DIY Dashboard Lights Replacement-1993 Mazda 626

The dash lights for the turn signals has gone one by one during last 3 months. The back light for the tachometer and the headlight indicator are dim. It is time to get the light bulbs replaced.

It is not that hard to get access to the light bulbs. Follow the steps below, it will take less than 30 minutes to get access to them.

Step 1    Remove the bezel

The bezel is held by two screws at the top and 3 clips at the bottom.

After removing the 2 screws, the bottom edge of the bezel can be pried out carefully with a screw driver.

Step 2    Remove the light cluster

Once the bezel is removed, you can remove 4 screws (indicated by arrows below) that hold the light cluster.

(This picture was taken after the light bulbs had been replaced.)

The cluster has 3 cable connectors at the rear. Each one has a latch to hold itself in position. Press the latch and unplug them one by one (It is the hardest part). See the pictures below.

The light cluster removed.

The light cluster (the front)

The light cluster (the rear)

Step 3    Remove the bulbs

There are two type of light bulbs that used in the light cluster. One is medium and another is small. The are standard wedge bulb and are available at Canadian Tires or auto parts stores. They are hold by bulb holder which have a bayonet mount to the cluster. Three bigger bulbs are for back lighting. Each of them has a condom like cap on it.

Remove all light bulbs from the light cluster and test with 12V. Also, do visual inspection against the darken bulbs. They may still work but there are not much life in them. The bigger one is type 161/BP2. It costs 1.99 for a pack of 2. I didn't buy any for the smaller one, so I don't know the type. Just take a sample from the cluster and get a match from an auto parts store.

I also changed the light bulb for the "head light ON" with a white LED (needs a 250 ohm resistor in series with it) so that it is much brighter.

Step 4    Put the bulbs back

Replace the bad bulbs and put all bulbs back. Plug the connectors to the light cluster and do a field test. If everything works, put the screws on and put the bezel back.

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End of the project

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