Shifter Light HOW-TO!

[MarksmanAkula]

Alright! Here we go, my first attempt on a "How to" on this site.

Step 1 is to gather tools. I used a simple Flathead screwdriver for this task.

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Next is to pry up the shifter cover, this is simple, just wedge the screwdriver and gently pry upwards. once thats free it should look like this :

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After that, disconnect the wiring harness under the console cover - Push the red tab to the right, and press down on the tab beneath it and wiggle, should be tight but still come free.

Once your harness is disconnected, remove the cover from the shifter and set it aside.

Next locate 2 white tabs on the side of the PRNDL cover. there are 2 on the left, and 2 on the right. The ones on the left will be difficult to access without removing the whole center console, but you can still get it off with some wiggling.

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Once thats off and out of the way, wedge it up your shifter. I found thats the best place to store it out of your way.

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Now you have full access to your "Light Distributor" as i call it.

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CAREFULLY grab it near the back and pinch either side and pull back. Just enough to disengage the rear locking tab.

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And now disengage the rear locking tab

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Once thats off, pull it strait back towards you. Don't lift up, don't twist, nothin. Just strait back. you don't want to damage the red indicator slider.

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Now thats off, you can see your bulb!

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Grab the bulb and gently wiggle it out of its socket. I replaced mine with sylvania #2721, but you can find the MOPAR bulb on eBay.

Heres the link to the eBay bulb : https://www.ebay.com/p/252534904?iid=322641701709

And a tip if you go with the sylvanias : I got mine at auto zone. I found them to be loose in the socket, so they're not a 100% match. But you can make it work! Use the screwdriver and bend the prongs on the bulb out slightly! Just enough that they will hold the bulb confidently in the socket, like so.

(Need to make a 2nd post)

 

[MarksmanAkula]

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Now turn on your cars lights and put the bulb on the socket. It should turn on. If not, try turning the bulb around/wiggling it in the socket.

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Yay it works! Now to reassemble.

Slide your light distributor back in the way you took it off. Be careful of the red indicator tab. Line up the front hole with the nub on the distributor.

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and snap! all back in. Once thats on, bring your PRNDL cover back down, and snap that back on the shifter.
After that, slide your shifter main cover (the one with the switches) over your shifter. (Its easier to slide it over then connect the harness)
Plug your wiring harness back in, slide the locking tab over, then firmly seat your cover back in the console.

And all done! If all went well, your shifter should now light up.

If i missed anything, or you need more clarification, please let me know! Im happy to add input.
Hope this helps

-Akula

 

[DadOSix]

Nice write up!

 

[MarksmanAkula]

There was a gentleman asking for this in another thread. I didn't see any how-to's on this issue, so i decided to create my own

 

[LibertyTC]

Thanks for the the shifter bulb replacement "How To"
This will certainly help other KJ owners for sure.

 

[bladerunner555]

To disconnect wiring harness,is it the tab on the right or the left?

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[MarksmanAkula]

The red tab is what locks it in place - push it from the left side to the right, that should unlock it. Then press on the square bit thats connected by the 2 prongs directly below the red lock. Press down on the square and wiggle left to right to free it.

 

[bladerunner555]

I gave it another go but this time I got stuck at what you show in pic 3.
I tried 2 different screw drivers(second time i used one with a smaller head)to try and pop them out.
I also tried using those plastic tools that are for removing the dash to try to loosen it on the sides opposite of the white tabs.
How did you get it loose?

 

[MarksmanAkula]

I gave it another go but this time I got stuck at what you show in pic 3.
I tried 2 different screw drivers(second time i used one with a smaller head)to try and pop them out.
I also tried using those plastic tools that are for removing the dash to try to loosen it on the sides opposite of the white tabs.
How did you get it loose?

Im not sure how to go in depth in explaining that one. I just got a screw driver in there, gently pried off one tab, popped it off, then held that tab there and pried off the other side.

Im sure this is the video you referenced earlier :

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But the way he removes it is similar to the way i did it.