I have a nice alpine cd player with a blue color to it and I want to change the dash color to the same. Does anyone know how to change the bulbs to make them blue? and where I could get some of the bulbs?

 

I cheated; I changed the display color of my JVC to match the dash lights.

 

i got a spare instrument gauge cluster sitting here on my toolbox, i'll take a look at it tomorrow when i get home from work and see if it's possible to change anything on it....i'd be willing to sell it to someone as well if they looking for a low mileage cluster...think it's only got like 20K miles on it....but i'll let ya know bout the bulb thing

 

I don't know about Dodge, but most manufacturers these days are using LED's soldered on to the instrument panel printed circuit board. Replacement would involve removal of the various pieces of plastic cowling then the instrument panel, pulling the LED's and soldering in place your new ones. I have never performed this surgery, though I did replace the instrument panel in my '05 F-150, it was an easy job. But I have no experience soldering on cicuit boards, and something tells me that one would be an expensive one to replace if you screw up!

 

CLUSTER BULB
NOTE: This procedure applies to each of the incandescent cluster illumination lamp bulb and bulb holder units. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system, the RKE module must be removed from the instrument cluster rear cover to access the lower center cluster illumination lamp, which is located on the circuit board directly behind the RKE module.




[ol][*]Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.[*]Remove the instrument cluster from the instrument panel.[*]From the back of the instrument cluster (1), turn the bulb holder counterclockwise about 30 degrees on the cluster electronic circuit board.[*]Pull the bulb and bulb holder unit straight out from the keyed opening in the cluster electronic circuit board.[/ol]

 

That sure looks a whole lot more doable than having to solder on a circuit board. Is there a PDF document that details the procedure for getting down to the instrument cluster? Another question, what choices for bulb colors are there? and also are these bulbs specialty items only available through Dodge, or are they widely available? Part numbers?

 

Maybe this will help. Go to superbrightleds.com to find bulbs.
REMOVAL





[ol][*]Remove the two screws (1) that secure the bottom of the steering column opening cover (2) to the instrument panel.[*]Using a trim stick C-4755 or equivalent, release the two retainer clips that secure the top of the steering column opening cover to the instrument panel and remove the cover.[/ol]

REMOVAL





[ol][*]Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.[*]Using a trim stick C-4755 or equivalent, disengage the top retainer clips on the steering column opening cover and the lower drivers side bezel.[*]Using a trim stick C-4755 or equivalent, disengage the retainer clips that secure the headlamp switch bezel (1) to the instrument panel (2).[*]Disconnect the wire harness connector (3) from the headlamp switch (4) and remove the switch bezel.[/ol]
REMOVAL





[ol][*]Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.[*]Remove the steering column opening cover
CAUTION: When servicing the instrument center bezel, use tape or another suitable material to protect the cup holder and ash receiver from cosmetic damage.[*]Open the ashtray and the cup holder.[*]Remove the screw (3) that secures the instrument panel center bezel (2) to the instrument panel (1).[*]Using a trim stick C-4755 or equivalent, disengage the retainer clips that secure the instrument panel center bezel to the instrument panel.[*]Disconnect the wire harness connectors and remove the center bezel from the vehicle.[/ol]
REMOVAL






[ol][*]Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.[*]Remove the headlamp switch bezel[*]Remove the instrument panel center bezel[*]Remove the two screws (2) that secure the top of the instrument cluster bezel (3) to the instrument panel (1).[*]Using a trim stick C-4755 or equivalent, disengage the two retainer clips (4) that secure the bottom of the instrument cluster bezel to the instrument panel.[*]Carefully disengage the instrument cluster bezel from the instrument panel opening and remove the bezel.[/ol]

REMOVAL
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supplemental restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the supplemental restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.





[ol][*]Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.[*]Remove the cluster bezel from the instrument panel.[*]Remove the four screws (3) that secure the instrument cluster (2) to the instrument panel structural support (4).[*]Pull the instrument cluster rearward far enough to access and disconnect the three instrument panel wire harness connectors (1) from the connector receptacles on the back of the cluster housing.[*]Remove the instrument cluster from the instrument panel.[/ol]

 

Thanks Parts/Service, thats really great information! Takes a lot of the guess work out of the operation.

 

I'm new to the Dodge forum, I recently bought an 03 and the upper dash panel just cracked. I searched the web and it sounds like no recalls. So i'm planning on replacing the panel myself. Saw your post on the instrument panel and was wanting your advice. Go back with same OEM panel (dark taupe) ? Is there an improved part out there? Where can I find Step by step upper panel removal instructions? I have removed the dash on a couple of F-150's, so hopefully the job won't be that hard in comparison.
Thanks for your help.

 

If they are LEDs you can color them with a Sharpie.