72GoldOlds350

Hello,

Simple question; the dash lights on my 1972 Cutlass Supreme all work well and light up as much I need, with exception of the 4 light bulbs that are covered by the blue tinted plexiglass/plastic. These are the small bulbs that light up the AC controls, etc.

Seems like the bulbs are easy to replace - but are there easy LED replacements that are a bit brighter? For stock, they barely light anything up at all.

Thank you all so much!

72GoldOlds350

Even a part number would be good!

I figured either 1) No one has done this because they don't care that much or 2) this is an easy question that everyone has done. Ha!

I searched, but no luck. Has anyone swapped out those 4 little bulbs with a multi-directional LED for better light?

oldolds88

I have no experience with leds. but I would try it anyway. but that's me

troyd

I've done it.....and prefer the standard bulbs. I like the dimmer "mood lighting" effect. The LED's make me feel like I'm getting softened up to be interrogated. Maybe it's just me.

The sockets on the ends are a real PITA to get at if you have fat fingers like me, and all things being equal, I'd just leave them be and spend that time reorganizing my sock drawer or something of that nature.

As always, YMMV.

Cheers,

Troy

72GoldOlds350

Thanks for the heads up. I just realized one of the 4 bulbs is burnt out. I'm probably going to go ahead and replace all 4 of them. I just removed the dash plaque and thought it would be easy to get to them, but now I'm not sure how!

72GoldOlds350

Do I get to these light bulbs from under the dash? I was bummed to find out the bulbs are blocked off when you take the gauge bezel and blue plastic light covers off, even though they are right there!

72cutlassconv

You'll need to remove the gas gauge and the clock. Once you remove those two, you'll have access to replace these bulbs.

72GoldOlds350

Right on - thank you so much! I appreciate it.

troyd

I pulled all three gauges and did them all at once, to include the lights in the gauges........no sense having to do that again any time soon. Again, nothing super difficult....just a PITA, but patience and a cold beverage and it's all groovy.


Cheers,

Troy

72GoldOlds350

troyd

The bulbs are very easy to find.........Amazon.com is your friend!

Any auto parts store has them but they are cheaper online......so, it's a confliction for me. I'm a tightwad but I'm also the poster boy for instant gratification.

Cheers,

Troy

72GoldOlds350

Are those 4 bulbs that light up the HVAC controls under the clear blue/green plastic lenses the same bulbs as instrument panel bulbs?

troyd

All the ones in the dash are interchangable.....off the top of my head, I believe the book lists some of them as 168's and some 194's.....but I used all 194's.

I could be off on the #'s but the idea is that you can use the same ones...ever see Mr. Mom? What did you use? A .38? .38, .39...whatever it took.

Cheers,

Troy

72GoldOlds350

Haha, sounds good! I only asked because I saw a lot of different bulb designs from the websites I went to, but all were cheap. I'll probably just get a bunch of each style as they were all really cheap. I just do not want to have the wrong bulbs when I have the dash partially apart.