How do you replace a dashboard light bulb in a 2003 Subaru Legacy?

Answer 1

Generally speaking, you have to remove various dashboard panels in order to gain access to the bulb(s) that need to be replaced. Which panels, and how to remove them, depend on which specific lamp has failed. Dashboards have dozens of lamps in them -- some for illumination (so you can see a gauge or label at night), some as indicators ("on", "fasten seatbelts", etc.).

For example, in my 2001 Forrester, the illumination lamps in the HVAC (heat/vent/air conditioning) console failed. During the day, this did not matter, but at night, I had to feel for the knobs to tell what they were set at. I discovered that the HVAC console was illuminated by two lamps (distributed across the entire HVAC console face by a series of clear plastic light pipes). Replacing the lamps themselves is a simple matter of pulling the bulbs from the lamp-holder sockets, and inserting new ones. However, to gain access to the lamp-holder sockets, I had to:

1. Remove emergency brake cover by removing two screw caps, two screws, and pulling. This unlocks the gearshift cover.
2. Remove gearshift cover by unscrewing gearshift knob, then pulling. This unlocks the bottom of the center dashboard cover
3. Remove center dashboard cover by pulling.
4. Disconnect two power connectors from center dashboard cover.
5. Remove left lower dashboard cover by removing one snap, two screws, and pulling.
6. Disconnect wiring for two switches and OBD-II diagnostic socket from left lower dashboard cover, by pushing plastic tabs. (Can't do this before because they're covered. Have to do it after, otherwise dashboard cover dangles)
7. Disconnect vent selector control cable, using pliers to pop it off pin. (Exposed by removing left lower dash cover.) This is needed to free the HVAC console later.
8. Remove right lower dashboard cover and glove compartment by removing one snap, six screws, and pulling.
9. Disconnect hot/cold and fresh/recirc control cables. (Exposed by removing right lower dash cover). This is needed to free the HVAC console later.
10. Remove radio bracket (with radio still in it) by removing four screws and lifting out.
11. Disconnect wiring from radio by pushing plastic tab.
12. Reach through hole left by radio bracket, and disconnect three wiring connectors from back of HVAC console. (Not enough slack in HVAC console wiring to pull console first. There is slack in radio wiring to remove radio.)
13. Remove four screws from HVAC console.
14. Remove HVAC console from dashboard.

Re-installation is basically just reverse of removal.

As you can see, this task is made much harder by all the steps you have to do to gain access to the bulbs. None of it is actually all that hard as far as techniques go -- it is mostly just screws and snaps. The trick is knowing which screws and covers to remove, and in what order. I bought a Service Manual for my Forester to make it easier for me.

The only reason I even bothered replacing the lamps was that I had to tear the dashboard apart for something else anyway. (The HVAC blower switch failed.)

*** For the Legacy/outback go to: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/99-do-yourself-illustrated-guides/18175-replacing-lights-instrumet-cluster.html