went to drive to the store and dash/guage panel was dark pretty sure the bulbs just burned out checked fuse box none where burned/blown... anyone ever had to replace them? if so how much of the dash am i lookin at pulling out to get to those damn bulbs and or would i have to buy new guage cluster ie can i just replace the bulbs?

 

That frequently happens, my WJ doesn't have any lights right now on the climate controls or half of the gauges... the instrument cluster unscrews via 2 screws at the top. You should be able to unplug the cluster and buy the correct replacement bulbs (even of a different color if you'd like) and replace them just like Christmas string light bulbs... no need to search out a new cluster.

 

Word of warning. I decided to replace my dash bulbs with green LEDs. My red needles turned very dark brown and the red numbers disappeared! Stick with soft white.

 

The older ZJ's (pre-'96) used green to illuminate the gauges, and yellowish-white to illuminate the trip and regular odometers. Starting in '96 and up until 2014 Jeep continued to use its typical green illumination for everything.

I prefer the soft blue they started with in 2014 WK2 because it's soothing and not as "intense" as the "In-Your-Face" green that's in my 2002 WJ. My 2014 WK2 has much better lighting.

 

On my WJ, all the gauges are lit by white bulbs and the gauge faces supply the color. As I said, when I used green bulbs to light them, the red plastic needles just about disappeared. You've got to remember your science here. Red plastic is red because it only passes red light. That's why green light can't get thru. LEDs supply only one wavelength of light basically. The 02-04 WJs used a electroluminesant background that shows white in daylight.

 

I have been looking for the blubs for my gauge cluster. Just want to do the bulbs. No need for any LED or stuff. There is 11 of them. Would these be it or does someone else have a better option or place to get them? https://www.quadratec.com/products/97000_507.htm

 

I don't want to state the obvious, but did you check the dash dimmer switch? All the way down they go out. The last click and the interior lights stay out as well.

 

I definitely checked that. The radio and other lights dim. But I replaced them all last night. Worked perfect. Shut the Jeep off. Then my dad came over to see them. Turn the Jeep back on and everything worked again BUT the Speedo and Gas Gauge. Which were the ones that were not working before. Is there a fuse for those ones or is it a connection? Weird that it would work perfect, shut the car off. Then turn back on and does not work then. Any ideas?

 

It might be a bad connection on the gauge cluster harness plug on the back of the unit. I got so mad at my radio not working right I lost it and smashed my fist down on top of the dash! Ta Dah! It's worked fine ever since!

 

I also have been this lucky in the past with other vehicles. Unfortunately, not in my ZJ. I hae discovered my issue is with bad connections in the dimmer/headlight switch. I have replaced the switch twice, re-soldered the connections, and still have this issue. Mine sometimes flicker and flash, which is very annoying.