Replacing dash lights in 99 Intrepid

There is a light behind my temp gauge that just won't light. Rather than
have the Grinch (read: service shop) take the whole tree, can this bulb be
changed relatively easily?

Thanks.

Max

 

According to FSM (Section 8L), the lamp behind the TEMP indicator is a
LED, and if bad, the entire cluster needs to be replaced. There are
people/shops that work on instrument clusters and may be able to replace
the inoperative LED for you.

 

Thanks for the info Mike, I guess I'll just add it to the list of repairs
to be made before the warranty expires.

Max

 

I think there might be confusion here re: the temp indicator and the
backlight behind the gauge. I interpreted the OP's message as saying
the guauge backlight is out. The temp indicator is a non-replaceable
LED, but this is the temperature red idiot light, not the guage
backlight. I'm fairly sure, based on the FSM information, that all of
the backlight illumination uses regular incandescent light bulbs (bulb
#'s in the FSM). The FSM also has replacement information (basically
remove the instrument panel, then access from behind.) There are a
lot of steps to get to the instrument panel though, been there, done
that

 

Greg,

You are correct. It is not the temp led that has failed but the light behind
the temperature gauge dial. I figured it was just a bulb of some sort.
However, whether it is covered under warranty or not is a different issue
altogether. I don't mind fixing it myself if you care to share the
instructions to get at the instrument panel. You can e-mail off board at


Thanks,
Max

 

You might want to go to www.dodgeintrepid.net forums. I know the
instructions on removing the instrument cluster have been posted there a
few times - possibly once or twice by me, as well as others. They have
an excellent search engine.

Here's the basic order of things without the details:

Open driver's door and pull off the end cover on the dash.

Remove the top and bottom steering column covers (torx screws from
underneath, and also requires removing the tilt wheel lock lever - one
torx screw).

Remove instrument cluster bezel screws (part of which extends around end
of the dash - that's why you had to remove the dash end cap). You
might also have to remove panels underneath dash to gain access to bezel
screws. Bezel will hang by the headlight switch wires and give enough
access to cluster area.

Carefully remove instrument cluster bezel (tight clearance above
steering column - take your time - find the best orientation to clear
everything - may have to temporarily re-attach lock lever to tilt wheel
down if not already that way).

Remove screws holding inst. cluster in dash - IIRC, two screws at
bottom.

Pull out cluster.

Light bulb sockets are removable from the back of the cluster.

Note: Cluster connectors automatically re-mate as you re-install it.
Just insure that they properly mate as you gently push it home - they
can hang if they get cocked a little.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

Bill posted the best advice I can give you regarding getting to the
instrument panel. I don't think the upper and lower steering shrouds
require tools on the Intrepid though, they just snap off (carefully)
after removing the tilt lever. It's been over 4 years since I've done
it though; my memory is a little fuzzy. I highly recommend following
the FSM, at least for the diagrams.

If you are interested in automatic headlights, it would be a good time
to do that mod on the headlight switch since you already have
everything apart. It's a simple mod, once you get to the headlight
switch, and entails just removing a plastic stop to permit the switch
to be turned to AUTO. More info is available at dodgeintrepid.net

Good luck!