I just completed a DIY clock light replacement on my 2001 Ody. While there are lots of posts without pics, I thought that I'd share one with pics. [Update - I sent an acrobat file with the pics to the webmaster for the TECH section. Hopefully, it will be posted soon.]
However, before I describe the install, let me give you some background as to why I decided to do this myself. Apparently Ody clock lights go out often enough to be called "a common service problem" by my local dealer/service shop. I've had my Ody EX since March of '01 and the light went out around the end of June, 04... right about the time that I replaced the head unit for an after-market stereo (Alpine 9820XM). Now I think that the HU replacement and the light going out is coincidental, but my wife thinks otherwise. In any case, she wanted the clock light fixed immediately.
Even though I have an extended warranty that would cover the replacement, there is a $50 deductible. $50 for a light replacement is a bit much. After reading the numerous threads on the subject, I thought that I could do this myself. As others have said, it is easy. It will take about 45 minutes to do the first time. It would take about 15-20 minutes every time after that.
Here are the steps:
1. Undo the panels to the left and right of the steering column.
2. Remove the panel that encloses the instrument cluster.
3. Replace the light bulb located on the back of the panel (removed in step 2).
4. Reinstall the instrument panel (removed in step 2).
5. Reinstall the panels on the left and right of the steering column.
Here are the details:
FIRST - Disconnect the battery. Be careful to locate the radio security code and radio station memory locations before you disconnect though. I chose to disconnect the ground (black wire) from the battery. Be careful to put the cable away from the battery terminal.
Step 1: Undo the panels to the left and right of the steering column.
a. Put on your parking break. You'll want to prevent the car from moving because you will soon put the car in gear.
b. Put your keys and turn to the starting position (but don't try to start the car). This allows the gear lever to move.
c. Move the gear shift to lowest gear. This puts the gear shift lever to a place nearly out of the way of the panel so that you can pry it out.
d. Using bare hands, pull smartly on the plastic edge closest to the steering wheel. Pry out the panels by hand as they are both held by tabs. This is hardest to do the first time. Keep in mind that these are pieces of plastic, so be careful. Once panels are out, let them dangle. You only need access to the instrument panel screws.
Step 2: Remove the panel that encloses the instrument cluster.
e. Remove the 8 screws that keep the instrument cluster panel in place.
o Two on left of steering wheel
o Two on top of instrument cluster (upside-down)
o Four on right side of steering wheel
f. Wiggle/pry out the instrument cluster panel. Be careful as the center is held in stronger than the sides. In addition to screws, there are different tabs that assist in holding this in place.
g. Before removing the instrument cluster panel, disconnect the clock and emergency light electrical connectors. While the clock connector disconnects easily, the emergency light has a locking tab that needs to be pushed in to disconnect. I used a small screwdriver to push in the tab to get the connector to disconnect.
h. Remove the instrument panel. Turn it over and locate the clock's protective cover.
i. Open the clock's protective cover by loosening the tabs. Be very gentle to these tabs.
j. Once the cover is removed locate the light bulb.
Step 3: Replace the light bulb located on the back of the panel (removed in step 2).
k. Unscrew the light bulb and remove.
l. Install the new light bulb. Check the light bulb before you install it. Be careful when rotating the new light bulb. in place. I've read in other posts that the light bulbs are VERY sensitive. I used a small screwdriver with plastic on the head to screw the light bulb. in.
m. Replace the clock's protective cover.
o. Reconnect the clock and emergency light's electrical connectors.
Step 4. Reinstall the instrument panel (removed in step 2).
p. Fit the instrument cluster panel back into it's original position. Be careful with the fan vents. I suggest aligning the fan vents first, then fitting the panel.
q. Screw in the 8 screws that keep the instrument cluster panel in place.
Step 5. Reinstall the panels on the left and right of the steering column.
r. Push both panels back into place.
s. Move the gear shift lever back to park.
t. Remove the car key.
u. [Optional - disengage the parking brake]
LAST - Reconnect the battery.
TEST - Reinsert your keys and turn them to the starting position (but don't start the car). The clock light should light up.
Note: Because the power has been reset, you will need to enter the factory stereo code and reset your radio stations.
