Fix Shifter Lighting

[1987Vader]

Weird...but true. My GN's console light is messed up. It does not properly indicate what gear I am in when the lights are on. Meaning...when in park the console lights up but not the "P". When shifted into drive the "D" is not lighted...but other parts are. So I need to figure out what is up.

How do I take off the console panel? When I remove the ash tray, I noticed two screws that seem to hold down the panel. Where are the others? Is the panel held on by clips or are there more hidden screws? Thanks for your help!

 

[bmackinnon]

Im pretty sure we don't have lighting to INDICATE gear selection... Just backlighting in the PRND321 panel.... or am I crazy

 

[gunslinger]

Remove the two screws in the ashtray, and lift up the back of the panel. The front is held in by a tongue and groove type arrangement. You'll have to shift into low, and the shifter handle will need to come off to completely remove the panel.

 

[1987Vader]

I do not know. I do know that when I shift something is moving around to block out certain numbers/letters. I just assumed that it was messed up and not in sync. From what you say, maybe I have another problem inside the PRND321 panel.

 

[1987Vader]

Remove the two screws in the ashtray, and lift up the back of the panel. The front is held in by a tongue and groove type arrangement. You'll have to shift into low, and the shifter handle will need to come off to completely remove the panel.

Thanks! Just did not want to crack anything!

 

[gunslinger]

Im pretty sure we don't have lighting to INDICATE gear selection... Just backlighting in the PRND321 panel.... or am I crazy

There should be a piece of plastic with a window cut into it that moves with the shifter and lights up the gear indicator.

 

[1987Vader]

There should be a piece of plastic with a window cut into it that moves with the shifter and lights up the gear indicator.

Thanks! That's what I thought. Somehow mine must be all out of alignment.

 

[rev. 3:11]

A standard dash bulb goes into the housing.
It the part that moves & is part of the corrugated plastic cover the shifter comes out of.
To replace:
Remove shifter handle
remove the top plate: 2 phillips screws under ashtray& tip up & back
remove two 1/4" (?) screws on the left side that hold the gear indicator window plate on (you'll see several square cut-outs on the plate)
remove the corrugated plastic slide from the shifter
(skinny part in front wide part to the rear; shift into D to help get it off, probably a good time to clean all the junk that seems to accumulate in it & Armor-All /WD-40/Black Magic it)
the bulb holder is on the left hand side just twist to remove old bulb & replace
Can't remember bulb part #
HTH

D

 

["Turbo-T"]

Yes there is a light inside of there. On mine the bulb fell down so it would light up in P but not in the other gears.

Something I've always wondered...isn't this light supposed to be connected on a 12VDC source only in run? Would make more sense as opposed to being on the lamp circuit and only being hot when the lamps were on like mine was.

 

[1987Vader]

A standard dash bulb goes into the housing.
It the part that moves & is part of the corrugated plastic cover the shifter comes out of.
To replace:
Remove shifter handle
remove the top plate: 2 phillips screws under ashtray& tip up & back
remove two 1/4" (?) screws on the left side that hold the gear indicator window plate on (you'll see several square cut-outs on the plate)
remove the corrugated plastic slide from the shifter
(skinny part in front wide part to the rear; shift into D to help get it off, probably a good time to clean all the junk that seems to accumulate in it & Armor-All /WD-40/Black Magic it)
the bulb holder is on the left hand side just twist to remove old bulb & replace
Can't remember bulb part #
HTH

D

Awesome explanation of what to do. Ready for the stupidest question ever? HOW DO I GET THE SHIFTER HANDLE OFF? Does it just twist? Is there a pin? :redface:

 

[bmackinnon]

There's a horseshoe shaped clip that slides into a slot in handle near the bottom ... look closely, and you'll see it... pull it out and the shifter will lift right off..:wink:

 

[1987Vader]

Great! Oh...and thanks for not laughing too hard.