I need to take my dash off to replace some burned out bulbs. The bulb behind the light switch is out and is there a light behind the 4x4 switch? I’m sure it’s been done, but I can’t seem to find it. Any advice or a link?

 

OK, I managed to get the panel off and not break anything. The lamps that are out are in the light switch and the 4x4 switch.

In the light switch there is a place for 2 lamps on a post. In my switch one of the posts is missing (it goes in the hole on the right), and the one that was still there and burned out goes in the hole on the left:
IMG_1282_zps5adb21f3.jpg

The 4x4 switch has 2 lamps soldered in place. The blue one works and the clear one is burned out:
IMG_1276_zpse3281db5.jpg


As you would expect, the 4x4 switch is "not serviceable". Also, the dealer said the lamps in the light switch are also not serviceable (if you want them you have to buy a new switch).

Has anyone replaced any of these lamps? If so, how?

For my missing post, and good ideas (besides a new light switch or junk yard) how to replace it?

Any links for places that sell small heavy duty 12v lamps?

 

Check a hobby store.

Lots of model railroad guys use 12 volt "grain of wheat" type lamps. Or, if you have the room, LED and a dropping resistor.

 

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/rafr...319236-3855180


http://www.buycheapr.com/us/result.j...sh+light+bulbs


http://www.dakota-durango.com/forum/...ad.php?t=45132

One more

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/i...cluster-gauge/

 

Superbrightleds.com is a great place. In your headlamp switch the right hole gets the same style light it was just shorter and only turned on when you turned your factory fog lights on.

 

Thanks for all of the great suggestions!

I already ran over to the local hobby shop, but it was just closing. I asked the owner if they had any bulbs, but he said no. He did mention where a train shop is in the valley though…

I wasn’t sure if LEDs would be dimmable. Do they dim like conventional bulbs? I like that LEDs will last “forever”.

Thanks for the note on the right hole. I don’t have fog lights, so that’s why it’s missing.

I’ll probably run over to the train shop tomorrow morning and see what they have…

On the bright side - I stopped in Ace to see if they had any bulbs (they’re located right next to the hobby shop), and they didn’t, but they do sell fuse pullers, and mine was missing, so I now have a fuse puller.

 

Did you try the local auto parts store they may have them ask the employee at the parts desk

 

The dealer asked me to come over and see if they had something that would fit - they didn't.

Yeah, I was thinking that before I head over to the train store I would drop by the local car parts place and see if they have anything.

 

I looked on the net and found JKL had some lamps (Neo-Wedge (28mm?), Bi-Pin, and Wire Terminal) that are really close, maybe even exact, but I couldn't find anyone that sold them at a reasonable quantity/price. I also checked 3 different auto parts stores around here - no luck. The train store had 14V 30 ma bulbs for a buck a piece so a got a few of them.

I did note that the light switch has more that the one easy to get to lamp. There are one ore more lamps inside the box, and I'm afraid I'll break the box getting to them, so I'll probably just run some of the train lights inside the box for extra light.

I did do a test with the train lights and they don't appear to be as bright as the original lights, and I'm not sure how many hours they'll last, but I'll wire them up (hopefully tomorrow) and see how they work out.

 

A suggestion you could pull the bulbs out of your A/C controler and use them if you need to get your dash back together

Just a suggestion

look here at a used one it shows the back and the bulb socket

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Dakota...-/190615162509

Be careful pulling the A/C controler out use caution