PT Cruiser Dash Light/Instrument Cluster Removal and Replacement

Replacing the instrument cluster bulbs on the purple people eater. Part numbers are mentioned in video. Straightforward job, just a little time consuming.
Facebook: / weekendhandymen-420780...

[@Fabi1701A]

Thank youuuuu! I did it all by myself. The only problem I had was that the bulbs bought ahead of time were the wrong size and that I had to go back to the store on a bicycle to get the right ones. It took me about 3 hours but it is now all good and working. I’ve had my pt for 17 years now and take good care of it. Thank youuuuu again for the video.

[@breonasylvia8673]

I am a 64 year old woman and after my husband disconnected the neg.battery cable for me.... I did the rest of the job myself. It only took just over an hour and that was because I struggled to get the top of the dash up out of my way... but I did it and they all work. thank for an easy to follow video.. the picture...is my grand daughter

[@WeekendHandymen]

+Breona Sylvia You're welcome

[@breonasylvia8673]

+WeekendHandymen hahaha this is great. I guess I left my KZbin account signed in on my grandma's computer. 😂😂

[@WeekendHandymen]

+Breona Sylvia Hahahaha. Could of been worse.

[@t.j.perrotti2483]

Hey WeekendHandymen ... a HUGE thank you for this detailed video. I've just replaced the fuel gauge bulb (and its neighbors) following in the incredibly detailed how-to steps from your video. I would not have attempted to tackle something like this without your step-by-step instructions. I can't thank you enough!!! You've me me ... and my Cruiser ... much happier!

[@steelbosgrove8446]

its a great clarifying video! yet another reminder of the ludicrously overcomplicated way these cars were thrown together ! thanks for doing it so comprehensively !

[@amypletcher4411]

Sir, this video was perfect!! Showed my husband and I how to exactly change the burned out bulbs we need for our instrument panel!!! Thank you so very much!! Your camera person did a great job and loved how you finished showing the process from start to finish 👏!!!

[@davidlawhon9303]

No matter how good of job you do, some one has something negative to say, but as for me, thank you this video helped me a LOT! Keep them coming!

[@mrh1298]

thanks so much for posting this video. i just changed the lights in my wife's 2004 PT Cruiser and thanks to you it was a piece of cake.

[@riccoh2008]

Hey my friend, this video allowed me to do this repair by myself, and I'm very happy about that. I followed your instructions to the letter, and it worked perfectly. My thanks to you for taking the time to upload it.

[@mmhendrie]

terrific video. Really appreciate the level of detail and explanation here. I watched it twice all the way thru, and then went outside and had 6 new bulbs in and everything back the way it should be under just under an hour. Only really tricky piece is lifting the dash panel up, because of the two clips holding it in - getting them out, and then getting them back in again!! Anyhow, really appreciate this - saved me a couple of hundred bucks!

[@The__Outlaw]

Great video. Glad you showed the whole process. Meaning, what the back of the panel looks like and where the bulbs are located behind panel. Good man

[@bilzarkz]

Thanks for the video. I replaced my lights this morning. It took about an hour and I scratched my plastic instrument cluster putting the painted part back on but at least I have dash lights now. I put blue LED in. I ordered led for the HVAC controls but they aren’t the right size. Those I can live without. I now can see my speedometer at night without having to use my iPhone.

[@billdesroches6393]

Great vid. Simple and easy to follow. Just did this yesterday had no issues. Thanks.

[@williamlesser411]

This was a very helpful, clear and well done DIY video. The tricky procedure was reinserting the 2 flips that you used your pick for. I had an a Ternate was that proved successful. I used aiece of nylon string, shared in a "U" and placed around the clip from below and the pulled down hard to get the clip to insert in the slot. Then I could just pull the string through after the clip was in place.

[@marcusdamberger]

10:29 Top tip, to get the dash cover back in place with those two clips you had to bend. Simply remove the A pillar driver side door pillar cover. You do that by pulling the door gasket far enough away from the A pillar and then pull on the plastic cover, it's held in by clips. Once that cover is removed there is a whole lot more play with the dashboard cover and you can easily get those two clips to line up and secure in place. Do the opposite of putting the door pillar cover back in place and gasket, and you don't chance marring the lip of the dashboard cover. Otherwise the rest of the video worked just as you showed it!

