Replacing Subaru Forester instrument dash lamps - Simple

[@spectraflash99]

This video saved me $200 that the dealer wanted to charge for replacing some instrument bulbs. I own a 2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5i. The dashboard configuration in the video is exactly the same as my car. I suck at working on cars and don't even change my own oil. But this was VERY easy and took about 20 minutes. I ordered the E74 bulbs online (all the bulbs are the same in this instrument panel). The bulbs were 60 cents each and I replaced them all. I read that the E74 bulbs fit in easier than the stock 74 size. They're a tiny bit smaller and are slightly easier to push into the sockets. Order the white bulbs, not the colored ones because the instrument gauges have their own colored film tinting and mixing colors might not look right. But for 60 cents a bulb, you could try the colored ones if you want a new look. I now have dash lights I never knew were there! Thank you, John, for saving me a lot of money! When I win the lottery, you're getting a new STi.

[@oldmtnfart]

it's amazing how the dealerships screw us blind.

[@MerkNasty]

Are they T1.25?

[@StoneKathryn]

Thanks so much for this video. I had to put the instrument panel surround back on a 2001 Subaru Forester and I decided that I'd change the instrument panel bulbs at the same time. One of the bulbs was clear and no silvering so it had been replaced. The other three were very silvered so they have bright new bulbs now! I hadn't taken the instrument panel surround off so this helped me put it back on! Thanks again!

[@mannkrafted2121]

This video saved my bacon. I've been running on my tachometer for a couple of weeks and had no idea that the fix was so easy and DIY. Cannot thank you enough for posting this.

[@flentmann]

Excellent and helpful video. My dashboard is lit brightly. Saved me money on labor and parts. Thanks a bunch.

[@clifffloyd9660]

This was very helpful...Simple and to the point. Thanks for taking the time to share this!!

[@3gypt1an]

Phillips 37 LLB2 bulbs did the trick for me. Lordco had them on the rack. Thank you for posting this!!

[@HEMi1995]

Very helpful. Been needing to replace the bulbs for my odometer/trip computer and outside temp lights for 2 years now. Finally gonna do it today

[@workapple69]

This was a very helpful video, my mechanic would not even work on replacing these lights. I found the larger bulbs for the 1999 Subaru right on the rack at Advanced Auto. Thanks John Gasch

[@mihai1184]

Thanks for this tutorial. Useful and without labor paying in auto service.

[@gorskijakub]

good shoots, good operator. Video looking like advertise in 80's-early 90's good effect

[@Ikkeroger]

This video saved me a lot of money today. I thank you.

[@DavidParker-cf2km]

Apparently the Forster is radically more simple than a 2001 Outback wagon. On the Outback, that trim around the instrument cluster is one piece that extends from left door to across the center console and it doesn't move after taking out the two upper screws. Now how to keep from breaking that dash trim that also covers the instrument cluster ... .

[@Barrenchats]

PERFECT timing thanks!!!

[@ianmorsch]

take the key out of the ignition, or close the door! that noise was horrible. how were you able to work with that irritation? thanks for the how to. it helped me greatly.

[@phillenihan1046]

Current Part Number Subaru 85066GA100

[@DrAskildsen]

Hehe yeah. I muted him and just read the subtitles.

[@MileHighMountainAdventures]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@aaronwoods6870]

This was EXACTLY what i needed! Thanks!!

[@benzone9939]

thank you for takimg your time to do this video. it helped me alot on my forester GT

[@sharong3052]

We ordered the JKL bulbs listed and they are too small and just fall out so we will try to find something else, the video on how to get to them was very helpful, might have to splurge on the subaru part. Still alot of savings to do it yourself.

[@mcmwamburi]

Thanks so much for this tutorial 👍

[@feminazislayer]

"While your at it just pill out the idiot light bulbs" lol

[@m3tatr0n]

Same, just the video I was searching for!

[@BallroomDancinFools]

This was very helpful, thank you. You might have indicated which tools you are using. It appears that a power screwdriver won't work but a short phillips head screwdriver is needed. Also, today I bought T 194 bulbs from NAPA, 4 for $3.02.

[@BallroomDancinFools]

The 2000 Legacy GT does not have a simple shroud covering the instrument panel, though I wish it did! It's all one piece, so the removal requires taking off most of the panels to get to the cluster.

[@JohnGasch]

Laurent Mullen If yours doesn't have the shroud, then you might have to do this "the hard way". Here is a how-to, but its very involved. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWGzZKSmotF1b6M

[@BenHollingsworthNE]

Do the idiot lights and back lights all use the same bulbs? How many of them are there, total?

[@jorgearchundia8010]

So helpful thanks guys help me save some money the I don’t have

[@Iaapwm]

Thanks and greatly appreciated....

[@paulthelen2505]

My 4 ways are flashing now and wont turn off??

[@mikebonham6343]

great video, I heard you say you found the replacement bulbs on line for a pack of 10. where did you get them from. and how much did they cost

[@alexgray7266]

What size bulbs are these?

