Electrical Question on 87 Ford Mustang gauge cluster

Gs1987GT · Dec 28, 2019

Hello gents, good evening

I had to pull the gauge cluster out of my Mustang to change the speedometer cable. I figured while I had it out I take it inside on my workbench remove the plastic lens cover and clean everything real good, because there's dust behind it.

Please see attached photos, you'll Note 2 sockets missing from behind the tachometer.

When I hold the cluster up to the light, one says check engine, the other says check oil. Based on what I can see, it does not appear either of those ever had any sockets in them. There are no markings on the printed circuit board in that area as you would typically see from turning a socket .

Is that correct? Or, are they missing?

Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

Also if you would happen to know what number bulb the small ones are on the lower right part of the cluster I would appreciate it as I would like to replace those before I put it back in the car. It looks like the balance of them are just 194s

Thank you.

Wayne Waldrep · Dec 28, 2019

Those two functions are on the lower right white block of bulbs if we are talking about an '87 GT. So no lights needed in the two open ones.

Gs1987GT · Dec 29, 2019

Hi Wayne, good morning

Thanks. That's what I was thinking, yes 87 GT. Thank you. Do you know what those small bulbs are (part number), (the group of 4 on the lower right whose housing screws to the main cluster) I can't seem to find that information anywhere.

Thanks

Mustang5L5 · Dec 29, 2019

Wayne Waldrep said:
Those two functions are on the lower right white block of bulbs if we are talking about an '87 GT. So no lights needed in the two open ones.

Partially correct.

Check oil is located in the small 4-pod warning light cluster on the 87/89 GT. If you were to put a bulb in the missing spot, both locations would light up.

Check engine is not present at all on an 87 and 88 running speed density. So the bulb isn’t present because the ECU doesn’t have the ability to display it. Now, if the car is swapped to mass air, you can wire up the check engine light and make it functional.

2.3l mustangs of that year do have the cel, so the cluster is meant to be sort of universal.

No idea what that little warning pod uses for bulbs though

Gs1987GT · Dec 29, 2019

Ok thanks for your reply.

I'm not having any luck finding the small bulb for that 4 pod cluster.

I'd like to replace all of them while I have it out... I'll have to keep looking

Mustang5L5 · Dec 29, 2019

Did some searching. Found a credible post clAiming they are #161 bulbs

Wayne Waldrep · Dec 29, 2019

Mustang5L5 said:
Partially correct.

Check oil is located in the small 4-pod warning light cluster on the 87/89 GT. If you were to put a bulb in the missing spot, both locations would light up.

Check engine is not present at all on an 87 and 88 running speed density. So the bulb isn’t present because the ECU doesn’t have the ability to display it. Now, if the car is swapped to mass air, you can wire up the check engine light and make it functional.

2.3l mustangs of that year do have the cel, so the cluster is meant to be sort of universal.

No idea what that little warning pod uses for bulbs though

Oh yeah....lol. You are correct. I got carried away on that one.

Gs1987GT · Dec 29, 2019

That's excellent! Thanks so much. I'm heading over to my my local auto parts store shortly to order the bulbs and I'll take one of the small ones with me to double check.

Thanks again!

Gs1987GT · Dec 29, 2019

Ok so the small 4 bulb cluster takes either a 73 or a 37 bulb. Only difference is one is 1.1w the other is 1.3w. The 161 is the same size as a 194

Wayne Waldrep · Dec 29, 2019

Gs87GT said:
Ok so the small 4 bulb cluster takes either a 73 or a 37 bulb. Only difference is one is 1.1w the other is 1.3w. The 161 is the same size as a 194

Excellent. You are now in charge of ALL gauge cluster bulb tech questions! Congrats on the promotion.

Gs1987GT · Dec 29, 2019

Lol! Thanks Wayne!

Mustang5L5 · Dec 29, 2019

Well looks like that source wasn’t good, but good job tracking it down. I think I need one new bulb myself

Gs1987GT · Dec 29, 2019

No worries! Thanks.

General karthief · Dec 29, 2019

The difference between the 161 and 194 is one is brighter than the other.
Actually I thought 164 and 194 was the same only one was brighter, it's been a while, used them on the marker lights on the dump truck but have since swapped to leds

Electrical Question on 87 Ford Mustang gauge cluster

Gs1987GT

Active Member

Wayne Waldrep

Before I post a pic, do you have one of yours?

Gs1987GT

Active Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Gs1987GT

Active Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Wayne Waldrep

Before I post a pic, do you have one of yours?

Gs1987GT

Active Member

Gs1987GT

Active Member

Wayne Waldrep

Before I post a pic, do you have one of yours?

Gs1987GT

Active Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Gs1987GT

Active Member

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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Electrical Question on 87 Ford Mustang gauge cluster

Active Member

Before I post a pic, do you have one of yours?

Active Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Active Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Before I post a pic, do you have one of yours?

Active Member

Active Member

Before I post a pic, do you have one of yours?

Active Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Active Member

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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