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Changing Dash Light Bulbs?

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27K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  speedometerbulbs.com  
#1 ·
Does anyone out there know how to access the indicator bulbs in the dashboard of a 2002 XL-7, like the ABS light?
While on a road trip hundreds of miles from home, I had an experience with a terrible mechanic who replaced the rear end on my ABS enabled XL-7 with one that doesn't have ABS (or at least a working ABS). Because of this my ABS light is permanently lit. Unfortunately, I've moved to a city with strict registration laws and my vehicle will not pass mandatory inspection as long as that light is on. I've come to grips with ABS free life, but I just need to shut off that light before I get booted/impounded for having an out of state license plate.
The dealership wants to charge me an arm & a leg to replace the rear end which I can't afford just to extinguish 1 light bulb.
Do any of you kind & knowledgeable folks know how I can shut that light off?
Thanks
-Bill
 
#2 ·
Have you literally stuck your head and a flashlight up under the dash cluster? May be easy access to the bulbs/sockets from there. Or, you could call the nearest dealer and ask the service guys how to do this...at the very least they should be able to tell you which color wire goes to that bulb so you can disconnect it with a snips...if you do this, leave a enough of a tail so you can make the connection again if you ever want to. :57:
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the reply.
Turns out this isn't such a hard thing to do. Here's how I removed the bulb; in case anyone else out there finds themself in a similar situation.

What you need:
phillips screwdriver (1 long & 1 short for the 1st set of screws)
needlenose pliers

1. Remove the 4 screws holding the molding around the instrument panel. There are 2 recessed over the speedometer and 2 at the base of the steering column ( on top, under a rubber flap)
2. Pull the molding off and set it aside.
3. Remove the next set of 4 screws that hold the indicater light/speedometer cluster to the dash.
4. Remove the clear plastic cover from the cluster by unsnapping it.
5. Peel up the rubber cover to expose the indicator bulbs.
6. The bulbs can be removed by pulling them out with needle nose pliers.

Reverse the steps to reassemble the dash.
The whole process should take 15 minutes up to an hour.

-Bill