

[readymix]

I don't remember if the 88's had a electrical or mechanical speedo. If it's mechanical sometimes the cable makes it hard to remove.
Also the top corners can get caught on the dash sometimes.

 

[Redneckmudslinger]

It's got a cable on it but it won't break if I pull hard will it i don't want to break the cable

 

[readymix]

There is a little tab that you squeeze to remove the cable

 

[Carcinogen]

Pretty sure you have to unhook the speedo, but its been a while.

Sniped...

 

[Redneckmudslinger]

Does it just screw off like a tv cable for example is it like that

 

[readymix]

Nope. You squeeze the clip and then pull the cable off. I can take a pic of the cable if it would help.

 

[readymix]

Here is the clip.

 

[dyeager535]

The cluster doesn't pull straight out. Look at the blue/green-ish housing plastic, parts of it sit behind the dash sheet metal. You have to push it in a bit then lift and pull to get it over the dash lip.

Best way to do the cable IMO is to get the cluster housing free from the sheetmetal, then leave it hanging. Go under the hood, and push the speedometer cable through the firewall a few inches. That will give you enough play to reach behind the cluster and DEPRESS that tab illustrated above. Push the tab in towards the cluster, and the cable will pull straight off.

Bulbs are a mixture of 168 and 194's. I don't know if the '88's had the one piece bulb/holders, but the bulb type is printed on the holders in that case. The hotter bulbs tend to warp/melt the plastic. Yes, people have used the hotter bulbs with no ill effect, but I've seen factory clusters with loose bulb sockets (and discolored plastic) from the heat of the stock bulbs. I went LED for multiple reasons, that was one of them.

 

[Redneckmudslinger]

Thanks everyone