[@BillWhetstone]

On the 05 the A part and the top of windshield cover are one piece. Not sure about other years, It looks like a regular two piece meeting, but alas no. Two torx screws and visor comes off and then easy.

[@gunterkoch8151]

Hi guys, thanks a lot for this great video. Without it I would not have dared to fix the lights. You saved me around 300 Euros (400 USD) which help me a lot, because I have lost my job. Greetings from Austria in Europe, Gunter

[@tvtower]

this is the clearest vid on this subject, cheers.

[@dfjelddalen]

Thank you! Followed this to the letter, perfect instructions, I now have dash lights again. Tip: when using non-original chinese LEDs, ensure that the contacts on the bulbs actually are in contact with anything. So original type bulbs are preferable.

[@walterburaconak6260]

Perfect , the hardest part for me was getting the top of the dash back in where you used your hook tool. Took less than an hour and that included going to get the bulbs.

[@markmarshallmusic]

Thank you SO much for this video - did it tonight, and it worked like charm from beginning to end. (Those two little clips under the dash at 10:43 that you used the hook on... if you pull the dash forward with both hands - like really manhandle it - they'll move forward enough to lock in. ) Thanks again!

[@66ElCamino357]

Thanks for taking the time to video the step by step procedure for replacing the dashlight bulbs...very helpful :)

[@TheSmarq17]

As an owner of a '03 PT, removing the dash cover would make this job easier. Once the 2 screws are taken out all you have to do is remove the pillar covers and then pull on the dash cover with a small tug and it pulls straight out. This will allow you to reach the instrument cluster a little easier. Yup, been there, done that.

[@SuperBobKing]

I concur, it isn't much extra effort to take it out, and it makes it much easier to get back together, since you can put in the clips without using a tool to bend them. I also wasn't able to get the colored panel far enough out of the way without putting more stress on the blinker cable than I was comfortable with. Taking out the dash enabled me to put it on top of the dash so it was completely out of the way with no stress on the cable.

[@USCG.Brennan]

The pillars just pull straight out....no screws there. Then you can slide your dash "pad" out and this makes the cluster removal easier. The whole job of pulling it out and replacing it took just less than an hour using this video. ;-)

[@bilzarkz]

Do you have a link to your video to show us how it’s done? I need to do this and without pics or video step by step I don’t understand what you’re saying to do.

[@gaetancapitani3883]

Thank you men, this vid help me a lot, have a wonderful year.

[@brandonscheinuck4237]

This was very helpful thank you! Also a well put together tutorial.

[@delthomas2430]

Congrats on a very easy to follow video! I especially appreciated the clear audio and stable video camera. Way too many repair vids on KZbin have poor audio and/or are recorded using very shaky cameras!

[@bruceleo2607]

Great tutorial! Workes like a charm.

[@chrisdowers7081]

Great vid. Just change mine . It took several times to get the bulbs to work, had to bend the contacts out ward. Yes it was easier to remove the dash cover.

[@BillWhetstone]

Great video. I saw the comment below about making dash reassembly easier to deal with by removing A pillar cover. I saw other videos showing removal, but at least on my 05 GT, it is not that easy. You need to remove the visor, t torx screws, Pulling that out makes A pillar cover easy. The A part and the top part are one piece and are heat fused. Then you can pull the dash out jusrt enough to align the 2 clips. I used blue LEDs and it looks great.

[@harbertsand]

This video really made it easy to do. Thank you!!!!

[@gregkent8955]

Thank you; downloaded a copy for when I need to do this to my 2003.

[@Cdbarron727]

Awesome and informative video. Thanks bro!

[@allencorte9560]

Thank you for your help and time.

[@angelomulas934]

Bravo! Hai riportato la luce al cruscotto al buio, Grazie

[@Fueldump]

Angelo Mulas facile da eseguire?

[@omgnogod666]

Happy to stumble upon this gem of a video. This really helped out! Worse part was putting the dash board back in place without taking the whole dash apart. I used a long flat head screwdriver instead of the hook tool that he used (referring to 10:30). Also I used six SYLVANIA 74LL (Long Life) light bulbs. So far they work fine. Should probably have gone with the wagner ones but this will do. 2005 PT cruiser base model 152k miles

[@jimclarke]

Brilliant video. Thank you

[@wallacesrdonegan9987]

Thank you for your time

[@dnalkire]

This worked!!!! Thanks!!!! Easy to follow!!!! Make mor videos!!! Could u do one on pulling steering wheel and repainting plastic part of wheel..previous owner touched wheel w brake fluid on had (looks like)

[@fleetgrafix]

Thanks, easiest explanation for issue

[@007Moonraker1]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@rachelsmitson6757]

Thanks for the help!!!

