Dashboard and switchgear illumination

[filooting]

I've just bought a 1990 V12 in v gd condition but it has a few little niggles. First on the list to sort is lack of illumination. The temp/blower speed knobs are not lit at all. I suspect they should be and maybe lit by the fibre optic mentioned in handbook....if so, does anyone one know where the bulb resides?
Main dash binnacle instrument has very dim lighting & can barely be seen even at night. The dimmer is working from off to dim. When on full it only gives a yellow line at bottom of the roller gauges....almost as if something is shining at wrong angle. (Speedo was changed 6k miles ago)
Four large dash switches (hazards etc) also very dim. Are they lit seperately or single bulb behind each? Even when hazard or rear screen are on the light is VERY faint. Any ideas?

[Mark_B]

fibre optic bulb just behind the gearstick inside a silvery thing, underneath the ski-slope. It's a peculiar wattage 5W or something, you'll see what I mean. Try not to be tempted to put a 10W halogen in it's place, it might fit fine but the thing will melt!

instrument illumination most likely has a few blown bulbs, the instrument pack kind of comes out after removing a pair of clippy-in black things either side at the top to expose 2 screws. A pair of oblong connectors unplug from round the back and the whole thing can be removed so you can look at the bulbs. It might possibly be that a bulb is OK but there's a break in the connection where the bulb holder attaches, stopping bulb lighting.

each pair of 'large dash switches' is lit by a very small bulb, you pull the switch units out towards you to get the bulb that sits between the switches. Those bulbs are probably quite blackened

ps... that led bulb i think might be this one
T3¼ BA9s MBC Ultra-Bright LED’s RS Stock no. 283-0099 6 quid! http://www.rs-components.co.uk

[filooting]

Thanks a lot for that. I'll try it at the weekend. It all makes sense as the two push switches on the left are dim and the two on the right are definitely not lit. Heater knobs also not lit so looks like some are blown and some blackened. Cheers. Phil

[poprivet]

Re the fibre-optic bulb, I remember someone having great success by fitting a multi-LED bulb, much brighter but without the heat. I cant remember where I read/heard it though.
The green plastic shields over the instrument pod bulbs will be blackened, there are a few different mods, the one I did was to drill a number if fine (1mm) holes to allow more light through. Not as green now as intended, but at least I can read the dials.
Pop

[filooting]

Thanks Pop! I cannot wait to get it home on Saturday to try these bits out (it's garaged miles away!).
Phil.
1990 V12 76k

[wolf]

I bought a set of six multi led bulbs for the dashboard from a guy in the us on ebay called V12s. They've worked a treat. for the fibre optic unit, have a look at maplin or as previously mentioned RS components. However I have noticed that ripspeed in the larger Halfords have quite a few LED bulbs available