How do you change the bulb behind the heater control panel on a 1970 Mustang?

Answer 1

THIS DESCRIPTION IS FOR A 1970 MACH 1 WITH NO AIR CONDITIONING: There is a single globe that is located dead center on the back of the control panel and it is not easy to get to (impossible for most) by simply reaching from the underneath back side. In all reality - you must remove the heater-radio bezel and then remove the radio too. This will provide access through this radio opening to reach through and down to the back of the control panel housing. Slide both cable levers to full right otherwise their levers will be right on top of the bulb. The bulb is in a "wiggle & pull" globe holder and the wire from it has just a little slack before a wire clip anchors it down. This job definitely requires a mirror to be able to view this arrangement down through the radio opening before trying to actually remove the bulb holder to replace the bulb. The bulb holder holds the bulb inside a blue transparent housing that gives a blue hue to its night display. Replace it with the best quality clear bulb you can, perhaps even one of the new and brighter LED design bulbs.

If for some reason you are going to remove the entire heater control panel & housing, you'll need to reach in through the radio opening and slip both cable looped ends off the control lever end posts as well as disconnecting the wire connector for the fan switch. This connector is just a pull out connector with no hooks, but it can require a lot of force to dislodge it. The bulb holder (mentioned above) will also have to be removed because it's wire is anchored to the instrument panel frame and not the heater control panel itself.

Good luck and have some band aids on hand for your skinned knuckles when you're done!

P.S. - Its still worth it in the end to just have one of these impressive and highly sought after 1970 Mustangs ...probably one of the most desired years of all Mustangs produced. - a fellow "MuscleStanger -