Doge Neons use incandescent light bulbs mounted inside the instrument cluster to illuminate the gauges in the dash. If one of these bulbs burns out it will make it difficult if not impossible to operate the vehicle safely at night. Replacing the dash lights in a Doge Neon is a simple operation that can be completed by most vehicle owners. All you will need is a few simple tools, and an hour or two.
Disconnect the ground cable from the negative battery terminal. Use a wrench to loosen the retaining bolt. Then pull the clamp off the terminal.
Remove the dash top cover. The dash top cover is the panel that sits above the instrument cluster. Part of this piece also extends below and around the instrument cluster. Use a flat blade screwdriver to carefully pry the dash top cover away from the dash. Then remove it from the vehicle.
Unscrew the four screws that connect the instrument cluster to the housing, using a Phillips screwdriver.
Pull the instrument cluster toward the rear of the vehicle, but do not disconnect the odometer wire. You need to be able to access the back side of the cluster.
Remove the bulbs. The bulbs will be labeled on the back of the instrument cluster. Remove the burned out bulb or bulbs by turning them counter clockwise. Then pull the bulb out.
Insert a new bulb into the appropriate hole in the instrument cluster. Turn it clockwise to secure it.
Push the instrument cluster into position inside the cluster housing.
Screw the four retaining screws through the cluster mounting holes and into the dash, using a Phillips screwdriver.
Lay the dash top cover into position above the instrument cluster. Using the palm of your hand, carefully push down on the retaining clips, to secure the top cover.
Reconnect the ground cable to the negative battery terminal. Slide the clamp over the terminal. Then use a wrench to tighten the retaining bolt.
