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Bulbs inside electronic cluster?

I have a 1983 Tbird Heritage with an electronic cluster in the dash.
Both turn signal indicator & the High Beam indicator bulbs have burned out. (One at a time)
Are these inside the cluster itself or are they behind it?
Also are these bulbs actually colored or clear? My chilton's book says they are 194/37 bulbs, but neither
shows their actual location or says what color the bulbs actually are. Anyone with this information,
or how to change them out would be appreciated.

Bulbs inside electronic cluster?

Reply #1
Clear. My buddy did a write up on disassembling the 83-84 electronic cluster on here.
Current: 1986 Thunderbird, 105k 3.8/C5, 2 tone  Midnight Wine/Medium Taupe, wing windows, wire wheel covers.


Former: 1985 Cougar GS 115k Oxford White/Regatta Blue, 5.0, full console, 14" 8 hole aluminum T-Bird rims, Edelbrock valve covers.


Bulbs inside electronic cluster?

Reply #3
yeah theyre small glass bulbs that sit inside plastic sockets
1986 Ford Thunderchicken, 5.0 AOD w/ Shift kit,  354,XXX miles. 1-Family owned. Original engine+trans.
8.8 Disc Rear w/ 3.73 Posi. CHE Control Arms. '04 Cobra brakes all around. 2000 Cobra R wheels. Tubular front LCA's. MM Steering Shaft. Unlocked Speedo, Lowering springs, Eibach sway bars front and rear. Ram air intake.

Bulbs inside electronic cluster?

Reply #4
yes, Lumpycheesman did the electronic cluster write up.. its in my diy link,, very rare cluster.  there are maybe a half dozen people here with one,, maybe a dozen.

presto!!!!!!!
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?21828-83-instrument-cluster&highlight=digital

Bulbs inside electronic cluster?

Reply #5
He's a very good friend, we talk almost everyday
Current: 1986 Thunderbird, 105k 3.8/C5, 2 tone  Midnight Wine/Medium Taupe, wing windows, wire wheel covers.


Former: 1985 Cougar GS 115k Oxford White/Regatta Blue, 5.0, full console, 14" 8 hole aluminum T-Bird rims, Edelbrock valve covers.

Bulbs inside electronic cluster?

Reply #6
Great! Thanks for the info.

Bulbs still won't light up

Reply #7
Quote from: rizinstar;438320
Great! Thanks for the info.


I changed out all the suspect bulbs with new ones, and reinstalled the electronic cluster.
To my amazement they still don't light up. I turned the headlights on bright, no bright indicator light still. The turn signals all work, (front & rear), but the turn signal indicator bulbs still don't light up either. Does this mean the cluster itself has gone bad? I also checked all my fuses, all good.

Bulbs inside electronic cluster?

Reply #8
Closely examine the connector. From my 84 EVTM it looks like connector position 17 is the ground for all those lights.

Bulbs inside electronic cluster?

Reply #9
you could alligator clip in a temporary ground from the wire mentioned above and connect to the steering column or another chassis ground , see if they come on then.

Bulbs inside electronic cluster?

Reply #10
here is the 84 layout, one year earlier may be similar

the dashed box called instrumentation illumination is considered bulbs for the whole cluster.
what you are saying is only turn & high beam are your issue.

does everything else on the cluster light up?
does your radio , heater ect light up as well?


Bulbs inside electronic cluster?

Reply #12
left turn = source from multifunction switch= turn signal flasher
right turn= source from multifunction switch= turn signal flasher
high / low beam = source from multifunction switch

instrumentation cluster = source from fuse 13 but if blown other interior illumination would be down as well.

what happens when you turn on your hazards, to the L & R turn bulbs light up?  if yes= swap the hazard flasher in turn sig flasher place ( I think they are the same) then get new flasher.

you may have two separate problems.  the high/lo beams are separate from turn signals but are common when they hit the multi function switch.

if you have "auto lamp" feature then make sure that those functions are OFF when testing.

Bulbs inside electronic cluster?

Reply #13
Is this connector attached to the back of the cluster? Because the cluster would not come out enough to unhook anything...I ended up changing the bulbs out from the front of the cluster...I could not even get my hands behind the cluster, was a cable or something holding it. I am such a nOOb...lol...Dome light and door panel lights work...heater a/c switch light doesn't...door ajar light, low fuel and AMP(battery) lights all light up when I turn key on. Digital Fuel Gauge and Speedometer light up on cluster, nothing else. Hazards light up on outside of car, just not the indicator bulbs. Same with High Beams and Turn signals...just no indicator bulbs lighting.

Bulbs inside electronic cluster?

Reply #14
Is this connector attached to the back of the cluster? Because the cluster would not come out enough to unhook anything...I ended up changing the bulbs out from the front of the cluster...I could not even get my hands behind the cluster, was a cable or something holding it. I am such a nOOb...lol