Oil Pressure Gauge lamp replacement procedure

[Builder1963]

I need help. The lamp in my oil pressure gauge has burned out. Do I need to get under the dash to open the gauge or can I unscrew the chrome ring, remove the glass and remove the two dial face screws and pull it out to find the lamp? Also since the owner's manual has no information on the lamp, does anyone have a part number for the lamp?

Builder 1963

[Egon Spengler]

Pull straight out on the gauge pod (held in by clips) on the back of the gauge there are two nuts to remove the gauge from the pod. Common sense from there. Bring the shifter down to first gear and make sure the e-brake is applied.

[Rockettman]

Don't lose the rubber "condom" on the old bulb. The light in the guage will be a different color if you don't transfer to the new bulb.

I got bulb at Canadian Tire - so I don't think I can help on the part number. I just got one that matched.

[Egon Spengler]

Don't lose the rubber "condom" on the old bulb. The light in the guage will be a different color if you don't transfer to the new bulb.

I got bulb at Canadian Tire - so I don't think I can help on the part number. I just got one that matched.
forgot about that! Yes, salvage and re-use bulb condom

[fastblackmerc]

Take a look at the housing. I bet you see a brown burn mark from the heat of the incandescent bulb. That is why I replaced mine with green LEDs.

[TFB]

If you reduce the voltage by turning down the dimmer, your cluster and gauge bulbs will rarely, if ever fail... Doesn't have to be much, at 80% output life is more than doubled...

[MOTOWN]

Take a look at the housing. I bet you see a brown burn mark from the heat of the incandescent bulb. That is why I replaced mine with green LEDs.


but did you use a condom??:lol:

[Raven34]

Bulb I used is 194. I ruined the "condom" triyin to get it of. It was kinda melted. So I bought green ones from pep boys and it lights up with a beautiful green glow

[fastblackmerc]

but did you use a condom??:lol:

No. If you notice the bulb condom is blue, an incandescent bulb gives off a yellow light.

blue + yellow = green

LEDs give off a white light.

blue + white = blue

That is why I went with green LEDs.

[Pat]

OK, I replaced my two burned out lites as per instructions. No problems, condoms are delicate and tear easily. Thanks Egon for the tutorial.

Regards,

[RF Overlord]

If anyone wants the factory-colour condoms, call AutoMeter tech support. They were made specially for Ford and are not available retail, but AM very kindly sent me a few at no charge a couple of years ago...maybe they still have some.

[fastblackmerc]

If anyone wants the factory-colour condoms, call AutoMeter tech support. They were made specially for Ford and are not available retail, but AM very kindly sent me a few at no charge a couple of years ago...maybe they still have some.

Buy green LEDs, practically no heat, uses less power, should last longer than the car and..............


NO CONDOMS NEEDED!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RF Overlord]

Jim, you're right of course, but I posted that info for the benefit of members who may not be as technically/electrically inclined as you are and just want to restore functionality.

Hey, while we're on the subject, maybe you can help me out. I have the Ultra-Lite II gauges which are LED from the factory, but I find they're too bright, especially the boost gauge which is in a pillar pod. If I use the dimmer to get them where I like it, then the rest of the instrument cluster is too dim. Do you know what value resistor I should use to cut them down a bit? I ass-ume a standard 1/4-watt would do it...

[fastblackmerc]

Jim, you're right of course, but I posted that info for the benefit of members who may not be as technically/electrically inclined as you are and just want to restore functionality.

Hey, while we're on the subject, maybe you can help me out. I have the Ultra-Lite II gauges which are LED from the factory, but I find they're too bright, especially the boost gauge which is in a pillar pod. If I use the dimmer to get them where I like it, then the rest of the instrument cluster is too dim. Do you know what value resistor I should use to cut them down a bit? I ass-ume a standard 1/4-watt would do it...

Yes, I believe a .25 watt will work.

[Swish]

OK, I replaced my two burned out lites as per instructions. No problems, condoms are delicate and tear easily. Thanks Egon for the tutorial.

Regards,

I tried unsuccessfully to pull the pod out per the instructions posted. Did you find it required a pretty hard pull? I just don't want to break something. Thanks.

[fastblackmerc]

I tried unsuccessfully to pull the pod out per the instructions posted. Did you find it required a pretty hard pull? I just don't want to break something. Thanks.

The clips hold it in pretty good. Sounds like your ripping the entire dash out.

[Swish]

The clips hold it in pretty good. Sounds like your ripping the entire dash out.


Sounds like I wasn't pulling hard enough. Thanks for the information.

[Hauser717]

I changed out the bulbs today with LEDs. Unfortunately the oil gauge light still won't illuminate. I checked all the connectors and they appear to be fine. Is there anything else I can check?

[88LTDCV351]

Also, has anyone solved the broken gauge pod clips are discontinued issue? My gauge pod is still rather loose after that first changing the oil and voltmeter bulbs.

[fastblackmerc]

I changed out the bulbs today with LEDs. Unfortunately the oil gauge light still won't illuminate. I checked all the connectors and they appear to be fine. Is there anything else I can check?

Are you getting power to the bulb socket?

Try rotating the LED 180 degrees as LEDs have a + & - side.

[jwibbity]

recently changed mine to leds, so much brighter

[Hauser717]

Are you getting power to the bulb socket?

Try rotating the LED 180 degrees as LEDs have a + & - side.

That did the trick. Thanks!

[fastblackmerc]

recently changed mine to leds, so much brighter

Like mine better!

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Gauges/DSCN1141.jpg