Has anyone changed the instrument panel lights on a 1998 Ford Windstar? Does it really require all the steps listed below just to be able change the bulbs that light the gauges? If you've got a shortcut, please post it.
Thanks in advance for any advice on this.
- Remove instrument cluster (steps 1 - 17, below).
- Remove instrument panel lamp socket and bulb assembly. Dispose of carefully.
- Install new instrument panel lamp socket and bulb assembly.
- Disconnect battery ground cable.
- Remove two screws and remove instrument panel steering column cover from below steering column.
- Remove four nuts and remove instrument panel steering column cover reinforcement from below steering column.
- Remove lower steering column shroud from steering column.
- Remove ignition switch lock cylinder.
- Remove upper steering column shroud from steering column.
- Loosen four bolts retaining steering column. Lower steering column.
- Remove light switch knob and gently pry instrument panel finish panel away from instrument panel.
- Disconnect headlamp switch miniature bulb socket from instrument panel finish panel.
- Remove two retaining screws at bottom of cluster opening panel and gently pry cluster opening panel away from instrument panel.
- Disconnect six electrical connectors from cluster opening panel and remove cluster opening panel.
- Remove two retaining screws and gently pry instrument panel finish panel from instrument panel.
- Remove two retaining screws and gently pry instrument panel finish panel from instrument panel.
- Disconnect transmission range indicator cable from column by removing one screw and the cable loop.
- Remove four screws retaining instrument cluster to instrument panel. Let cluster hang loose. Let cluster hang loose.
- Pull instrument cluster forward to gain access to the electrical connectors. Disconnect the two electrical connectors.
- Remove instrument cluster.