Dash Lighting Problem...

[mconstable]

Hey guys... When it's dark and my dashlights are on, I have a few "blacked-out" areas, and am puzzled if it's a bulb problem/wiring/fuse etc.

The dark areas are from 1,500 to 3,500 rpms on the tach... from 30 to 80 mph and the water temp gauge.

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[Turbo Kidd]

I had the same thing... . I had to replace 4 bulbs! In fact I had to do it twice. The first time I changes two bad bulbs..... Then a month later two more went bad.



NOW I HAVE ANOTHER ONE BAD!



This time, I am going to change all of the bulbs at once.



Go Chrysler! Thanks for the piece of ****! They can't even get dash bulbs right

 

[AWise]

I had the same thing... . I had to replace 4 bulbs! In fact I had to do it twice. The first time I changes two bad bulbs..... Then a month later two more went bad.



NOW I HAVE ANOTHER ONE BAD!



This time, I am going to change all of the bulbs at once.



Go Chrysler! Thanks for the piece of ****! They can't even get dash bulbs right

uhhh... bulbs burn out, not sure how you can blame that one on Chrysler. It would stand to reason that since the bulbs are all the same age and are on the same amount of time, that they would burn out around the same time.

 

[Turbo Kidd]

uhhh... bulbs burn out, not sure how you can blame that one on Chrysler. It would stand to reason that since the bulbs are all the same age and are on the same amount of time, that they would burn out around the same time.

O. K. , I will give you the fact that I can't / shouldn't blame Chrysler for the bulbs..... However, it is strange that they all seemed to go at the same time. I love my truck, problems and all... . However, given all the stupid little things that these Rams have go wrong, you have to admit it is par for course.



Now I have a question for you, and I'm not being an *****hole either... . When was the last time you had all of your dash bulbs go bad? When was the last time there was a pattern of bad bulbs in a vehicle? I know many member here have had the same issue. I personally have never had a single bulb go out on any other vehicle I own / owned.

 

[AWise]

I have had them go out on several cars that I have owned. I have even seen it on another family members Toyota truck and a Honda Accord (read supposedly "higher quality" vehicles). I guess in my experience it isn't out of the ordinary. I agree that its usually the little things that tend to trip up the big three, but I wouldn't trade my truck for another make.

 

[Turbo Kidd]

I have had them go out on several cars that I have owned. I have even seen it on another family members Toyota truck and a Honda Accord (read supposedly "higher quality" vehicles). I guess in my experience it isn't out of the ordinary. I agree that its usually the little things that tend to trip up the big three, but I wouldn't trade my truck for another make.

I agree with you, I would never give up my Ram. The little things annoy me, but overall it is a good truck I'm a little bit worried what i will buy next if Dodge does scrap their trucks. I was a Ford man my whole life until I bought this Ram.

 

[mconstable]

How involved are the bulb changes?

Please tell me it's not a total dash-removal like accessing the blend door!

 

[MillerR]

I'm anxiously waiting the answer to this question as well. I have the same issue on my '03 dash. -Trey

 

[mconstable]

Now come on... someone reading has either had to do this, or maybe has a service manual, and can shoot us some advice?

Thanks guys!

 

[AustinRunner]

I will add my interest in acquiring info on getting to burned out dash lights. I'm not surprised to loose a bulb or two in 149K miles in my 2003. Thanks.

 

[GaryOwen]

It's not a bad job at all. I had been putting it off for a long time before I finally got around to doing them. I started on the end of the dash and just started taking things off. Only took about 45 minutes tops. Hardest part was unplugging/replugging wiring connectors from instrument panel. IIRC there are 11 bulbs total and they come in a package of 11 from Dodge. You can buy them separately though. Cost was in the $8 to $10 range. I had NINE bulbs out! Should have done them sooner.

 

[AustinRunner]

Thanks Gary. Looks like a trip to my closest Dodge dealer is in order for a packet of bulbs. I appreciate the encouragement.

 

[SWithrow]

I would replace them with LED bulbs, they are brighter and do not get quite as hot in fact there is almost no heat to them. I installed white LEDs (Change the numbers from green to a blue color).

 

[AustinRunner]

I like the idea of using LED bulbs. Did you buy yours from Dodge? Genos?

 

[SWithrow]

I like the idea of using LED bulbs. Did you buy yours from Dodge? Genos?

This is where i bought them, i can't remember what the bulb type is.
Super Bright LEDs - Instrument Cluster and Gauge Backlights

 

[GaryOwen]

Just happened to have a couple of old bulbs in the garage. They are marked "AL8. 4". They also look like the B8. 4 bulbs in the website listed above. Lens is clear for the original bulbs. Hope this helps.

 

[AustinRunner]

I called my local dodge dealer to get the instrument cluster bulb part number so I could cross reference it to an LED light bulb number. I was (mis)informed that they only come individually and the number is 4839738. Doesn't look like a crossreferencable number to me. I'm still digging. l

 

[AustinRunner]

Gary, thanks for going the extra mile or at least to the garage. I'm ordering 11 of the B8. 4D-W bulbs. If you are a vet - thanks for your service. Either way, thanks for your help today.

 

[JSooter]

Great timing for this thread. . just last night I discovered a bulb (or two) were out.

I sure like the idea of LED bulbs; they tend to last much longer!



Thanks all

 

[KBertetto]

Question regarding changing these bulbs. The LED's (B8. 4D-W) are polarized... . so when inserting them through the circuit board, which way do I spin them and how much of a turn? Where are the contacts on the green board? For those that replaced their bulbs already, did you completely dismantle the instrument cluster in order to see the "Gauge Side" of the circuit board? Sorry for the million questions, any and all info is appreciated.



Bert