oldschmo

How difficult is it to get at the high beam indicator bulb.It seems like mine is gone.Although it could be the switch I guess,but everything else seems ok..Oldschmo 1983 Delta 88 Royale

Texas69

I share your pain having gone through this recently. For some reason the wire for my high beam indicator was pulled from the wiring harness that plugged into the back of the speedo pod.

Accessing the indicator light is possible (on a '69 at least) without removing the speedometer with some acrobatics and contortions while laying on your back with your head under the dash. Neither a pleasant nor pretty sight. Once the bulb is located a slight twist of the holder will pop it out.

I suggest first confirming the floor switch is good, as that is a lot easier to replace. If you must go under the dash to the light itself, I suggest flipping through the assembly manual or search on this site for a picture or diagram of the back of the speedo pod so you know exactly what you are looking for before you actually get in the car. Some of this may be done by touch only. My A/C vents were removed during the process which may make it easier.

Lady72nRob71

Could be easy, could be a PIA. Of course we need to know what year and model to be able to tell you which.

MDchanic

If the floor switch makes the high beams go on and off, then it is good and you need to look elsewhere.

- Eric

oldschmo

Thanks for the replies..Sorry the year of the 88. 1983 royale. Short on options for the year but keeping it simple is a plus when it comes to repairs.the car is quite a find with only 7800. kilometers,mostly kept in a garage used enough to have the car maintained as needed..Oldschmo

MDchanic

I'd look in the owner's manual and see how to get to the bulb first.

With 7800km they DID give you the owner's manual, right?

- Eric

oldschmo

Thanks. yes I have the owners manual, but it just give the bulb # and the location on the front display...Oldschmo.

MDchanic

Darned modern manuals.

I guess you'll need the Chassis Service Manual then, unless someone on here is familiar with your year, which I am definitely not.

- Eric

Greg B.

If you haven't done this yet, the post below is an excellent primer. The high beam lamp is the one directly above the speedo cable, and is covered by a small red plastic flap. The bulb itself may be bad, or the bulb socket may be making poor contact with the printed circuit on the back of the cluster.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post418564

junqueboi

I usually replace the separate bulb & socket pieces with the PC161, PC194, or PC168 assemblies since the bulbs are soldered to the sockets. It eliminates one point of corrosion.

I load up on these when I go to the scrapyard: nearly all '90 & newer GM vehicles have these in their instrument clusters. They are a direct fit/replacement.