How do I change dash lights??

[Tinman]

I have removed the cluster. How do I access the lightbulbs?? Thanks for your help, Joe

I have a 2003 Chevy Silverado HD Duramax

[Tinman]

I could maybe get to the lights, however, I am unable to get the cluster open. There are clamps/clips around the outside that are open, but it still will not come apart. We can remove the rear to reveil the computer board. Do you have to take out the board to get at the lights to replace them? If so, how do I get the board off. I don't want to break it. Thanks, Joe

[Tinman]

I have found out that you can not replace the bulbs on the dash. The operate the gear lights (Drive - reverse- neutral...) and the speedometer at night.

I had to purchase a new cluster $250 wholesale and $400 retail.

This STINKS!!!

-Joe

[Dakster]

Wow... That does stink... I remember on my older cars I could replace burned out lights...

SInce you purchased a new one, you may want to try and dremel the old one apart and see if you could change the lights?

[Duramaster]

It is my understanding that the lights are actually LED's Dakster. At least the indicator lights are. We usually get our IPC's from ISSPRO out of Seattle, WA. I have tried to disassmeble the IPC before, but no luck. Don't forget, 2003 and newer need to be programmed by you GM dealer. The IPC needs to know what kind of vehicle it is in and what kind of options the vehicle as well as having the VIN programmed into it. ;)

[Dakster]

You can still change LEDS with a soldering iron, however, it looks like "they" made it so you can't get to them.

[madmatt]

it can be done. A buddy of mine changed the colors of his and it looks sick. He posted the instructions on another page but I'll see if i can post them here too.

[madmatt]

here's the "how to". There are more tips and notes posted that I will add at a later date. Hope this helps!

Ok well I have searched the internet high and low and never found a write up on how to do this. So I present my fellow Diesel owners a good "How to"!! I chose to use white LEDs, but didnt achieve the proper effect that I was going for. Ill explain that later in the post. The LEDs require specific resistors, so do your homework before attempting this modification. You need to figure out the + and - on your cluster. This mod is not for the weak of the heart. I would say on a scale of 1-10 10 being the hardest ill give it a 6. If you have any questions feel free to post.

Parts needed:
Soldering Iron
LEDs
Resistors
A good steady hand.


Step 1:
Remove the cluster from the dash, I should not have to tell you how to do this.

Step 2:
Disassemble the cluster this is rahter difficult, and a PITA The needles are a serious pain to remove. Be extremely careful when pulling them off.
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Step 3:
You should be down to the circuit board where the lights are.
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Step 4:
Now you gotta remove the old bulbs, I used my soldering iron to heat the contacts and lightly lifted on the bulb, they come off pretty easy.
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Step 5:
Soldering in the resistors, I tried to keep mine as short as possibly so that they wouldnt be taller then the bulbs i removed.
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Step 6:
Hooking up the LEDs. This is pretty easy, if you found out the + and - on your dash, this really wont be a problem. Remember you want to keep these LEDs down low about the same hieght as the factory bulbs you removed.

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Step 7:
Reassemble the dash, if you paid attention when you took it apart this wont be a problem. The needles are the hardest part.
If you are ready to set the needles, just unplug the cluster. Wait a few seconds and plug the cluster back in. Make sure the key is in the off position.

You will here the Motors reset when you plug in the cluster. Set each needle pointing to the low mark or 0.

The fuel needle, set a little below the low mark.

To test each needle setting, just unplug the cluster and plug back in. They will reset and should all be pointing at 0 or low.
You can also check your needles for proper placement by moving all of them in the vertical position ( pointing straight up), only after you have unplugged the cluster, and then plugging the cluster back in. When the cluster is plugged back in, the gauges should read 0 or low. Never move the needles when the cluster is plugged in.

[Duraswede]

**** that didn't sound good, i have a dark temperature gage in my cluster so i hoped it's just a lightbulb to replace, but if it's LED, it won't be easy..
do you think it's the same on my GMC 3500 -03 (manufactured dec. -02)
is it LED's for the illumination in the climate control and steering wheel buttons too?

[madmatt]

yes those are LEDs too. He's working on getting those changed also.

[Duraswede]

yes those are LEDs too. He's working on getting those changed also.
bad news... i thought it was normal bulbs, well i know what a LED is and how it works and how to use a soldering iron, but it won't be as easy as just changing usual bulbs.
but maby i will change all LED's to blue ones:)

[madmatt]

no, you'll have to figue out what resistor you'll need then solder that in w/ the LED.

[metalmagic]

Hi Guys:
I am really new to this forum but I was interested in replacing the dash lights as I was down to one. I bought this 2003 GMC 3500 dually to be used to pull my 40 foot fifth wheel, I am getting scared now as I should have bought the single axle Freightliner I looked at instead, but I didn't so I gotta fix the Jimmy.
I pulled the dash right down to the PC Board and what a pile of junk, "they" used soldered in incandescent bulbs, what gives here, I phoned my Napa parts dealer for bulbs they told me that from 2001 on there is no listing for bulbs, So I phoned our local GM dealer, the Partsperson said "We will have to send it out for repair takes about 3 weeks to do it" Impressed I was not, so it was do it myself time.
I replaced all the bulbs with super brite white LEDs I just happened to have lots of them, threw away the plastic support as the bulbs did not need them now, I then cut the pin at the receptical plug using a single balast resistor to pull the voltage down to 3.5 volts foreward ( I actually got 3.2v ) when it was all assembled it gives it a sort of blueish tone that I rather like, it was rather simple to do but then I have tinkered with electronics for years. I had consdidered putting LEC wire in but it was going to be seen thru the cracks so I backed off, mabe next time. For you that are not familiar with LECs it is a sort of gassless neon looking rope also called "Neon Trim" and "Linelights" but they also require a ballast transformer (Inverter) it would have to be mounted somewhere under the dash.
Anyhow it is done now I can concentrate on other problems now.

Rae

[metalmagic]

Hi guys:
As to changing bulbs in dash it is simple if you are not weak at heart, in the previous article there is a detailed instruction.
But for those that are a little aprehensive simply remove the cluster, spring the plastic holding clips removing the overlay plastic lens cover, you should now be down to the guage needles, with 2 screwdrivers gently pry them off, now lift the guage black or ?? overlay ( 2 or so press on post holders)and you should now be down to a white and clear plastic cover lift this off and you are down to the PC board, as said before, identify the 2 dash light posts + or- on the receptical, this is the most difficult part. I replaced all the bulbs with LED's and used 1 balast resistor, mine worked out to a little less than 1000 ohms. Reasemble all the cluster and presto bluish dash lights. Use some lexan polish to clean the plastic and it looks like new and costs you about $2.00 for parts, $1,000.00 for frustration.