ok all i did wasand and i still havent been able to find anyone that says other wise. I have boughten all the 194 leds i need for my gauge cluster and when i took mine out the bulbs are soldered in the socket, is there anyway to break the solder and put the leds in them? or do i need to buy new sockets that have no bulb in them at all, and if so i went to napa and asked for sockets and the guy said that you cant put new bulbs in the sockets. he said it was "impossible" and apparently "no one on There knows what they are talking about". exact words, so now that i have it all apart i thought i would ask? is it possible to remove the bulbs and replace them or do i need to buy new sockets and from where.

 

I used to have a bag of those sockets, junk yard or place an ad I am sure someone has a few lying around. All the ones I have ever seen or owned, the bulbs just pull out.

 

Me too.

JamesC

 

Same here, any possiblities in getting a soldering tool in there to at least loosen the solder and just pull it out one lead at a time???

 

I was able to acquire some of those sockets at NAPA quite a while back. The whole assembly (light and socket) is part # PC194 and the bulb is soldered in the socket. I have since found other sockets at the local junkyard and stuffed them in my pocket.

 

If you're going to pull the cluster, you might as well take a look at the following link (I'd be surprised if your trip odometer was still working):

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/faq-...-fix-pics.html

JamesC

 

I found the same situation on my '93 Chevy G20 after buying the replacement 194s. Took em back to Advance Auto and the guy said he couldn't get the "entire asm". He said that after cutting his thumb on the glass frags years before, he just bent the replacement bulb wires over the outside edges of the "entire asm" socket to complete the circuit. I've done this just now on the bench but haven't tried to see if it will burn yet.

 

http://www.superbrightleds.com/instrument.html

 

How do you like the LED's......are they worth it? I'd like to replace all of my lights.

 

just do a WTB gauge bulb sockets in the want to buy section

i also think i have seen some at one of the auto parts stores

 

I have the same problem...I bought all the replacement bulbs at the zone ($25) and found that the origionals are soldered into the sockets. What a pain this is going to be! I tried NAPA but no luck

 

oh yea i should of mentioned 90 and above had sodered in gauge lights sorry i should of read my own post

but you can use the old replacable bulb style, i did that to my satty when a few blew out

 

They have them at most parts stores, check the "Help" section, or maybe it was in the electrical section. Somewhere on here, I posted the brand/part # I had bought, but that was a few years ago.

Ask the guy at the counter for "194 base" or "194 Socket" for GM dash's

 

I just got it done....it took about an hour and a half to pick them apart and replace...but they work! I didn't bother with the turn signal cause they just didn't want to come out...oh well

 

I am planning on replacing mine soon. But I was hoping to order them in advance online. Anyone know how many 194s are in the entire cluster? I have the 140MPH/8k cluster, if that makes a difference. Thanks

 

can't remember which ones are the 194's....but if they're the bigger ones, I would get at least 10 - 12 of them....that way you have more if you need 'em and you wont have to pay shipping again.

 

i just replaced my 91's with superbrightleds and there was no soldering whatsoever... everything just twisted out... couldn't have been easier!!!

 

http://www.macewenmotorsports.com/howmabudoine.html

JamesC

 

There are two types of lights that are the same size and fit. I believe #168 is for interior, and #194 is for the exterior of the car(ex. parking lights, side markers, etc....). And it IS important to get the right one, because one of the lights heats up much more then the other!!!.........I could be wrong but, #194 should be the hotter light! And you could run the risk of melting your gauge cluster/panel.

 

I have a question. I'm new here so gentle ok. I replaced all my bulbs cuz most were burnt out. I havean 86' with a 305 and a 145mph speedo. My issue is that my dumbass removed all the old bulbs at once instead of replacing one at a time. Now my turn signal lights saty on and other just don't light. Or light up when starting the car than turn off. How on earth ca I tell what order to put them back in place so the right ones go into the right socket? Thanks for any help.

 

Like I said, all dash/gauge lights should be 168's. If a smaller light was needed, then it would also have a smaller socket!