Thanks to all previous posters who guided me on doing this.
-KLH
Kenneth Harrigan
However, before I describe the install, let me give you some background as to why I decided to do this myself. Apparently Ody clock lights go out often enough to be called "a common service problem" by my local dealer/service shop. I've had my Ody EX since March of '01 and the light went out around the end of June, 04... right about the time that I replaced the head unit for an after-market stereo (Alpine 9820XM). Now I think that the HU replacement and the light going out is coincidental, but my wife thinks otherwise. In any case, she wanted the clock light fixed immediately.
Even though I have an extended warranty that would cover the replacement, there is a $50 deductible. $50 for a light replacement is a bit much. After reading the numerous threads on the subject, I thought that I could do this myself. As others have said, it is easy. It will take about 45 minutes to do the first time. It would take about 15-20 minutes every time after that.
Here are the steps:
1. Undo the panels to the left and right of the steering column.
2. Remove the panel that encloses the instrument cluster.
3. Replace the light bulb located on the back of the panel (removed in step 2).
4. Reinstall the instrument panel (removed in step 2).
5. Reinstall the panels on the left and right of the steering column.
Here are the details:
FIRST - Disconnect the battery. Be careful to locate the radio security code and radio station memory locations before you disconnect though. I chose to disconnect the ground (black wire) from the battery. Be careful to put the cable away from the battery terminal.
Step 1: Undo the panels to the left and right of the steering column.
a. Put on your parking break. You'll want to prevent the car from moving because you will soon put the car in gear.
b. Put your keys and turn to the starting position (but don't try to start the car). This allows the gear lever to move.
c. Move the gear shift to lowest gear. This puts the gear shift lever to a place nearly out of the way of the panel so that you can pry it out.
d. Using bare hands, pull smartly on the plastic edge closest to the steering wheel. Pry out the panels by hand as they are both held by tabs. This is hardest to do the first time. Keep in mind that these are pieces of plastic, so be careful. Once panels are out, let them dangle. You only need access to the instrument panel screws.
Step 2: Remove the panel that encloses the instrument cluster.
e. Remove the 8 screws that keep the instrument cluster panel in place.
o Two on left of steering wheel
o Two on top of instrument cluster (upside-down)
o Four on right side of steering wheel
f. Wiggle/pry out the instrument cluster panel. Be careful as the center is held in stronger than the sides. In addition to screws, there are different tabs that assist in holding this in place.
g. Before removing the instrument cluster panel, disconnect the clock and emergency light electrical connectors. While the clock connector disconnects easily, the emergency light has a locking tab that needs to be pushed in to disconnect. I used a small screwdriver to push in the tab to get the connector to disconnect.
h. Remove the instrument panel. Turn it over and locate the clock's protective cover.
i. Open the clock's protective cover by loosening the tabs. Be very gentle to these tabs.
j. Once the cover is removed locate the light bulb.
Step 3: Replace the light bulb located on the back of the panel (removed in step 2).
k. Unscrew the light bulb and remove.
l. Install the new light bulb. Check the light bulb before you install it. Be careful when rotating the new light bulb. in place. I've read in other posts that the light bulbs are VERY sensitive. I used a small screwdriver with plastic on the head to screw the light bulb. in.
m. Replace the clock's protective cover.
o. Reconnect the clock and emergency light's electrical connectors.
Step 4. Reinstall the instrument panel (removed in step 2).
p. Fit the instrument cluster panel back into it's original position. Be careful with the fan vents. I suggest aligning the fan vents first, then fitting the panel.
q. Screw in the 8 screws that keep the instrument cluster panel in place.
Step 5. Reinstall the panels on the left and right of the steering column.
r. Push both panels back into place.
s. Move the gear shift lever back to park.
t. Remove the car key.
u. [Optional - disengage the parking brake]
LAST - Reconnect the battery.
TEST - Reinsert your keys and turn them to the starting position (but don't start the car). The clock light should light up.
Note: Because the power has been reset, you will need to enter the factory stereo code and reset your radio stations.
Thanks to all previous posters who guided me on doing this.
-KLH
Kenneth Harrigan