The customer came in with this 2001 Saturn SL and a couple of bulbs she wanted replaced in the instrument cluster. One for the DRL indicator (daytime running lights) and the other for the odometer. The first step was to remove the covers from the steering column. There were five screws with 5.5 mm hex heads.
Next I removed the two 7 mm hex headed screws at the driver’s side of the dash.
With the screws removed I could pull the end panel off.
Next, I pulled the cluster trim panel from the dash and unhooked the wiring for the switches.
A better view of the panel with the traction control switch and the panel dimming switch.
I removed the two screws at the top outside corners of the instrument cluster. Then, lifted and pulled it forward enough to reach behind and remove the harness connector.
The bulbs can be changed with the cardboard panel in place but I removed it to see if there was any identification marks on the circuit board.
There were none so I had to remove several to find the one for the DRL. It is the one in the next picture.
I then needed to change the bulb for the odometer backlighting. It is the one with the white base.
A 6 mm socket fits the bulb bases by the way.
This is the bulb for the odometer. It is actually a LED.
Performed a bulb check to make sure all bulbs would light up and this one is done.
If the lighting for the needles failed one at a time until they all went out then there is a good possibility that bulbs could be the culprit. If they all stopped at the same time there is likely a different problem. I do not remember anything about specific bulbs for the needles.
I have a 2000 SL, and want see if you think this is the same process for the needles on the instrument panel. I can still see all the gauges – but the needles on all guages don’t light up anymore. Thoughts?
As far as I can remember all of the bulbs had a blue base except the one for the odometer. It had a white base as shown in the article. Have you checked to make sure the illumination bulbs are blown and you do not have a different problem, such as blown fuses or a faulty switch?
Thank you so much for your reply.
The fuses aren’t blown, but I don’t know about the switch.
I’m not a car person, so a mechanic is going to do the work. Just figuring out which bulb is correct(blue base or beige) is the hard part. Nobody seems to know for sure. I’ve checked every place imaginable. That’s how I ended up on this forum.
I really appreciate your reply AND the directions above. Super helpful!
I’m having trouble figuring out which bulbs to order. I have a 2000 LS2. All of the lights on the dash are out.
Manual for the 2000 L-Series says the bulbs are P/N 21019274 and 21019273.
An online doc from Saturn lists the same part numbers for my car:
21019274, blue base, for instrument cluster illumination, turn signals, daytime running lamp, and high beam
21019273, white base, for odometer
But when my VIN has been run by dealerships and online sources, another part number comes up: 22695949, beige base
Please help.
The current, original bulbs in my car have a blue base.
Thanks for the info. Right now, I’m having trouble locating the bulb, and the GM dealer says they’re going to charge a hefty fee to replace it since they have to remove the steering column. Seems pretty straight forward though, especially with your detailed photos.