DASH BOARD

[floppy]

Hello,

Can anybody tell me if it is a big job to take out the dash as the bulbs have gone and I cant see how fast I am going in the dark. Maybe that could be a good idea as the wife cant see either!!!!
Thanks
Mike

[dhdove]

Floppy
Hi, no. No big deal.
I cant remember the details but follow the instructions in the manual. Remove outside trim - two screws? revealing instrument binnacle, remove three, I think screws and the whole lot comes out.
I think you have to have the steering column at the lowest point and furthest out to remove.
As you remove it unscrew speedo drive and multi-plugs.
Insrument light bulbs plug into the back. five I think.
NB I did this and it didn't make a great deal of difference, I think the "flexi" PCB connections on the back give up.
But it's not a hard job, see how you get on.
Regards
DH Dove

[Jon]

Just to add to the above, The little blanks at the end of the warning light strip are little screw covers. Take care not to break them.

[SimonR]

Yeah the above is pretty much as I found it.

Just to add that you may be dissappointed with the difference you make. I had exactly the same problems as you when I first got my car this time last year. When it was dark I couldn't see any of theinstruments at all.

When I took the instrument pod out, I found that all the green covers that colour the illumination bulbs were black from the heat, so I bought a replacement instrument pack from eBay and replaced al the covers and bulbs and guess what...?

Well I can *just* about see what speed I'm doing now but it's a bit of a strain. I've tried making some replacement bulbs using high intensity LEDs but so far I've had no luck because it's so difficult to solder anything to the plastic bulb holders.

Do let us know how you get on

[poprivet]

the green covers that colour the illumination bulbs were black from the heat
This is of course the problem. I used a very small drill, no larger then 1mm dia. held in a pin vice to make three or four holes in each green plastic bubble. This allowed enough light to penetrate whilst still showing green.
Obviously while the binnacle is out test all the illumination and warning bulbs, replacing where necessary. Halfords stock them BTW.
Pop

[Brakebuster]

an alternative would be to fit green LED lamp replacement units ,
you will need to remove the old darkened green lenses, the improvement will be monumental, well, almost

BB

[Jon]

I think my dash display must be unusually good, or my carrot eating has been paying off, as the only instrument I struggle to read in the dark is the odometer. I don't think I've even got the rheostat fully turned up.

One of my bulbs was out, it was just loose in the socket, and unlike these doom-mongers here I would say it will make a good difference.

[dhdove]

I think my dash display must be unusually good, or my carrot eating has been paying off, as the only instrument I struggle to read in the dark is the odometer. I don't think I've even got the rheostat fully turned up.

One of my bulbs was out, it was just loose in the socket, and unlike these doom-mongers here I would say it will make a good difference.

Floppy, Jon may have spotted the obvious we've all missed
Has your knee brushed on the dash light rheostat (above your knee ) and turned all the dash illumination OFF ?
DH Dove

[floppy]

Hello Again People,

Many thanks for all the helpful advice I have had with my dash problem. I am going on a car run this weekend with the car club I am in North Devon Classic and sports car club. But after this I will have time to try and sort things out. I will let you know how I gett on, once again Many thanks Mike