Am I missing something here? Is it really necessary to remove the instrument panel to replace the bulbs? The lower ones are easy to reach. The upper ones take a bit more maneuvering to get out and back in. Naturally John needed to remove the cluster to install his ambient temp gauge, which BTW might be easier to find used in a Canadian yard like VolvoWorld (.com) where I believe the gauge is standard eqpt because we get a winterized car. You might have to settle for Celsius though. For a first time effort, six hours to change the common interior bulbs may be okay, but for an experienced Volvo mechanic it seems a bit steep, even with taking the console out. I'd like to hear more from one of our pro's.

On both my 940's and 740, if you remove the under dash panels and the knee bolster (SRS cars) there is pretty good access up to the back of the instrument cluster and to all the switches on the driver side of the console. The bulb above the ashtray is easy (some don't care). The only bulbs I haven't attacked yet are the ones behind the little A/C button and in the radio. Pulling a radio out and cracking it open is easy once you know how. The A/C button will require a bit more open dash surgery to get the unit out and crack it open.

While I'm on the topic, here's some tips people may find useful.

When working from the back of the dash, it's sometimes needed to start with a visual check then work by feel. A small hand sometimes helps, but good lighting and perseverence are more important. The bulbs and their sockets can safely be pulled out and partially re-inserted by the wires. Long handled needle nose pliers can help, but you risk a short. The bezel from the heater console to the ignition switch (may not apply to all models) is fearful to remove. It helps to know that the tabs are top and bottom, so pushing down on the thin lip above the defog switch and pulling out the top edge is the way to go. If you need further access to the switches, there are spring clips on the outside of the switch panels that you need to press inward from the back side as you push that end out (the other end is held by fixed tabs). Simply reefing on these panels will likely damage the dash edge holding the clip and it may be difficult to get a snug fit when you put it back together. The switches can then be removed from these panels by pressing their side clips at the back.

The bulb for the tunnel shift indicator is a pain. Previous practice, small fingers, bent needle nose pliers or surgical implements are definitely assets. The bulb socket pulls straight down okay, but getting the socket back in the square opening requires a fair bit of trial and error.

Some of these bulbs are available from aftermarket (mail order) sources, but it's difficult to be sure of a match -Volvo has probably used 60 different dash/intrument/accessory bulbs over the years. I've yet to see an aftermarket source for those really expensive ones with the integral socket and pointed tail.

For those who prefer to pull the instrument cluster, before disconnecting any electrical connectors or ground wires in the column area (or anywhere under the central dash or driver seat), be sure to first disable the air bags by disconnecting the battery and waiting a few minutes.