I believe I've gathered up enough of an idea through searching out the forums, but I hear this is an absolute nightmare. I'm going to go through and replace all the bulbs in the dash (I know a few are out, but I'd might as well do all of them while I'm waiting on the engine) but am I correct in understanding you'll need to pull the A/C ducting out in order to reach up to the backside of the gauges? Or, do I need to pull the entire dash out?

Also, what bulbs will I need? I'm going to replace all gauge bulbs, as well as if there are any near the HVAC head unit and/or the radio. As tempting as an LED swap is, I'd rather just stick with the OE style as it'll be less work I'm sure.

I say "I", but being honest it'll probably be the wife as she's been the only one up under the dash yet and is off work the next couple days itching for something to get done on the car.

Thanks in advance.

 

From the Owner's Manual

 

I'll have to check, but I think I have a tic toc tach (or whatever Oldsmobile called them)

I dont think I have the rally pack gauges, but I could be wrong I guess.

 

RPO U21 Rocket Rally Pac included both the tach/clock and the gauges. You couldn't get one without the other. Many people have installed one or the other, but from the factory it was both or nothing.

 

Just asked the wife to send me pictures of the gauges, and it looks like that was the case.




am I right in thinking I have a bit of both?

 

The car did not come from the factory that way.

 

I agree. The more I work on this thing, the more I see previous owners have added/upgraded.

Am I correct then I thinking I'll need 4 168's then?

 

Two in the tach for illumination and two in the idiot lights. Yes.

 

Thank you.

 

Just as an option if you want more illumination, install 2825 bulbs instead of the 194s and 168s. It made a big difference in mine.

 

Do they just plug in like the old bulbs?

 

To answer your original question, I would remove the duct for greater access. It is really difficult to get a hand up there. I pulled the dash to fix a few things, including replacing a few bulbs. Only later did I realize I could get my hand up there but you can't see what you are doing. Your wife may have better luck. I could access some bulbs. "I believe I've gathered up enough of an idea through searching out the forums, but I hear this is an absolute nightmare'

Steve

 

Those high wattage incandescent bulbs will cook the area around the bulb sockets. LEDs won't.

 

The stock 168 is 4.9W.
The suggested 2825 is 5 W.

 

I can't think .1W would create damage, correct?

 

No. From what I can find, the 2825 has higher lumens (more light output), but with a lower lifetime, so nothing is free.

 

Yes, they are physically identical.

 

I'll have to give up life expectancy for the added brightness...the eyes are not what they used to be!

 

Alright, I now have working lights (although the light switch seems a bit finicky just like a few other plugs throughout the car) just need to figure out the light for the radio, how to change the dome light (cap twist off?) and if the PS indicator bulb in the bumper is sealed beam or not.

I'm also kind of concerned that I can turn the ignition without the key. Surely that can't be normal, right?

 

The dome light cover pries off with small tabs. Don't twist it. If you can turn the lock without the key, the lock is messed up.