How to Repair the Dashboard Lights on a Taurus
Repairing the dashboard lights on your Ford Taurus can mean one of two things: replacing any burned out bulbs or replacing a blown out fuse. Both are problems that have very simple solutions. Before beginning the procedure, you must disconnect the battery in your Taurus to avoid accidental deployment of the airbag. The Taurus uses 161-type bulbs for the dash lights and a 5-amp fuse for the cluster light fuse.
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Things You'll Need
- Socket wrench
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Flat head screwdriver
- 161-type bulb
- 5A fuse
Instructions
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1
Prop open the hood of your Taurus to access the engine compartment.
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2
Remove the cover from the underhood fuse box on the driver's side of the engine compartment. Locate the fuse numbered "11." This is the cluster light fuse. If the metal rod inside of the fuse is broken in several pieces, it needs to be replaced.
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3
Pull the fuse out of the fuse box. Install a new 5A fuse in its place and replace the cover onto the fuse box. If the dash lights on your Taurus are still malfunctioning, the issue is with the bulbs which will have to be replaced. Use a socket wrench to disconnect the Taurus' battery by removing the negative terminal. Allow 10 minutes to pass before continuing.
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4
Remove the upper and lower steering column covers by popping them out with a flat head screwdriver. Remove the radio by inserting a screwdriver into the four holes on the dash above the radio. Pull the radio out of the dashboard. This will reveal the four dashboard securing bolts.
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5
Unscrew the four bolts with a socket wrench. Now you can remove the dashboard by working your way around the edges and carefully prying it off the Taurus.
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6
Disconnect the Taurus' instrument panel from the vehicle and pull it out of the car. At this point you can simply pull out any malfunctioning bulbs and install new bulbs. Reassemble the instrument panel, dashboard and radio.
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7
Reconnect the Taurus' battery and close the hood.
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