Hi i wanna replace the bulbs in my instrument panel cavalier 2002 base 4 door, is it sockets or the bulbs are connected to the board?

Hi, it's possible the bulb is burned out or not making good contact with the circuit board. It should come on during the bulb check when you first turn the key on. Pull out the cluster and check the bulb. If it's good, see if you can clean the contact surfaces to get it working again. Or, move to another state where they don't worry about stupid things like a light bulb.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

See Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Fig. Fig. 1: To remove the instrument cluster, first remove the trim panel by removing the lower fascia panel

Fig. Fig. 2: With the lower fascia moved aside, remove the lower trim panel attaching screws ...

Fig. Fig. 3: ... as well as the upper attaching screws

Fig. Fig. 4: Then pull the entire instrument trim panel from the dash board

Fig. Fig. 5: Exploded view of the instrument cluster

Fig. Fig. 6: Rear view of the instrument cluster wire routing and connections

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Remove the two steering column shroud-to-panel retaining screws and remove the shroud.
3. Remove the lower instrument panel trim.
4. Remove the cluster trim cover from the instrument panel by removing the eight screws.
5. Remove the four instrument cluster to panel retaining screws.
6. Position the cluster slightly away from the panel for access to the back of the cluster to disconnect the speedometer.

If there is not sufficient access to disengage the speedometer cable from the speedometer, it may be necessary to remove the speedometer cable at the transmission and pull cable through cowl, to allow room to reach the speedometer quick disconnect.

1. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the printed circuit, and any bulb-and-socket assemblies from the wiring harness to the cluster assembly and remove the cluster assembly from the instrument panel.

To install:

1. Apply approximately 1 / 8 in. diameter ball of D7AZ-19A331-A Silicone Dielectric compound or equivalent in the drive hole of the speedometer head.
2. Position the cluster near its opening in the instrument panel.
3. Connect the wiring harness connector to the printed circuit, and any bulb-and-socket assemblies from the wiring harness to the cluster assembly.
4. Position the cluster to the instrument panel and install the four cluster to panel retaining screws.
5. Install the panel trim covers and the steering column shroud.
6. Connect the battery ground cable.
7. Check operation of all gauges, lamps and signals.

Check for corrosion in the light sockets. Also make sure the base of the bulb is not melting around the contacts. I cleaned out the sockets with electrical contact cleaner. And when i replaced the bulbs i put Di-electric grease on the base of the bulb. So far so good

fuse ok.need to remove instrument cluster and see if good connection on the cluster os maybe yo can see a break in plastic circut board.I would have another instrument cluster handy if old unit not repairable

It's the bulb. You have to pull the instrument panel cluster to get at it. The following directions are from Haynes 829 for the 1982 through 1990 Buick Century, but are probably applicable to your vehicle as well.

1. Disconnect the negative cable at the battery.
2. Remove the left side dashboard trim panels.
3. Remove the cluster retaining screws.
4. Disconnect the speedometer cable.
5. Pull the cluster out, disconnect the wiring and remove it from the instrument panel.
6. Installation is the reverse of removal.

The bulb is most likely in a socket set into the flexible circuit panel, and is removed by twisting the socket 1/4 turn counter-clockwise. The bulb is probably a wedge-base type that pulls straight out of the socket.

Headlamp Removal & Installation Bulb Replacement To Remove:
CAUTION
Halogen bulbs contain pressurized gas. Mishandling a bulb may result in the bulb shattering into flying glass fragments.
CAUTION
Make sure to wear eye protection when handling a halogen bulb.
CAUTION
Do not touch the glass of a halogen bulb, only handle the bulb by the base.
CAUTION
Do not allow a halogen bulb to come into contact with dirt or moisture.
CAUTION
Make sure to dispose of a used halogen bulb properly.
CAUTION
Do not allow children to handle halogen bulbs.

1. Turn the lamp switch to the off position.
2. Make sure the bulb is cool before changing.
3. Remove the headlamp assembly from the headlamp panel.
4. Remove the rear access cover from the headlamp assembly.
5. Disconnect the headlamp connector.
6. Remove the bulb from the headlamp assembly by rotating the bulb and socket counterclockwise.

To Install:

1. Connect the headlamp connector.
2. Install the bulb into the headlamp assembly by rotating the bulb and socket clockwise.
3. Install the rear access cover onto the headlamp assembly.
4. Install the headlamp assembly into the headlamp panel.

Headlamp Assembly Chevrolet To Remove:
Headlamp Assembly (Chevrolet)

1. Remove the grille from the front of the vehicle.
2. Release the headlamp assembly retaining tabs.
3. If equipped, disconnect the headlamp leveling motor connector.
4. Disconnect the headlamp connector.
5. Remove the park/turn and side marker bulb sockets from the headlamp assembly.
6. Remove the headlamp assembly from the headlamp panel.

To Install:

1. Place the headlamp assembly into the headlamp panel.
2. Install the park/turn and side marker bulb sockets into the headlamp assembly.
3. Connect the headlamp connector.
4. If equipped, connect the headlamp leveling motor connector.
5. Lock the headlamp assembly retaining tabs.
6. Install the grille onto the front of the vehicle.

try replacing the tail lamp socket. it could be shorting out

blower resistor is located inside the car on passenger side, underneath the instrument panel. unplug the electrical connector to the resistor, remove two screws and remove from the heater case. installation of the new resistor is just the reverse.

reccommend using a 1/4 inch drive ratcheting socket as clearance around carpet / sound mat makes it tight.

The dashboard has lights inside to illuminate the gauges. It could either be LED or bulbs. You need to open the dash to get to the gauge. In most cars, the lights can be replaced from the back of teh gauges.

Removal & Installation To Remove:

1. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Hood close out filler panel.
   • Bolts from the headlamp.
   • Headlamp from the headlamp mounting panel.
   • Electrical connector from the headlamp.
   • Headlamp bulb/socket retainer ring from the headlamp.

Headlamp bulb/socket from the headlamp.

Bolts from the headlamp adjuster mechanism.

Headlamp adjuster mechanism.

To Install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   • Headlamp bulb/socket to the headlamp.
   • Headlamp bulb/socket retainer ring to the headlamp.
   • Headlamp adjuster mechanism to the headlamp housing, if necessary
   • Bolts to the headlamp adjuster mechanism. Tighten to 6 N.m (53 lb in).
   • Electrical connector to the headlamp.
   • Headlamp to the headlamp mounting panel and lower mounting bracket.
   • Bolts to the headlamp. Tighten to 10 N.m (89 lb in ).
   • Hood close out filler panel.

it sounds like you are getting corrosion in the socket from water leaking in. Then you end up with high resistance which then causes more current draw whcih then overheats the socket and bulb.
You need to clean the socket very good or replace it if it's on a short wireing harness with a connector. They are @ $20.00.
Then you need to spray some electrical contact cleaner/deoxidizer in the socket to kep it protected. Go to Radio Shack or an auto store to get this.
Finally, look for how the water is getting in there. Sometimes the lens has a gap between the outer lens and lamp body. Seal the entire joint where the lens is attached to the body with a clear silicone sealer. Let us know your outcome. Good luck.