DennisT
I'm Awesome
Pulled gauge cluster from my new-to-me 1996 K1500. I could tell some lamps were burned out and with 280K on the clock, who knows if anything was ever replaced. Owner's glove box manual lists bulbs used in my truck. Came away with the idea that 194 was the small bulb size needed for the gauge cluster. Ha. Pulled the cluster and found 5 or so that are 194's, rest the sub-miniature size. That was not mentioned in the manual. Apparently GM figured I wasn't supposed to do bulb service on the cluster, and never mentioned those little bulbs. So it appears those small bulbs are either 161's or 74's. I've ordered both. Anyone know which is right????
Next, a tip I read elsewhere for removing those tiny bulbs from the holders. I first used electrical tape, but last night succeeded by using blue painter's masking tape as well. I cut maybe 3 inches off the roll, then split/cut a narrower strip from it. Maybe 3/8" wide. I stick one end on the bulb's glass envelope, and the other end on the opposite side of the glass envelope. Leaves a couple inches of slack, "loop," which I want. (Of course that loop will stick on itself if not kept apart). Now I can put my middle finger through the loop, index finger on one side of the tape covered bulb, thumb on the other side. Gives me a three-point, "pull," grip system. Many of those sub-miniatures are really stuck in there. On rare applications, I think a few are also soldered. This method of bulb removal has yet to fail me. I used to grip those bulbs as tight as I could, with no success. All the while wondering if the glass ever broke it would be guaranteed cuts to fingers. My thanks to the anonymous person for the tip to pull them.
Next, a tip I read elsewhere for removing those tiny bulbs from the holders. I first used electrical tape, but last night succeeded by using blue painter's masking tape as well. I cut maybe 3 inches off the roll, then split/cut a narrower strip from it. Maybe 3/8" wide. I stick one end on the bulb's glass envelope, and the other end on the opposite side of the glass envelope. Leaves a couple inches of slack, "loop," which I want. (Of course that loop will stick on itself if not kept apart). Now I can put my middle finger through the loop, index finger on one side of the tape covered bulb, thumb on the other side. Gives me a three-point, "pull," grip system. Many of those sub-miniatures are really stuck in there. On rare applications, I think a few are also soldered. This method of bulb removal has yet to fail me. I used to grip those bulbs as tight as I could, with no success. All the while wondering if the glass ever broke it would be guaranteed cuts to fingers. My thanks to the anonymous person for the tip to pull them.