[@workapple69]

Just a heads up these bulbs do not work in a 1999 Subaru Forester. The ones listed below. Still looking for right ones, any help would be appreciated.

[@tonyz.6943]

Would have been more helpful if you could have said what size bulb it was...

[@GoProVideoChannel]

Awesome! This Video helped me a lot!!

[@ep911300]

this video would be handy one day, but at the moment i am looking for a video on how to change the gear selector light

[@Yourtiorob]

+ep911300 did you ever find one? i have to change mine now

[@scottvincentyoung6965]

Excellent.

[@karlinschlafman7549]

Thank you so much man !!

[@JohnGasch]

Lights generally burn out one at a time. If they all went out at the same time, then I wouldn't suspect the lamps. That would either be a blown fuse or a bad potentiometer (the lamp brightness control knob.) Have you confirmed that the brightness knob isn't in the "off" position? If the lamps burned out one at a time over a period of months, then change the bulbs.

[@Mrsilversunpickups]

Would auto zone or an auto parts store carry these bulbs

[@ronhilborn5747]

great "how to" thanks, so simple even a cave man can do it

[@jlc7300]

Good Video! So the idiot lights just come out with a turn also? I have some out on my Subaru. thanks.

[@JohnGasch]

+jlc7300 - Yes. All instrument lamps will remove with a twist. The 'idiot-lights' are slightly smaller than the back-lights.

[@brianmartin7964]

re the idiot lights the same bulb size? do the 4 bulbs light the odometer / clock as well or is that another idiot light as well?

[@stevezee5171]

Thanks John, I need to do mine as there is NO lights working in the dash. The idiots all work and the odometer/outside temp but no dash lights. Is it unusual to have all 4 out?

[@nickybasson4280]

Hi mate, My 2003 Forester light in the watch in the dash in the middle under the storage unit isn’t working. Do you know how to replace it? Thanks

[@brianmorgan2744]

If you are talking about the clock light, the whole center storage bin comes right out by pulling up and towards you. There is the wire harness you have to disconnect and then the whole unit will be free. Then it's just a matter of twisting out the socket for the bulb and pulling the bad bulb and replacing it. Plug the harness back in and then the back of the bin goes in first...you will see two holes where tabs on the back of the bin go in, then the front just pops back in by pushing down on it. Let me know if that helped.

[@nickybasson4280]

Thanks mate, got it done. Appreciated

[@linguasedtorpet]

Will the JKL EWG103 lamps work for a 2003 Forester?

[@juancargts]

Do you know how to replace the transmission lever light? And if the same bulbs for the dashboard works in there?

[@oldmtnfart]

I saw another video showing how to remove all that plastic around the transmission shifter. not sure what the bulb looks like, but mine is out as well. Guess i'll give this a try.

[@JohnGasch]

That is why I posted this video. The others showing how to dismantle the entire dashboard were way off base. If your Subaru model and year are similar to mine, you should have no problem accessing the back of the instrument cluster without dismantling more than a few screws as shown.

[@big-t8814]

how many total bulbs just for the back lighting? I have to go do this at someone's house in the next few days. and wanna show up with enough bulbs

[@JohnGasch]

+big-T - I recall four bulbs, but there may be five. Better to have too many than not enough. Also take a dozen of the smaller bulbs to replace all of the idiot lights while you've got it apart. I believe the smaller bulbs are standard #74, and are available at local auto part stores, or at online sites.

[@big-t8814]

+John Gasch and the others I hear a 194 bulb fits? or what the generic number?

[@JohnGasch]

+big-T Where did you hear that? I would not trust that advice, unless someone here has tried it successfully. I think the #194 bulb would be too big. I still recommend either EWG103 or FWG103. Just use Google to search for those.

[@big-t8814]

+John Gasch Thnx.

[@billyaj2198]

John, How did the lights hold up? I see you did this video in 2012. I was just wondering if the bulbs were sufficent or if I should go with OEM parts. Thanks

[@JohnGasch]

Mine are all still good. I keep them at about 1/2 brightness. If you run them at full brightness all the time, then I suspect they may burn out in a year or two. But, as the video shows, they're easy to replace. Just buy some spares.

[@JohnGasch]

@Mike Bonham - www.interlight.biz/light-bulb/JKL-EWG103. Cost $10.80 for 10 lamps + $9.95 shipping.

[@Emolokz]

These are the idiot lights, right?

[@CH00K513]

What do you mean by idiot lights?

[@speedometerbulbs5137]

This subaru speedometer uses TOSHIBA V-2 sockets / bulbs... if anybody needs check out - www.speedometerbulbs.com/collections/toshiba

[@robertgraydon4195]

How bout killing the beeping sound before you record any video

[@Pccpy]

idiot lights = temp light, battery light, maintenance light, check engine light, oil pressure, srs, abs, tire pressure, etc.....