How to Repair Taurus Dash Lights

by Daniel Valladares

The Ford Taurus has several lights on its instrument cluster, referred to collectively as dash lights. These lights not only illuminate important portions of the instrument cluster, they also act as warning lights whenever your Taurus needs maintenance. The easiest way to repair the dash lights is to replace them, as they are relatively cheap and do not take much time to replace. In addition, if all of the dash lights are out, you should check the dash light fuse and repair that if necessary.

Replacing the Bulbs

Step 1

Open the hood of the Taurus and disconnect the both terminals of the battery with a socket wrench. Make sure to disconnect the negative terminal first. Wait five minutes for the vehicle's airbags to disengage.

Step 2

Remove the two screws from the underside of the dashboard above the instrument cluster, using a Phillips screwdriver. Lift off the top portion of the dash.

Step 3

Remove the four screws securing the instrument cluster of the Taurus, using a Phillips screwdriver.

Step 4

Use a slotted screwdriver to pull the instrument cluster towards you. Reach behind the instrument cluster and unplug the two electrical connectors.

Step 5

Pull the instrument cluster out of the Taurus. All of the bulbs are on the underside of the cluster. Replace all of the faulty bulbs with new 194LL bulbs.

Step 6

Place the instrument cluster back into the vehicle and reattach its two electrical connectors. Reinstall the four screws. Reattach the dash and its two screws. Reconnect both terminals of the battery, starting with the positive terminal.

Checking the Fuse

Step 1

Open the hood of the Taurus and locate the fuse box in the right corner of the engine compartment.

Step 2

Lift off the cover of the fuse box and locate the fuse in slot 19. This is the instrument cluster fuse. If the metal inside of the instrument cluster fuse is no longer in one piece, the fuse is broken and will need to be replaced. Pull the fuse out of the box and replace it with a new 20A fuse.