How do I change the dash lights in my 1997 ford crown victoria? I took out all the screws but still cant get the cover off to get to the bulbs. URG!!!

Before I sent out my digital instrument cluster I would check all the plugs; they are silver plated however corrosion can play a part in low voltage circuits, sometimes a solder joint gets hot, you can tell by the scorch marks, and you can sometimes trace the circuit(s) with an ohm meter and find the bad connection or solder joint.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION Conventional Cluster Fig. 1: Remove the trim screw covers on the driver's and . . .
Fig. 2: . . . passenger side of the instrument cluster
Fig. 3: Remove the upper trim panel retaining screws
Fig. 4: Remove the heaHow do I change the - 89606p44.jpgh knob
Fig. 5: Detach the electrical connectors for the tHow do I change the - 89606p45.jpgd remove it from the vehicle
Fig. 6: Remove the instrHow do I change the - 89606p46.jpgr retaining screws from either side of the cluster Fig. 7: Remove the transmission range indicator cable Fig. 8: Slide the cluster out and detach the electrical connectors and . . .
Fig. 9: . . . . remove the instrument cluster from the vehicle

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. On 1989 vehicles, disconnect the speedometer cable. On 1989 Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis, remove the headlight switch knob and shaft assembly.
3. Remove the instrument cluster trim cover attaching screws and remove the trim cover.
4. Except 1992-98 Grand Marquis, remove the lower steering column cover retaining screws and remove the lower cover. On 1992-98 Grand Marquis, remove the knee bolster retaining screws and remove the knee bolster.
5. On all except 1992-98 Grand Marquis, remove the lower half of the steering column shroud.
6. Remove the screw holding the transmission range indicator column bracket to the steering column. Detach the cable loop from the pin and cane shift lever. Remove the column bracket from the column.
7. Remove the 4 cluster retaining screws. Disconnect the cluster feed plugs from the receptacle and remove the cluster assembly.
8. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable and set the parking brake.
2. Unsnap the center moulding on the left and right sides of the instrument panel. Remove the steering column cover and column shroud.
3. Remove the knobs from the auto dim and auto lamp switches, if equipped. Remove the 13 screws retaining the instrument panel and pull the panel out.
4. Move the shift lever to the 1 position, if required, for easier access.
5. Detach the electrical connectors from the warning lamp module, switch module and center panel switches, if equipped.
6. Remove the instrument cluster carefully so as not to scratch the cluster lens. Detach the electrical connector from the front of the cluster.
7. Disconnect the transmission range indicator assembly from the cluster by carefully bending the bottom tab down and pulling the indicator assembly forward.
8. Pull the cluster out and detach the electrical connectors on the rear of the cluster. Remove the instrument cluster.