Instrument Illumination

[Guest nelse]

I've had my galaxy for a little while and i know it sounds strange but drove it at night for the first time the other day, It was noticable the speedo and rev counter needles were not illuminated, i'm sure they should be because they are almost impossible to see unless the dimmer is turned right down, they appear to be the same construction as the temp and fuel guage needles which are lit really well. From what i can tell all the instrumentation lights are on one fuse, So am i looking at having to get the clocks out to replace both bulbs or are these two lights on a different fuse for some reason, or is it just they are not meant to be illuminated, which i admit would seem strange.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

They should be illuminated, and all dash lights are on the same circuit (they dim toigether) so it would appear that you've got a bulb problem.

[Guest nelse]

cheers, I thought that was the case, just hoped i wouldn't need to remove the instrument panel.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Not had to remove the instrument cluster on my Galaxy, but IIRC from what I've read on other postings, it is not difficult. Do you have pre- or post-facelift model?

[Guest nimrod]

On the MK1's its a case of removing four screws to remove the clocks but on the MK2 its a bit more involved, IIRC the steering wheel has to be removed in order to get at the steering column fixing screws which has to come off to gain access to the clocks lower fixing screws

[Guest nelse]

it's a 53 plated model, had a quick look and no obvious screws, but from whats been said turning the steering wheel to different orientations may allows access to the the screws that holds the cowling around the steering column in place, hopefully removing this will allow access to further fixings. Unfortunately i don't have any technical manuals, something i'm going to have to sort out before playing around, experience says it pays to have some idea what you're doing before you start.

[Mussey1]

If its a 53 plate you should be able to get the bulbs replaced under warranty.

 

Mussey1.

[Dally]

but from whats been said turning the steering wheel to different orientations may allows access to the the screws that holds the cowling around the steering column in place, hopefully removing this will allow access to further fixings.

Nelse

 

I spent last saturday trying to take of the lower cowling despite removing all the screws behind the steering wheel - it would not come off.

I do think that the steering wheel needs to come of to do this - unless anyone else can advise otherwise.

[Guest nimrod]

From looking at the diagrams, theres two screws behind the steering wheel, another one under where the column adjuster lever is and two more on the underside of the steering column, these two hold on the top half of the colum cover, they do say to remove the steering wheel but I cant see why if you can gain access to the screws behind it by turning the wheel round till they appear!

[Dally]

You can get access to the screws, but it looks like there is a recess around the screw holes and there aint enough space to lift the cowling out of this recess because the wheel is in the way. Slackening the wheel to give 3 or 4 mm clearance may do the trick but I gave up and got my ignition live from the head unit.

[Guest nelse]

Cheers everyone. Havn't yet tried to get the cowling off, but removing the steering wheel seems a little over the top just to get the clocks out, years ago wouldn't have been a problem but with air bags fitted not sure i want to be messing with it. I'll have to have a look when i find some time, had a previous car with which removing the wheel was recommended to get cowling around the column off, found it could be removed by extending the column to it's full length and adjusted to it's lowest position. Not sure if that will work because of whats been said by those that have already tried. Maybe time to phone a Ford dealership and talk about the warrenty cover for this, seems a bit petty for a couple of bulbs but if it's going to be a hassle to do myself i'll give it a try.