Mitsubishi Repair: 2001 Mitsubishi Galant, mitsubishi galant, gauge panel

Question
All of my dash lights have burned out. I am wondering if this is a hard fix and how to fix the problem. My blinker switch is broken, and will not turn the brights on. How much is this to fix and can you find a cheap used one anywhere?

Answer
Hi Justin,

First, did you check your fuse for your dash lights. If that's a yes, the lights themselves aren't too hard to change. Not sure on a Galant but on my Mirage it's quite easy. The gauge panel is installed into the dash first and then a trim panel is installed next. There are two screws on the top, inside part of the trim. Remove those and the trim should pull forward (if you have an adjustable steering wheel you may want to drop it to it's lowest position). The gauge panel is secured in much the same way...remove the two screws at the top and gauge panel should pull out. On the back side of the gauge panel you should find 2-4 discs that can be turned and removed from the panel...these hold the bulbs. Replace the bulbs and as the Chilton book likes to say, installation is reverse of removal.

As far as the blinker switch is concerned...not a hard job but quite tedious. I calls for the removal of the steering wheel (caution should be used as this contains the air bag), clock spring (be very careful with this part), steering column and then the switch itself. This is a serious replacement as it involves the drivers side air bag. Should you decide to do this yourself (I have and had good luck) I suggest you get a book on your vehicle or at the very least go to a library, read about and make copies of how to do this procedure.

As for buying a used blinker switch, I wouldn't recommend it. I bought a used one for my Chevy 3500 because the emergency button had broken and was part of the assembly...two months later that same button broke. I recommend buying only solid, die cast parts with no moveable pieces from a used supplier or you could end up like me...needing to change the same part two months later.

Good Luck!