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how to replace the lights in the instrument panel of a 2002 neon


singermod
07-25-2006, 01:50 PM
It appears that 2-3 (still unknown) of the p-nut bulbs went out in the instrument cluster. How to get at them is the question? I did not try yet but would rather try myself then pay big bucks for the dealer to do this. Can anyone help me?:frown:
The left and right side of the odometer and the left side of the tach is out. The top of the odometer and the top and right side of the tach are fine.
Is this truly a job for the experts?

freespatula
09-30-2006, 12:39 AM
Very easy to do if you are the least bit mechanicaly inclined.
First pull off both A piller covers(the beige platic trim next to the windshield on both sides of the in side of your car)
next open both front doors and remove the screw on each side of your dash.

next remove the screws (2 i think) hidden in the windshield defrost vent (look through your windshield from outside to locate them).

now you should be able to remove the top of your dash with a firm tug up on the hump above the instrument gauge.

now you have to remove the piece of plastic from under the instrument panel.(the one with the 4 humps on it right above steering wheel). to do so you have to remove the knee plate from under the steering wheel first. once that is off the plastic piece under the instrument panel will lift off with a little tug.

now you can remove the instrument panel by removing all the screws holding it down( 4 i think) and pulling the whole thing forward.

now that the instrument panel is out just remove the twist knobs that hold the bulbs and replace the burt bulbs as nessary.

reverse order to reinstall.

singermod
10-02-2006, 10:57 AM
Very easy to do if you are the least bit mechanicaly inclined.
First pull off both A piller covers(the beige platic trim next to the windshield on both sides of the in side of your car)
next open both front doors and remove the screw on each side of your dash.

next remove the screws (2 i think) hidden in the windshield defrost vent (look through your windshield from outside to locate them).

now you should be able to remove the top of your dash with a firm tug up on the hump above the instrument gauge.

now you have to remove the piece of plastic from under the instrument panel.(the one with the 4 humps on it right above steering wheel). to do so you have to remove the knee plate from under the steering wheel first. once that is off the plastic piece under the instrument panel will lift off with a little tug.

now you can remove the instrument panel by removing all the screws holding it down( 4 i think) and pulling the whole thing forward.

now that the instrument panel is out just remove the twist knobs that hold the bulbs and replace the burt bulbs as nessary.

reverse order to reinstall.
Thank you so much for the info. I will try this soon since it is annoying looking at a half lit panel.

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