[@jsmooth6801]

Great job

[@LesMorrisracing]

Good job!

[@daddy0772]

Thanks! The PT dash is mysterious. I am trying to get in to check speaker connections/wiring. Do not want a cracked dash.

[@TheDennisalan]

While I did find value to this video, there was one main problem, to wit: The dash top must be pulled toward you to unclip it and then it can be lifted. The reason that it was difficult in the video is that prying it straight up breaks off the tabs which go into the metal receiving clips, thank you very much.

[@lindsayzdadkevin]

great video thank you

[@niteflyer3380]

my personal advice is after removing the center screw behind the window switch, pull the complete dash pad assembly towards you and off. I can see where just popping the one side up can break the retaining pins/clips off. if this happens you might have a dash pad that will vibrate at different speeds, driving you and your passengers absolutely crazy.

[@jessemartinez8052]

if you removed the battery terminal, why was your cluster on

[@jtoombs56]

Yeah. Disconnected the battery and then 60656 miles on the odometer are magically displayed.

[@kathylewis7543]

Thanks for the broadcast are there bulbs behind the heater contols knob as well those are pretty dim...thanks.

[@CM-T]

Thank you so much for the video, I could replace my lights with ease. Can add a mention, that for the 2.2 CRD, the battery is under passenger seat? Took me a while to figure it out 😂

[@marisameans9859]

Great video- exactly what I need for my PT. What was that shrill alarm when you attached the battery and how'd you turn it off?

[@pupujinki4132]

Ugggg. Dropped a joint down between my windshield and dash, just a constant smell now…. Guess ima try this out. Thanks!

[@CJurasin]

My 2002 dash panel went totally out last week and now I have to replace the whole thing. (fuse was fine). I need to locate the serial number off the panel....where would I find that?

[@josemontgomery521]

Superb skills!!! I'd rather leave it alone, those plastics (in my PT junk) are prone to crack.

[@kordellsmith1011]

My dad has a pt cruiser he had me replace bulbs in, he only bought three bc only three were out, once I replaced them and plugged the cluster back in the ones that were working stopped working

[@JoeyRam.]

Does the Wagner 17037 fits on a 2003 base model?

[@emmanueldeprado]

6:51 The NEW bulbs he say!!! LOL He just remove the bulb make some magic moves and then put the SAME bulb LOL

[@jtoombs56]

Hahahaha! That was pretty lame. Since he was already well versed in the proceedure, I suspect he had just performed the operation and decided to make a KZbin video of it. He could have just fessed up and said that at that time or continued the ruse by actually reaching into the box and grabbing a new bulb or as was the case, try being a wannabe conman. FAIL

[@doghousepsychobillyradio3977]

If you disconnected the battery, how come you managed to switch on the hazard lights when you removed the clock surround and your mileage display was lit up ??

[@donaldfinkler2490]

Would this be the same for a 06 pt cruiser

[@emmatrujillo6426]

how do you take the panel to eraplace the spark.plugs

[@filipdunda3754]

does anyone have some tip where to find those bulbs? I am not able to find them

[@niel80]

So the original bulbs are white light right?

[@almacenvt3984]

WHAT TYPE OF LED FOCUS YOU USE??

[@memimo9]

Does anybody know if I can replace a 02 pt cluster for an 06 pt cruiser? Thanks!

[@chill_bruh-np4hf]

Ok if u disconnected the battery y the dash lights still on

[@jomfrulysetsfall3325]

We're those lights considered PC74

Generally GOOD video, and demonstrative that the little PT was actually designed with some forethought as to serviceability...much more so than the REALLY over-complicated crap being pumped out today. BUT...I would respectfully suggest that IF YOU CARE about not scratching everything up and making your car look like it's been worked on by a pack of chimps, you BLUE-TAPE things like the top of the steering column, etc., prior to pulling stuff apart and throwing it around. For some reason, most "techs" screw up everything they touch by being CARELESS. I've been a mechanic for 50 years, and if something has obviously been "worked on", then somebody is a sloppy hacker.

