Thank you Jim, I just replaced mine on my 2005. If you buy LEDs, the top contact (nearest the connector) is the positive (+) side on all eight sockets. I found LED assemblies with three LEDs on each assembly, one on each side and one on top, to better emulate the 360-degree light of incandescent bulbs. After 15 years, only two of the original eight bulbs were still working, so it was getting hard to read.
You my good sir, are amazing! My husband noticed that the backlights were going out and after a bit searching by myself for a bit, I stumbled upon your video. I forwarded the link to my husband. Its been 3 years since you posted this. You saved us $$ in labor for such a simple fix. We live in California, O'Reillys had the bulbs that were needed, assembly is the same as the one you took apart, the gauges were not we only needed 6 bulbs vs your 8. We checked and we did have to wiggle a little bit like you had to and now are in perfect condition! Now its time to figure out the fuel pump issue.
I've had the gas gauge light out for a year or two. Thanks for the detailed explanation of the whole process. I've ordered the same bulbs from Amazon. Will replace all the bulbs. Thanks again
As I'm literally about to go outside for my _third_ round of bulb replacements in 60k miles, I'd like to offer my own personal tips for this job: 1. It's cheaper in the long run to buy the #74 sockets (T5 twist base) and #74 bulbs separately and replace the bulbs as needed, instead of paying for the #PC74 bulb (which is the bulb and socket integrated together). As an added benefit, the #74 bulbs are readily available off-the-shelf at Walmart and every auto parts place, while the #PC74 usually needs to be ordered. 2. Consider investing in LEDs for the gauge cluster, since incandescent bulbs fail very often on these vans. (Remember they only work in one direction, so a little trial-and-error is called for.)
On my 2005 I didn't remove Instrument light panel. Worked great for me. I used a "dropped screw extendable magnet" to reinsert the screws. Good video. Thanks
The package of bulbs has been sitting on my desk for 5 years. Today was the day. I dropped a screw, had to take the lower console off to find it, and I did find it. Somewhere in the shuffle however I lost another screw. I was overconfident in my magnetic screwdriver. I should have placed the rag to catch the screws. :)
A tip: Order the bulbs over the internet first. I got the cluster pulled and went to O'Reilly's to get them. $8.00 each! They soaked me. No one else had the ones it takes. They can't be separated from the plastic base so you have to get that type.
Actually they CAN be separated, but it's not easy. Hold the base on the narrow sides with pliers, and rock the bulb gently a bit, then pull straight out, but you have to pull hard and be persistent. I bought LED replacement bulbs (three LEDs in each socket, to shine out both sides as well as forward) which came with new bases. It was about $10 for a set of 10. Just replaced mine, only two of the original 8 were still working after 14 years.
Thank ypu for the video....very helpful....One thing: I did have some difficulty lining up the holes for the instrument panel, so I used an ice pick which helped alot
Got it all apart and that far along only to not be able to pull the bulbs out of the sockets. Don't want to crush it and get broken glass in my fingers. And I'm sure trying to pull it out with a pliers would also shatter it and make a mess. And if I would happen to get them out, I bought LED replacements on Amazon. In the past, LED bulbs I've used have been polarized (only work one direction) These are not labeled + and -, and neither is the socket so how do I know which way to put them in?
What if the automatic headlight mode and the dimmer bulbs become erratic, is the lamp and dimmer switch/this/something else. Terrifying rolling down the f way and going dark Thanks
I saw a person take their negative cable off something about the airs bags. While I was watching yours I did not hear you mention anything about the negative cable. Should I take the negative battery cable lose?
Removing the negative battery cable is always recommended when working on electrical systems. In this case I don't see how the air bag is an issue, and at some point you will want to test it before putting it back together. It's up to you, but I did not do it.
It might not be needed, but I'm paranoid. If you are leaned up against the steering wheel, and somehow do manage to fire the air bag, you will *at least* break a few ribs. And it will cost $1000 or more to replace the air bag. So I disconnected the battery first, replaced all the bulbs, reconnected the instrument cable, and then reconnected the battery to test the bulbs. I then disconnected the battery, installed the cluster completely, and then reconnected the battery. And as long as the battery was disconnected, I cleaned the battery terminals as well.
Help ........please ......so I got it to the point were i can see the light on the back and I don't see any light at all just the empty spots what's this about . It still lights up I just wanted to chaing the color to Blue
Sorry, but from your description I can't say for sure what the issue is. Sounds like you are using Blue LED lamps, which run cooler and may not have a vent hole in the rear. When using LED lamps the polarity (+/-) matters, but it sounds like your Blue lights are working you just don't see light coming out the back. This is probably just because they are LED vs. the factory incandescent, but some light leaks out and can be seen in the empty holes.
Odometer / P R N D 3 L are those also replaceable bulbs or are the standalone I want all red NOT FUEL red - MPH red -TEMP red Odometer -green shift scale - green I might as well get regular bulbs
Thank you Jim, I just replaced mine on my 2005. If you buy LEDs, the top contact (nearest the connector) is the positive (+) side on all eight sockets. I found LED assemblies with three LEDs on each assembly, one on each side and one on top, to better emulate the 360-degree light of incandescent bulbs. After 15 years, only two of the original eight bulbs were still working, so it was getting hard to read.
