How do you replace the dash light bulb in a 2001 Ford Escape?

Answer 1

The whole instrument assembly comes out.

1. Remove two 7mm hex screws on display panel cover (top, underneith)

2. Pull the bottom part of display cover straight toward you. There are 2 clips, one on either side of the steering wheel behind the display gauge cover that holds in the bottom half. These will snap free with a little force. Do one side at a time.

3. Remove and set aside. This reveals the four display unit screws.

4. Remove the four 7mm screws on the actual display panel. (fyi: all screws in this project are the same headsize, threadsize, and length - so don't worry about making note of which ones return where)

4. Tilt top of display panel toward you and remove the three top connectors (they come out easily and are in a cable harness so you can't put them back wrong) You will need to squeeze the middle gently, unlocking connector and pull)

5. Pull out display - which includes "glass" covering - this never gets removed! (adjust steering wheel to lowest position if needed)

6. On the rear of the panel you will see several (little grey) knobs. Find the one right behind the dark device and using a pliers, twist counter clockwise 1/4 turn and remove. The little light bulb pulls out of the little twisty thing with your fingers. Ford had the bulbs - the parts guy gave me one. I have heard people charged up to $8. Don't lose the little twist-in thing, I don't think Ford sells them individually. You will have to call every dealer in town and ask if they have cannibalized one from a returned instrument cluster.

7. Replace bulb assembly by inserting the new bulb and turning the twisty thing clockwise 1/4 turn.

8. Assemble following reverse instruction of above.

* This all sounds a lot more complex than it actually is. These steps each only take a minute or so. The most difficult part for me was pulling out the display assembly cover. Took me a few minutes to figure out where the clips were on either side of the base of the display cover and what pressure was needed to pull them free. It does take a little effort (pulling straight toward you) at the base of the display cover to pull free

All in all this took me about 15 minutes to remove and about 10 minutes to replace, but I had to find socket size, snap locations of cover, etc etc....

Please feel free to cut and paste this article to any other boards with the same question. I hate to see people getting "ripped off" for a simple 4 dollar job anyone can do.