[@marklilly5669]

Hey if u pull off the piller cover the dash will lift up with no problem.the piller cover locks in to the dash.

[@CM-T]

True, I figured that out while hiding my bluetooth microphone cable behind it. But it's a pain getting it back on into place again. First, snap the dash back then the A trim cover.

[@joshuadennis4251]

+WeekendHandyman having exact opposite problem with cluster. 2005 PT Cruiser Converter the gauges or the sticks for each gauge wont come on. Tried replacing fuses still no response. My interior lights work including the ones you replaced in this said video, turn signals and hazard lights work just not the gauges I.E. mileage how much gas in the car my RPMs etc. Was told to replace the whole cluster, just wondering of what your opinion would be? Thanks

[@USCG.Brennan]

Joshua.....I'm experiencing the same thing with my 2002. What did you finally do?

[@robertlugo3111]

Joshua Dennis que modelo de foco es

[@USCG.Brennan]

I found out that the 2002 models would have the cluster go completely out for no reason. I contacted a company in PA that sells used (but guaranteed 90 days) bought one and replaced it-----> www.instrumentclusterstore.com/ The used one went in perfectly and works great but you have to send them the part number off the back of your broken one first, so they can send you the correct one. This and another video here on KZbin walked me through exactly how to do it and it was pretty simple.

[@timtom8184]

Hi mate could you fire some light on a question i have please....The middle section you took out with the electric windows switch .....You no the lights on the heater controls well i have 3 that have gone out and i can no longer see them at night....As i have not took it apart yet i was just wondering can i change the bulbs in it or do i have to buy the hole unit.

[@WeekendHandymen]

Not sure but you can likely change just the bulbs, although they may be a different part number than listed in the video

[@timtom8184]

Thank you

[@chrisdowers7081]

Yes they are the same bulb and can be replaced. remove the two screws and pull the unit out slowly. It will not come all the way out. When you install the new bulbs you may have bend the contacts outward to make contact . This may take a couple time to get them to work.

[@CHATO629]

Would it be the Same lightbulbs to also replace the Hightlight Bulb if it's No longer coming On?

[@bloodmoongrizzlythefirst6492]

You mean Highbeam light the "blue" light. The Answer would be yes. The one he "replaced" was that light.

[@buzzedalldrink9131]

I don’t know what year your car is I have a 2005 GT and the air cleaner box does not cover the battery you may want to modify yours or find a different cover so you have access to the battery without having to remove the air cleaner cover

[@BillWhetstone]

The turbo does not have that battery cover.

[@stbaldawi]

How many bulbs are there in the cluster ? And when you the bulbs, how many are there in the package ?

[@WeekendHandymen]

Not sure, but there were more in the package than needed

[@bloodmoongrizzlythefirst6492]

i know this is an old post but you can buy a Shop pack which is 10 to a pack I think if i remember right there was like 6-7 bulbs in there.

[@maxkowalczyk5772]

Trzeba było założyć LED SMD zamiast żarówek - efekt podświetlenia konsoli jest wówczas OK i trwałość podświetlenia wydłużona.

[@speedometerbulbs5137]

This cluster uses WAGNER bulbs... all chrysler group veihecles do, you can find them here - www.speedometerbulbs.com/collections/ford-gm-chrysler/products/chrysler-t5-black-socket

[@WarER4X]

That link is for the entire socket (looks like it comes with the bulb, but I'm not sure). You can get the bulbs by themselves (that can be put into the existing sockets) at just about any auto parts store (which are half the price of the bulb w/ the socket).

[@BlackroseGamer85]

I hate how dim the instruments in the Chrysler are, just bought LEDs to brighten her up!

[@LesCattin]

I would have been good it you would have explained how the top dash pad was attached and that you have to pop it towards the rear of the car to get it loose. I followed your video and broke off the two mounting clips just above the instrument panel and screwed up my dash top. Not happy....

[@WeekendHandymen]

Thats a bummer. I'm not a mechanic, just an average diy guy like yourself. This is the first time I did this job and it will likely be the last time. I have no clue how most of the dash is held together or in what order it was assembled at the factory, I just figure things out as I go.

[@dsegee88]

great work thanks it's going to help replace my lights. did anyone else noticed at 1:14 he disconnected the battery but at 5:20 the dash was showing door was open and the mileage and didnt reconnect till 7:50?

[@WeekendHandymen]

Do as i say, not as i do...