You my good sir, are amazing! My husband noticed that the backlights were going out and after a bit searching by myself for a bit, I stumbled upon your video. I forwarded the link to my husband. Its been 3 years since you posted this. You saved us $$ in labor for such a simple fix. We live in California, O'Reillys had the bulbs that were needed, assembly is the same as the one you took apart, the gauges were not we only needed 6 bulbs vs your 8. We checked and we did have to wiggle a little bit like you had to and now are in perfect condition! Now its time to figure out the fuel pump issue.
Awesome!!! I followed his instructions and was changing the bulbs in 15 minutes. It all went back together easily. Thanks so much!!!!
I've had the gas gauge light out for a year or two. Thanks for the detailed explanation of the whole process. I've ordered the same bulbs from Amazon. Will replace all the bulbs. Thanks again
As I'm literally about to go outside for my _third_ round of bulb replacements in 60k miles, I'd like to offer my own personal tips for this job:
1. It's cheaper in the long run to buy the #74 sockets (T5 twist base) and #74 bulbs separately and replace the bulbs as needed, instead of paying for the #PC74 bulb (which is the bulb and socket integrated together). As an added benefit, the #74 bulbs are readily available off-the-shelf at Walmart and every auto parts place, while the #PC74 usually needs to be ordered.
2. Consider investing in LEDs for the gauge cluster, since incandescent bulbs fail very often on these vans. (Remember they only work in one direction, so a little trial-and-error is called for.)
This was a great tutorial. Thanks! I'll be replacing my van's bulbs this weekend.
On my 2005 I didn't remove Instrument light panel. Worked great for me. I used a "dropped screw extendable magnet" to reinsert the screws. Good video. Thanks
The package of bulbs has been sitting on my desk for 5 years. Today was the day. I dropped a screw, had to take the lower console off to find it, and I did find it. Somewhere in the shuffle however I lost another screw. I was overconfident in my magnetic screwdriver. I should have placed the rag to catch the screws. :)
Thanks Much! Just completed this; great video!!!!
A tip: Order the bulbs over the internet first. I got the cluster pulled and went to O'Reilly's to get them. $8.00 each! They soaked me. No one else had the ones it takes. They can't be separated from the plastic base so you have to get that type.
Actually they CAN be separated, but it's not easy. Hold the base on the narrow sides with pliers, and rock the bulb gently a bit, then pull straight out, but you have to pull hard and be persistent. I bought LED replacement bulbs (three LEDs in each socket, to shine out both sides as well as forward) which came with new bases. It was about $10 for a set of 10. Just replaced mine, only two of the original 8 were still working after 14 years.
Thank ypu for the video....very helpful....One thing: I did have some difficulty lining up the holes for the instrument panel, so I used an ice pick which helped alot
Thank you so much! I save some cash seeing this video!
Thank You so much~
This video was a big help, thank you very much
Got it all apart and that far along only to not be able to pull the bulbs out of the sockets. Don't want to crush it and get broken glass in my fingers. And I'm sure trying to pull it out with a pliers would also shatter it and make a mess. And if I would happen to get them out, I bought LED replacements on Amazon. In the past, LED bulbs I've used have been polarized (only work one direction) These are not labeled + and -, and neither is the socket so how do I know which way to put them in?
"regular size screwdriver" is a #2 Philips screwdriver.
What if the automatic headlight mode and the dimmer bulbs become erratic, is the lamp and dimmer switch/this/something else. Terrifying rolling down the f way and going dark Thanks
video has very helpful thank you
At 5:17 it says PC-74 right on the back of the instrument panel so why wouldn't the ones you got work
Good job
Now I save money 💴
I saw a person take their negative cable off something about the airs bags. While I was watching yours I did not hear you mention anything about the negative cable. Should I take the negative battery cable lose?
Removing the negative battery cable is always recommended when working on electrical systems. In this case I don't see how the air bag is an issue, and at some point you will want to test it before putting it back together. It's up to you, but I did not do it.
@@jimdandy6472 THANK YOU
It might not be needed, but I'm paranoid. If you are leaned up against the steering wheel, and somehow do manage to fire the air bag, you will *at least* break a few ribs. And it will cost $1000 or more to replace the air bag. So I disconnected the battery first, replaced all the bulbs, reconnected the instrument cable, and then reconnected the battery to test the bulbs. I then disconnected the battery, installed the cluster completely, and then reconnected the battery. And as long as the battery was disconnected, I cleaned the battery terminals as well.
Help ........please ......so I got it to the point were i can see the light on the back and I don't see any light at all just the empty spots what's this about . It still lights up I just wanted to chaing the color to Blue
Sorry, but from your description I can't say for sure what the issue is. Sounds like you are using Blue LED lamps, which run cooler and may not have a vent hole in the rear. When using LED lamps the polarity (+/-) matters, but it sounds like your Blue lights are working you just don't see light coming out the back. This is probably just because they are LED vs. the factory incandescent, but some light leaks out and can be seen in the empty holes.
MY TOWN AND COUNTRY IS POSSESSED AND HATES ME MOST EVIL VEHICLE EVER
Odometer / P R N D 3 L
are those also replaceable bulbs or are the standalone I want all red
NOT
FUEL red - MPH red -TEMP red
Odometer -green shift scale - green
I might as well get regular bulbs
I got a black Dodge Caravan without tilt wheel mine would have lay there as I change bulbs
PC-74 RED AHHH WAASSUP
My put red bulbs in my black Caravan
I have no tachometer 2.4 DOHL 4cyl