Interior Lighting/Color Change

From Taurus Car Club Maintenance and Modification Wiki

First of all, these instructions are for a GenII, but other generations may be similar. For this version, I used a non-tach cluster, but the same instructions apply for the tach versions, save for the number of bulbs required.

Ok. First, here's what you'll need:

11 Incandescant (regular) 194's
8 Blue LED's - 194 socket, Wide angle lens.

A note on the LED's... you can use the non-wide angle version, but you'll get "hot spots" on your face. Not a good look.

Permanent marker to mark LED's

Tools to remove instrument cluster. Torx 20 bit for the cluster itself, and the instrument cluster bezel, Torx 25 or 30 for the panel under the steering column. Pliers to separate the speedo cable in the engine bay.

9V block battery

Ok.

Step one.

Using the 9v battery, test illuminate the LED's briefly. LED's will only work one way, so make it a point to mark the negative side of the LED with the marker, and put it aside for later. Do this with all of the LED's.

Step Two.

Separate the speedo cable in the engine bay, and push the cable into the firewall slightly. This will aid in removing the cluster.

Step Three.

Remove the panel under the steering column, to reveal the torx screws securing the bezel.

Step Four.

Remove the screws above the cluster, and on either side of the steering column, and pull the bezel away.

Step Five.

Remove the steering column halves, by first removing the lock cylinder (there's a small access hole below the cylinder. Insert a small tool, like a 2mm allen key while the key is in the ON position to depress the release pin, and then pull the cylinder straight out. Don't turn the cylinder.), and then removing the column halves. Re-insert the cylinder, and turn to the lock position to re-set the pin. Remove the white range indicator cable from the steering column. This is not necessary if you have a floor shift vehicle.

Step Six.

Remove the 4 black screws, and pull the cluster straight out. Reach behind, and release the speedo cable from the speedometer (easier said than done). Push the cluster in again, and now rotate the bottom up and towards you. Disconnect the two harnesses, and remove the cluster from the dash.

Step Seven.

Now that you have the cluster out, you will see that there are six bulbs marked ILL. These are the ones that are going to be replaced with LED's. But for now...

...using the regular incandescant 194's, replace all the other bulbs. This is not the type of job that you want to do again if you can avoid it. Some of those blubs are between 8 and 11 years old!

Step Eight.

Looking at the above image, you will see that I have the ILL locations marked + and -. See, I saved you a little work. You can thank me later. You can thank me sooner if you're an attractive female! Just kidding...

For the tach versions, follow the (-) circuit path to the terminal in the picture. The (-) terminal on mine is the same on yours, so go ahead and mark your own negative points.

Step Nine.

Remove all the ILL blubs, and insert one LED into the topmost ILL socket. Reinsert the cluster and connect both harnesses, and turn on the parking lights to verify operation. It'll probably be necessary to darken the area a bit to see anything, so have a jacket or a large towel or something handy for this. If it lights, you've got it in right, and have the polarity marked correctly. Install the rest of the LED's, and verify operation the same way.

Step Ten.

Change your whole latitude with an ice cold Corona. You can substitute your Corona with the beer of your choice.

Step Eleven.

Once all the LED's are in, put it all back together! The cluster is done by attaching the harnesses, and then the speedo cable second. It's a little rough, but you'll get it. Reconnect the cable in the engine bay by re-inserting the clip you pulled out earlier, and inserting the upper cable half into the junction.

Step Twelve.

Remove the knobs, and then remove the 4 black screws holding the HVAC controls in, and pull out and tilt it down. Insert the remaining two bulbs, rotating them until they illuminate. Look at the front of the panel to verify illumination.

Step Thriteen.

Put it back in.

Step Fourteen.

Check out tha shortie that just walked by! Dayum!!

Step Fifteen.

Reinstall your bezel, and lower panel.

Step Sixteen.

Close your garage door, or wait till night, and turn on the lights. Oooo and ahhh at what you've accomplished. Call a friend over to show off!