changing cluster lights

[kracker055]

i was wondering i have a 87 grand marquis and was wondering how hard it was to change the color of the lights that illuminate all the gauges. and how would i go about doing this? if someone could help me it would be appreciated.

[86GmLsCoupe]

Well first off I wanted to say welcome to GMN. I'll try and start you off with what the basics I know. The lights (standard clear bulb/ I think 194) inside the cluster have blue covers on them which mix with yellow of the bulb to make that nice green glow. There are a few options such as using colored glass bulb without the covers. I'd say though, your best bet is to get LED bulbs. They provide excellent illumination and increased dependability and lifespan so you won't have bulbs going out on you nearly as much. Just get the the LED's in the color of your choice and pop off the covers and you'll be set. I think you can also use the LED's with the covers but have no idea how that would look. The others will fill in and give you some more detailed information.

[87_crown_vic]

IIRC the bulbs are 194s. the color you get is due to the film/color filter on the back side of the gauges. the color can be change by removal of the instrument cluster and swapping to LEDs for longer life and better coloring compared to a colored 194.

[murphmobile2]

The other thing you can do (after you pop out the blue covers in the speedometer) is use gel covers over the bulbs. That's what I did with my red guages.




Wal-Mart also sells some 194's that are 20% brighter than standard bulbs, would love to try them sometime and see how well they work. The 194's put off plenty of light though, even with the gel covers. Gel covers come in blue, green, and red for the most part.

[kracker055]

how many bulbs are there that i need to change? that way i dont buy to many or not enough?

[gabegt90]

you can always by the leds from pete <85 crown hpp> he is the resident leds mang afor grandmarquis I think it 5 bulbs you need

[87_crown_vic]

there are 4 lights that light up your speedometer, gas gauge, mileage, and gives the glow that Murph has. a bulb in each corner of the cluster.

[kracker055]

so theres only 5 bulbs that i need for the cluster on an 87 correct?

[86VickyLX]

Yes. I believe so.

[87_crown_vic]

i havent had my 87 dashes apart. i know on a 1989 you change the 4 corner bulbs to make it the color you want

[gadget73]

Its a Grand Marquis, they may be different. Towncars I think have 6. Police Vics have 2, civi Vics have 4. So the short answer is: need to check with someone who has a Grand Marq, or possibly its in the lighting schedule in the owner's manual.

[86VickyLX]

Or take the cluster out and see for yourself.

[86VickyLX]

you really like the Jack Ass smiley don't you?

[85crownHPP]

ask fatnasty he put them in his GMQ.
A few of us have the LED replacements - they work great. Search eay for "5 led 194" and your color. Get the ones from Warden JP in hong kong - they are the only ones Ive gotten so far that work with either polarity like normal bulbs

[Nathan in MI]

And those are a direct, plug in replacement for the incandescent lamps, right? I needs to get me some o' them thar LEDs...Do they come in white, or something resembling a clear incandescent?