Author Topic: Dash Lights (Read 4295 times)

phantom59 · « **on:** March 04, 2008, 06:06:37 am »

Could someone tell me how to access the bulbs for the dash lights. The book I have says to remove the instrument cluster. This looks like a heck of a lot of work to replace a couple of bulbs is this nessassary.

somolovitch3 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2008, 07:21:27 am »

yep.

Unless GF has very skinny arms and is double jointed. :twisted:

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2008, 10:44:23 am »

You do have to remove the cluster. Once you have the dash off, there are two screws, one on each side of it. Then disconnect the speedometer cable, in the back on the left side of it. Then disconnect the plug(s) from the bottom, depending on whether you have CE1(two plugs, 1989 and previous) or CE2(one plug, 1990+).

Be careful not to rip the "plastic paper" circuit board that is on the cluster.

Matt

rubadubdub · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2008, 05:34:54 pm »

Rather than unplug the cable and multiplug first try to just pull the cluster forward an inch or lean it forward to unscrew the bulbs as they are on the top front edge. Might save you an uneccessary few minutes of swearing when you try to put the cable back on in a cramped space.

Never tried it but i suppose you might be able to get to one of the bulbs through the radio hole once its removed. For it to work at all you'll need skinny arms, agile fingers and a good idea of where the bulb is. You will probably end up taking the cluster out anyway when you cant reach, so probably easier to spend another 10 mins and take the cluster out.

zukgod1 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2008, 05:47:03 pm »

Removing the cluster just isnt that hard.
Pull it and replace as needed re install.

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2008, 12:23:47 am »

Quote from: "rubadubdub"

Rather than unplug the cable and multiplug first try to just pull the cluster forward an inch or lean it forward to unscrew the bulbs as they are on the top front edge. Might save you an uneccessary few minutes of swearing when you try to put the cable back on in a cramped space.

Never tried it but i suppose you might be able to get to one of the bulbs through the radio hole once its removed. For it to work at all you'll need skinny arms, agile fingers and a good idea of where the bulb is. You will probably end up taking the cluster out anyway when you cant reach, so probably easier to spend another 10 mins and take the cluster out.

I was including the clock light bulb, but the upper two might be accessible without having to remove the cable.

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #6 on:** December 01, 2008, 01:38:38 pm »

re-emerging a thread here...

Do you just pull the bulbs straight out?
I'm terrified of ripping the printed circuit board! where is the clock light? Are there only two lights on the whole thing? (not including the LEDs)
at the top right and left corners looking at the back yeah?

FineFrank · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 2008, 02:49:02 pm »

While you're in there, replace all the instrument panel bulbs (my MK1 has two) and you're done for as long as they last. First time I did it, I replaced one, then the other one a month later. Lesson learned.

zukgod1 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2008, 03:24:19 pm »

I think they are in holders. Twist to release the holder then remove from holder.

Now that i think about it more I think the holder/base and bulb are one unit. As in the bulb is soldered to the base.

I replaced the bulbs in mine though, I was able to cut the little wire that attached to the base and wedged new bulbs in place.

VW_Commuter · « **Reply #9 on:** December 01, 2008, 03:45:45 pm »

I'm going to try some LED instrument bulbs from Super Bright LEDs. The specific bulbs are the 'T1.5-x Instrument LED bulb' that is the first bulb on the second page of auto bulbs. I'll let you know how they work.

zukgod1 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 01, 2008, 05:10:26 pm »

I've wondered about those as well but I like to be able to dim my dash lights down to about nothing most times. LED's are either on or off no?

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #11 on:** December 01, 2008, 06:51:37 pm »

I have two red LEDs i wanted to use but my electronics wizz friend told me that they would burn out with out resistors otherwise current will kill them. LEDs take very very little current and almost always need protection from current. 12v would fry them in a couple weeks.

Instrument lights? i thought those two lights were the only ones? where are the other lights? behind the face?

Yes Dan, they twist out and they aren't soldered in, just clipped in.