How to replace the dashboard bulbs in a Subaru

[A Person]

2000 Subaru Legacy

For some reason the dashboard lights, over a period of about 2 years, have burnt out. Starting from left to right, so that come the winter when most of my driving is in the dark, all I can see is that the temperature is exactly where it has been for the last 8 years. Speed, fuel etc, not a clue. It was getting to be a bit inconvenient to shine a flashlight on the speedo so it was time to rip the dashboard assembly apart.

When they build a car the speedo cluster is installed first, then various bits of trim get installed on top. You have to work your way back in in the reverse order of installation. The other thing is that these days most of the panels snap in, but every now and again they put a screw in just to fool you. You will need a suitable lever, I used a small carving chisel that I carefully polished so that there were no sharp edges. Screwdrivers tend to leave marks

The first bit to remove is the gear shifter surround.

This pops off at the back first and then slides back.

Next comes the radio surround. There are two secret screws that secure the ash tray support, remove the ash tray and with a stubby ratchet right-angled screwdriver remove the two screws.

The radio surround now pops off with careful leverage

The switch panel on the left just pops out.

Now you can access the four screws that secure the Speedo cluster surround and pop out the snaps that secure it.
When this is off you can easily access the five screw that secure the speedo cluster.

Remove the wiring plugs from the top of the cluster and the whole unit lifts out. Everything is electronic so the challenge of removing the speedo cable is a thing of the past.
Replace the bulbs

I recommend buying LED bulbs

All that is left is to reverse the process and put it all back together. It took about 3/4 hour, start to finish, which was a lot better than I was anticipating - half as long as it took me on my Mazda.

[Liv]

Great write up.... I've done that once before... No White Face Guage cluster while you're in there?

[Rudy2828]

This applies to the odometer as well? It took over seven years for my first bulb to go out. Lucky?

The timing of your article could not have been better! Thanks so much.

[A Person]

There were four general illumination bulbs that cover the general area of fuel gauge, speedo, tach and temp gauge. On my car (2000 Legacy) the odometer is an LCD with it's own backlight. Once you have the instrument cluster out all of the bulbs are accessible. The general illumination bulbs have a T10 base, type 194. The warning lights have a T4 base type 74 (I think), I didn't look at the odometer - sorry.

Seven years is about my experience too. The first one went about 18 months ago and the others followed at about 6 month intervals. Once you have it dismantled you can replace all the bulbs for under $10, $20 if you use LEDs. I like the LEDs, you never have to replace them. My new Legacy is all LED

The timing of your article could not have been better! Thanks so much.

You're welcome. If I'd known how easy it was I would have done it a year ago. Getting to the back of the instrument cluster in some cars is a days work!

[Guest]

Appreciate o the highest for sharing. I was ready to go to the Subaru Dealer to get the bulbs replaced.
You can imaging the labor cost, not cheap.

I've been driving with the gas and temperture gauge lights out for about 4 months this was getting old, It was time for me to replaced them fast.

Your instructions and snap shots were perfect.
Thanks so much

[A Person]

You're welcome. I should have qualified the post by saying it's a 2000 legacy. I'll edit it.


I just did the same job on an '04 Forester and it's much easier.
You only need to remove the instrument cluster bezel - two screws on top

and then it snaps out.

You can then remove the three screws that hold the actual cluster.

and there's just enough room to turn it round and remove the bulb holders without unplugging the cluster.

10 minutes max.

My '09 Legacy looks the same as the Forester, but since it has LED lighting I doubt I will ever need to find out.

[DanR]

I recommend using LED bulbs

First, thanks for the write up. I was wrestling with this today on a 2004 Outback wagon and could not figure out why I could not get the radio surround off. I bet it was the two hidden screws you mentioned. I will have to try it again, but will order bulbs first.

Can you tell me more about using LEDs? My 2004 has incandescent bulbs. Did you originally have incandescent and swap in LEDs?

Thanks again,
Dan

[A Person]

Can you tell me more about using LEDs? My 2004 has incandescent bulbs. Did you originally have incandescent and swap in LEDs?

Yes, the 2000 Legacy had incandescent bulbs (my 2009 Legacy is all LED). You can buy aftermarket LED bulbs that fit in the same sockets, but it can be a bit hit and miss since the LED bulbs may not illuminate as well. Incandescent bulbs shine in all directions - and a dashboard usually collects the light from the sides in plastic light tubes to illuminate in other areas. LEDs are directional - those I linked to at Virtual village turned out not to be useful as all the light went forward. I bought some from a local auto parts store that had several LEDs round the sides that did a much better job.

[nsfilms]

You're a lifesaver! Just followed the steps & it worked like a champ. I can see how fast I'm going at night now!

[Sherriw55]

Does the great discription given include the dashboard cubby lights?

[A Person]

No it doesn't.

I haven't done that job - however I know it's quite straightforward to remove the glovebox tray

You have to snap out the two pivots (A) and then lift out the tray - you can then probably see and get at the bulb. If not you may have to remove the 6 screws and 2 bolts that fasten the compartment in place.

[chuck]

If you find that your fan switch is not working in like the 3rd and 4th speed, etc. you need to
replace the electronic module right behind the glove box and down somewhat. The glovebox needs to be removed to do the job. The part from Subaru was about $40.00. Dealer quotes (and no "how to" info) were $150. and up. The part is a small
squarish module about 2" square. It simply plugs/unplugs and is readily apparent with the glovebox removed.. Maybe someone can remember exactly what its called. Im doing my dash lights now, and no doubt some of you will have the fan switch problem eventually. Mine is a 2001 Outback I bought brand new. 280K in 2012.

[A Person]

It's item B86 on the wiring diagram and it's called the 'Blower motor resistor'

blower fan resistor2.gif (10.58 KiB) Viewed 11165 times

[Liv]

86?

SEE!!!!

[chuck]

Nice Job on the above part number and description. I just finished the dash light job. The overwhelming most difficult part was the two "hidden screws". They are located here: If the screws suddenly lost their grip, they would fall directly into the ashtray.
When installed they point straight up. They can be seen after the ashtray is removed. I was unable to see them until I put my head on the driver's seat upside down about where your left rear pants pocket is when you are sitting in the driver's seat. Only then can you (barely) see the phillips heads. I was unable to see or locate them with my head up close next to the shifter. Until these screws are removed, you will not be able to remove the wood grain plastic radio/stereo surround. And you will have to use a flashlight.

Another side note, the green (3) wiring plugs in the back of the instrument cluster are removable by pressing in the tab in the center of each plug. The release tab is also green like the rest of the plug, and thus blends in. Your thumbnail should be able to press it slightly releasing the wiring plug.