My 88 240 has a light that went kaput as well. The problem was that the bulb slid out of the metal socket -- not sure if an '80 socket is the same as an '88 but my quick fix was to wedge a piece of plastic between the bulb base and the metal socket. Held in place for about 3 years, and now I just count the clicks.
So, your bulb may be ok, just need to get it to stay in the socket.

Good luck and Happy New Year!

Napa has the lights - you just need to go to the counter and ask. Alternatley - I can grab some here in Anchorage and mail them up to you - about a buck a piece when I got some a couple of weeks ago.

Zach

Yup, there's a light.

First get the new bulb. Then consider replacing the wire. It's 25 years old, brittle, been bent a lot, etc. Tired out.

Use a similar gauge stranded wire, and make it a good bit longer. Cut the old wire a few inches from the light fixture, take out six inches and cut again. That should get rid of any place where the wire is broken inside the insulation.

Put in the new wire, shrink tubing over solder connections, and make a long low loop down into the shifter well; almost a figure eight. That will allow the flexing from shifting to be done over a longer wire, making work hardening a infinitely small risk.

Ought to last another 25+ years.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Hi, again.
Hope you're making good progress with your diesel.

Yes, my old '80 245 had a light that consecutively backlit whichever gear you were in.

If you unscrew the two screws and lift up the 'gate', you'll see the bulb riding on a socket that moves with the shift handle.

Happy New Years.

Yup, there's a bulb in there, probably burnt out. the green manual lists it as a W246d(W2x4,6d )1,2w
Always fun to find. If you can't locate them in your catalog upthere, try www.fcpgroton.com, they should have them on the shelf.
If you cant find one, there is a place local here that has them.

------------Robert
--
-------Robert, '93 940t, '90 240 wagon, '84 240 diesel (she's sick) , '80 245 diesel, '86 740 GLE turbo diesel, '92 Ford F350 diesel dually

Nick:

I'm not sure on the 80 models, but on 89 and later models, there is a light bulb under the PRNDL shifter. Remove the two screws at the front of the shift cover, put the shifter in L, and pull the cover back, and then up. With a flashlight, you should be able to see the bulb assembly on the driver side of the shifter assembly. Grab ahold of the black base and pull it downwards. Remove the old bulb and replace it... problem solved. If it isn't, inspect the wires leading to the bulb and find the break and correct it (very rare).

jorrell