Center Gauge Pod Light

[MrHall1]

One of my center gauge lights is out!!:mad2:and I want to know how I could change the bulb inside....Do I just pop off the cover?? Do I have to take off the whole thing?? I'm not to good with working on my car but Im trying to learn it more and more.

[SC Cheesehead]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=59993&highlight=removing+gauge+pod

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=66879&highlight=removing+gauge+pod

[Ozark Marauder]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=66879&highlight=center+pod+guage+lig hts

beat me to it SC..........:lol:

OZ

[SC Cheesehead]

We oughta see about making this a sticky as the question comes up pretty regularly.

[Ozark Marauder]

^^^^+1^^^

oz

[MrHall1]

Man I real starting to love you guys!!! LOL Thanks

[fastblackmerc]

You have to remove the gauge pod to access the bulbs.

Put the shifter in Drive

Pull on both sides of the pod to disengage the clips

Twist the bulb sockets to remove

Replace bulbs

I bet the top of your gauges will look like this:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Gauges/DSCN1131.jpg

I'd suggest replacing the bulbs with green LEDs.

With green LEDs ("real" gauges)
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Gauges/DSCN1141.jpg

[MM03MOK]

If someone wants to do a concise write-up with pictures in a new thread, we'll move over to the Resource Room. Too many stickies in this forum now. Easier to consolidate in Resource Room. In the one post, feel free to add links to other threads but let's keep it to only the necessary info and not a discussion. Thanks!

[fastblackmerc]

If someone wants to do a concise write-up with pictures in a new thread, we'll move over to the Resource Room. Too many stickies in this forum now. Easier to consolidate in Resource Room. In the one post, feel free to add links to other threads but let's keep it to only the necessary info and not a discussion. Thanks!

Will try to get something out in the next few days.

[MM03MOK]

Will try to get something out in the next few days.

Thanks, Jim.

After so many years, I can understand why it's hard to find information here. The easier we can make it to point to the Resource Room, the better aide for all those questions that we forever ask....

[SC Cheesehead]

Thanks, Jim.

After so many years, I can understand why it's hard to find information here. The easier we can make it to point to the Resource Room, the better aide for all those questions that we forever ask....

Excellent point, Mary. Resource Room makes good sense, +1 on the sticky.

[RF Overlord]

Mary is Queen Bunneh.

[MrHall1]

You have to remove the gauge pod to access the bulbs.

Put the shifter in Drive

Pull on both sides of the pod to disengage the clips

Twist the bulb sockets to remove

Replace bulbs

I bet the top of your gauges will look like this:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Gauges/DSCN1131.jpg

I'd suggest replacing the bulbs with green LEDs.

With green LEDs ("real" gauges)
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Gauges/DSCN1141.jpg


I just went out to the car durning my lunch hour and acutally got the gauges off!!! (Shock the Hell out of me) and I do see where the bulb has left the burn marks. I'll be changing them today to "Green LED"!! thanks again guys.

[mrjones]

I've got to do this on my silver. Both bulbs are out. After reading about it long ago, I've taken to always running my dash lights just south of full brightness. I understand that reducing the voltage to those lights via the dimmer greatly increases the lifespan of the bulbs.

[ncmm]

I noticed when I removed mine they had little blue rubber covers, was that to reduce the heat?

has anyone tried different colors besides white(clear) or green?

[fastblackmerc]

I noticed when I removed mine they had little blue rubber covers, was that to reduce the heat?

has anyone tried different colors besides white(clear) or green?

If the covers were there to reduce heat you wouldn't have the burn marks above the bulbs........

The blue cover give the incandescent bulbs a greenish light for the gauges. Since the incandescent bulbs give off a yellowish light the blue cover make it appear green... yellow + blue = green.

If you switch to LED bulbs, which give off a white light you either need to get green bulb condoms or green LEDs. The picture I posted has the green LEDs installed.

Yes they are dimmable.

About 85% of the energy used by an incandescent is heat... LED bulbs give off less than 10% of the energy used as heat.

LEDs use less energy and will outlast incandescent bulbs by a wide margin.

[screamn]

Jim:

If I do this upgrade, what is the part # for the LED bulb?

Can I get these LED bulbs from any FLAPS???

Thanks again!

[fastblackmerc]

Jim:

If I do this upgrade, what is the part # for the LED bulb?

Can I get these LED bulbs from any FLAPS???

Thanks again!

Probably can't get them from a FLAPS... at least I've never seen them in a FLAPS. Plus a FLAPS will overcharge you.....

Is a 194 bulb that is the most common one in the MM.

I'm getting a new shipment in next week.

[screamn]

Probably can't get them from a FLAPS... at least I've never seen them in a FLAPS. Plus a FLAPS will overcharge you.....

Is a 194 bulb that is the most common one in the MM.

I'm getting a new shipment in next week.

Thanks again!!

I will contact you when I plan to upgrade my dash lights along with the center pod gauge lights. :beer:

[MrHall1]

If the covers were there to reduce heat you wouldn't have the burn marks above the bulbs........

The blue cover give the incandescent bulbs a greenish light for the gauges. Since the incandescent bulbs give off a yellowish light the blue cover make it appear green... yellow + blue = green.

If you switch to LED bulbs, which give off a white light you either need to get green bulb condoms or green LEDs. The picture I posted has the green LEDs installed.

Yes they are dimmable.

About 85% of the energy used by an incandescent is heat... LED bulbs give off less than 10% of the energy used as heat.

LEDs use less energy and will outlast incandescent bulbs by a wide margin.

I did the mod yesterday and like a true newbe I put the blue cover back on green LED lights :lol:, I also couldn't find 194's so I put back in the 163's and I want brighter!! So i'll be doing it again when I find 194's.

[vegasmarauder]

The 194's run hotter than the 163's (they are a higher candlepower), that's why 163's were used originally and they still burn the gauge housing. 194's are what everybody replaces them with (and I'll bet some factory workers used them when they ran out of 163"s). 194's are brighter, but run hotter..pick your poison...LED's are much cooler, but if you keep the incandesents, then I suggest to look for the 163's....

[GreekGod]

I've had one burned out for the last year. I will go with the LED replacements. I have calculated an increase in fuel mileage account the reduced load on the alternator. While the improvement is admittedly small, I will be doing my part to save the planet. ;)

~~~~~

[Ozark Marauder]

I've had one burned out for the last year. I will go with the LED replacements. I have calculated an increase in fuel mileage account the reduced load on the alternator. While the improvement is admittedly small, I will be doing my part to save the planet. ;)

~~~~~

:lol: spoken like a true American.......