'91 Gauge Cluster Lamps

[ehjorten]

Saw the other thread about gauge cluster lamps and it reminded me that I wanted to ask you all about my issue.  So, on my 1991 Crew Cab I have a couple of lamps that are burnt out.  I also went to the recycling yard a while back and when I was there I picked-up the fiber-optic ashtray setup to put in my truck.  One thing that I found out is that my bulb holders are not like all of the others and not like my '77 truck.  The bulb holders are smaller in diameter and the bulbs are actually soldered to the contacts on the bulb holders.  The more standard larger bulb holders will not fit into my '91 cluster housing.  Also the fiber-optic holder would not fit because it too was larger in diameter.

Does anyone know the years that GM did this?  From memory the vehicle that I got the fiber-optic out of was an '89 Suburban, so it is within the last 4 years of the Crew Cab, Suburban, Van, Cab Chassis hold-over.

I'm thinking I might have to go buy a cheap solder sucker and bust out the soldering iron to replace my dash lamps!

[pholliday1]

Yikes..? not sure my 90 is the standard bulb setup. Could have something to do with vss and having 480le maybe? Hows the garage coming?

[zieg85]

I'll take a look at the cluster I removed from my 91 Suburban, I just put it with the rest and didn't pay attention to it...

[ehjorten]

Garage is coming along as fast a one-man construction crew can go after work and on weekends, when it isn't pouring down rain! LOL

We were gone on a 10-day driving vacation to Southern California and back with the kids.  Now that I'm back on the case and the weather has improved around here (Puget Sound area) I've been pounding nails!  I got the short rake-wall finished yesterday.  Need to sheath it and stand it up.  Then I need to build the BIG rake, end wall.  That has some 6x6 and 4x6 PSL beams in it.  Building Rake walls is a pain!  Every stud is a different length and cut at an angle.  Plus you have to check the crown and cut it the right way.  Top plates are even more fun because you have to check the crown and the cup on the wood and then cut it the right way!  Then it is truss time!!

I need to play and win the lottery and just pay someone to do it for me!   At least I know how to do it and know what I want and am putting blood, sweat and tears into building it I guess.

Yikes..? not sure my 90 is the standard bulb setup. Could have something to do with vss and having 480le maybe? Hows the garage coming?

[pholliday1]

Do you think that cluster has something to do with the 480LE?

[ehjorten]

I doubt it.  I don't see any reason that the 168 or 194 bulbs or whatever had to be in a small base and the leads soldered.  The size difference isn't that noticeable, but they definitely don't interchange.  Plus...the cluster doesn't have anything to do with the 4L80e.  The ECU behind the glovebox and the DRAC behind the lower dash, by the ashtray are the only real components besides the wiring harness.

[pholliday1]

Copy

[zieg85]

I can verify that 1989-1991 with the VSS speedometer shares the smaller PC 168 and PC 194 bulbs (that states "replace entire asm") in the cluster as I have both.  If you can't find new and want some let me know.  I can check what I have with an ohm meter and send you some.

[ehjorten]

Right-on Zieg.  Yeah...they do say, replace entire assembly! LOL  I haven't tried to actually go to the Chevy dealer, but I would be surprised if they could still get those.

[bluecrew]

....lurking and watching.  My 91 Crewcab has some burnt out dash lights also.  Curious to see what I need to fix it. 

...Yeah, I'm stalking.  Everybody has something they're good at.   

[pholliday1]

LOL

[ehjorten]

Lookie what I found last night at the auto parts store:

Apparently they do sell 168 bulbs with the carrier!  They are called PC168 bulbs.  I am not a big fan of Eiko lamps, but it was what they had.  I looked online and AC Delco does have PC168 bulbs; so that would be my choice.  They also look identical to the stock ones.  The PC168 bulbs are actually about the same price as the regular 168 bulbs; about $2.25 a bulb, which actually sounds rather expensive for what it is.

Here is what I did with one of my stock ones if your local parts store doesn't have the PC168 bulbs:

1) First remove the old burnt-out bulb from your socket.  You may need to clip the leads that are soldered to the metal part of the socket.  Take the new 168 bulb and un-bend the leads.


2) Insert the 168 bulb into the socket with the leads sticking out the back.


3) Bend the leads over to make contact with the metal part of the socket and solder in place!


Here is a comparison of one of the bulbs in the bubble-pack and my stock one...in-process:


One thing to say about the Eiko replacement PC168 bulbs that I got...the back of them is closed, so you can't see the contacts...that actually isn't a problem for future replacement, because...the bulb is a regular 168 bulb and it just pulls out and you can replace it without having to get the hole PC168 bulb and socket again!!

[bluecrew]

good intel! thanks.