Newbie question dashboard light

[2500wv]

I bought an 90 C2500 truck recently and I can't see what gear i am in at night. The guages are too dim, Even if i turn on the roof light i can't see what gear i am in. Where can i get a replacement light and how hard is the installtion? I can only do basic repairs so far. Thanks

[edman87]

The bulb can be had at any parts house, but the lens is most likely the problem. The lenses tend to dull up with age.
Best solution is to add a rearview mirror with map lights from another vehicle. The usually run $10 or so and came in many vehicles from early 90's up.

[edman87]

I am assuming it is an automatic since you said guages. Either way, you should know by feel which gear you are in.

[2500wv]

thanks for the reply. I just bought the truck and only drove it once, was/is looking to sell it. thats why i can't feel what gear i am in. Becuase i never drive it. but thought about restoring some of the easier problems. yes its an automatic.

[Andrij]

Had the same problem where the light that informs you of
PRND123
was out on a 1995 GM w/ 4L60E
Also wouldn't go into overdrive & speefo fidnt work.
Turned out to be the distributor.
Hopes that helps anyone else looking.

[68 TT]

On my 1990 truck it only had 2 functional gauge back lighting bulbs when I bought it and it was really tough to see the gauges and shift indicator. They are easy to change out and cheap.

194 bulb number in a 1/4-turn plastic housing that twists into the gauge cluster by hand. There are half a dozen of them plus the turn signals and some indicator lights this size.

I put a 161 bulb into the high beam indicator to lower the intensity since it was too bright for my liking with the 194 bulb in it. It messed with my night vision with that bright blue light. The lower wattage 161 bulb made a huge difference.

There are some smaller bulbs that are used in warning lamps but I forget the number. 172 I think but not positive.

You may be able to get them out with the cluster in the truck but I took mine out so I could clean the inside of the lens and polish the scratches out of the outside face of it. The bulbs were easy to swap out while it was on the bench being cleaned up.

If you want the gauges brighter after you get it together with the 194 bulbs and it isn't enough you can install a 168 bulb in their place.