Chevrolet Citation Instrument Panel Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Citation instrument panel requires bulb size 168, 161, or 194 depending on the specific version of the component. Data for the bulb size covers the range from 1980 to 1983.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
1983	168
1982	161
1980-1981	194

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 1W.	161
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Chevrolet Citation instrument panel used three distinct bulb sizes across its 1980-1983 model years: the 168, 161, and 194, all of which conform to ANSI standards recognized in both the United States and Canada.
All three bulb types share the same T10 miniature wedge form factor and operate on a 12-volt electrical system, which reflects the standard automotive electrical architecture of that era.
Although the 168, 161, and 194 bulbs share the same T10 wedge base and voltage rating, their wattage ratings differ significantly, making them non-interchangeable despite their physical similarity.
The 194 bulb, rated at 3.78W, was used in the Chevrolet Citation for the 1980-1981 model years, representing the instrument panel specification for that two-year span.
The 161 bulb carries the lowest wattage of the three at 1W, and its use in the 1982 Citation instrument panel indicates a notably lower power draw compared to the bulbs specified for surrounding model years.
The 168 bulb, rated at 4.9W, is the highest-wattage unit among the three types listed and was specified for the 1983 model year, making it the brightest of the instrument panel bulbs used across this vehicle's production run.
The T10 wedge base is a pinless design that relies on the wedge-shaped glass envelope to make electrical contact within the socket, which is a common construction for low-wattage instrument panel applications.
Because the 168, 161, and 194 bulbs all use the T10 wedge base, incorrect substitution is a practical risk during replacement, as the base will physically fit regardless of whether the wattage rating matches the original specification.