[@dsegee88]

WeekendHandymen I say that all the time when working on cars. I have forgot to disconnect a battery a few times

[@DeerParkAuto]

What a cluster f**k. Can definitely tell they are related to Jeep!!

[@WeekendHandymen]

+DeerParkAuto Because Chrysler

[@jamespevytoe3158]

I have a 2005 PT cruiser and I'm going to put all the internet out of a 2009 pt cruiser well it all fit in my car

[@everwharesismine]

Hi...I'm curious why you remove the negative side of the battery and not the positive side.... if you touch anything metal with the negative wire it will spark because the positive is allowed to go to ground.... why not remove the positive side so no power is in the circuit....?

[@WeekendHandymen]

+everwharesismine When you disconnect a battery, you should first disconnect the negative and then the positive. If you try and disconnect the positive first (whilst the negative is still connected) and your spanner accidentally touches a part of the bodywork, a direct short occurs (you will see sparks). This cannot happen when you disconnect the earth first, in this case if your spanner accidentally touches a part of the bodywork nothing will happen as body is negative and so is battery terminal i.e. there is no voltage between the two. When connecting a battery, you do it in reverse, connecting first the positive and then the negative (for the same reason as quoted above). Incidentally the above statements assume that the car is a negative earth vehicle. If it is a positive earth (rare these days) then exactly the opposite will apply.

[@everwharesismine]

+WeekendHandymen that is not true... the hot side is what will spark if touch to a ground... the ground is already grounded to the body of the vehicle.. like the neutral on your house current... its grounded.. the hotside... or L1.... on the house voltage is the power side....

[@everwharesismine]

+everwharesismine you should remove the hot.. the...ground is grounded...

[@everwharesismine]

+everwharesismine electrons move from pos to neg..... if the pos cable is disconnected... the electrons cant come out of the positive side of the battery... if the pos cable is still connected... the electrons can travel through the cable to seek ground any where the negative cable touches metal...(ground)....

[@WeekendHandymen]

+everwharesismine Your arguments are contradicting themselves. First you say the negative wire will "spark" if it touches anything metal (i.e. a ground), then you say the hot side (positive wire) wire will "spark" when it touches a ground. The true answer is that neither cable will "spark" after it is disconnected from the battery because the circuit is open (assuming the engine isn't running, charging the system); the only thing you need to worry about "sparking" is the wrench that you are using to disconnect the battery cables. If you were to use a wrench made of a material incapable of conducting electricity then it wouldn't matter which side you disconnect first.

[@karenmartin6405]

Do it in the day light man

[@WeekendHandymen]

When the job needs to get done, the job needs to get done!

[@raymondsolomon438]

I found that replacing these bulbs did not work well.

[@KeksDieb157]

Was sind das für Glühbirnen :(

[@Gears.and.Gadgets]

Thanks for the video. But what a pain in the azz.

[@USCG.Brennan]

George.....I just did it yesterday and it was FAR easier than I thought and pulling it and replacing it took me less than an hour using this video. ;-)

[@werksalot]

You should never touch the glass part of any bulb when installing them because the body oil from your skin shortens the life of the bulb . If you can afford them by the bulbs with the plastic sockets already installed , it's faster and you don't have to handle the glass part of the bulb .

Bullshit. True for HOT running halogen bulbs. NOT true for anything else. I've been a mech for almost 50 years, by the way.

[@bigdaddysshop8180]

Not on those type of bulbs... You can handle them or use latex gloves.

[@jakeman3755]

Hot light bulbs & oil from your fingers make for BAD companions. The oil will cause the bulb to heat up beyond the designed heat limits. Considering what a cluster f**k (pun intended) this job is, you wouldn't want to do it again in a few months. Avoid touching the glass bulb. Wear gloves, use a clean paper towel or rag. If you do have to touch the glass, clean it thoroughly.

[@bloodmoongrizzlythefirst6492]

Most of all With Halogen bulbs .. But then there is people like me that have replaced these with LED lights. I said i will never change these lights again. I'll burn the car to the ground first.

[@mapsama1]

You need light, the worst video I ever saw

[@donaldfinkler2490]

Would this be the same way for 06 pt cruiser

[@davidmcknight9000]

Im trying to find the speaker and or buzzer that makes that beeping noise when the seat belt,and the oil lite,and the keysvr left in ignition.ect.