[freaktrooper]

I got my 98 taurus se e-checked the other day and it failed because my check engine light is burnt out.
I checked of error codes myself before I went and It said I had none but I knew my check engine light was bad, so I figured it didnt matter because I didnt have any error codes. Well they failed it because the light doesnt work. I hate this echeck crap.

But anyways has anyone changed a check engine light bulb before? Is it hard to do? And do I have to get a bulb at a dealer?

Thanks for any help on this matter.

 

[shoz123]

Easy to do on the GEN 3s. The bulb is a little bitty thing. Much smaller than a 194. I think I have some somewhere.......

There are two screws that hold the dash bezel on. Take them out and give the bezel a sharp jerk outward. It will pop off. then there are 4 screws that hold the IC in place. Take them out. Disconnect the wire connectors and out it comes.

Some say the gear shift gets in the way. I wouldn't know.

 

[baby sho]

it goes like this...

if you have floor shift, it works just like the above said, two screws in the top of the bezel, then grap in the vents and pull real hard. It will pop out and you remove the 4 screws to pull out the cluster...under a 2minute job.

If you have coulmn shift, then you need to remove the radio using ford radio removal tools, then remove the 4 7-8mm bolts holding the black trim around the radio (they wil be under the edge of where the radio was. Pull that trim piece off.

Then pry the black trim holding the headlight swich in off with a screwdriver. Then remove the two bolts holding the trim around the cluster in. (they will now be revealed under all the trim you just removed.

Pull the guage trim off and the 4 bolts holding the cluster in. You will NOT be able to disconnect the cluster from the car. there is a cable holding the cluster gear indicator to the car, but there should be engough room to move the cluster and change the bulb. Otherwise you will need to pull the pannel under that dash off and disconnect the cable for the gear indcator off on the upper right side of the column.

If you need further explanation, lemme know!

Brad

 

[shoz123]

Like I said... easy to do

 

[freaktrooper]

Thanks, I will give this a go this weekend. Where can I pick up a bulb? or should I just take it out then go try to match it at an auto shop somewhere?

 

[shoz123]

It is a #70 (2 watt) or #74 (1.5watt) bulb. I got mine at www.mcmaster.com but you have to buy a box of 10.

 

[alex_perry]

HAHA! does anyone find it funny that a ford's check engine light even burned out?

 

[sundarpn]

I need to chnage the cruise light bulb.... but is a pain to get the cluster out.. so i said screw it....

try to post pics...

 

[shoz123]

When my EGR was disconnected and always giving a SES I put a 24V bulb in it so it would be real dim but still viewable.

 

[freaktrooper]

Brad,

Thanks your instructions were great. It went smooth and fast. There was just enough room to change the bulb with out taking the cluster totally out.

Kevin

 

[tiggerer]

how about a 2000 ford taurus SE-SOHC Vulcan 3.0 litre with the gear shift on the column? Any idea's how this is going to work for a guy with big hands if it is a tight fit getting at this bulb?

 

[Sam]

how about a 2000 ford taurus SE-SOHC Vulcan 3.0 litre with the gear shift on the column? Any idea's how this is going to work for a guy with big hands if it is a tight fit getting at this bulb?

Take the entire cluster out. There is a good writeup here: http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/116...-tires/134095-gen-4-dash-cluster-removal.html

You remove the kick panel, radio, ICP bezel, then front dash bezel. Then the cluster, then it's easy to change the bulb... Overall an annoying job the first time, but not hard.

P.S. Your motor isn't SOHC. If it's a vulcan (like you stated) it's OHV or pushrod. Single cam in the middle, but correct only 12 valves.

 

[The White Falcon]

Reading that killed all desire I had to do something with the cluster bezel.

 

[redhousenine]

I hope the indicator lights don't burn out in my gen 4.5 cluster. Most of them are LED's, except for the turn signals, high beams and cruise indicators.

See this thread for gen 4.5 cluster disassembly: http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/116-aesthetics-interior-wheels-tires/140345-g4-5-gauge-swapping.html

 

[Sam]

Reading that killed all desire I had to do something with the cluster bezel.

It's not that bad of a job. I can do it in 30 mins start to finish now.


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