How to replace dashboard lights

[xain]

Hello all, it looks like I've lost a bulb for illuminating the bottom half of the speedo. Replacing dash lights is never easy, but has anyone done it on a Chimaera?

[raceboy]

To replace the bulbs 1st you must remove the dashtop. To do this, there are 3 bolts, 2 on passenger side and 1 on drivers, nightmare to find, on passenger side drop down the glove flap, and you will see bolt 1, then feel towards the bulkhead, and up for bolt 2, drivers side feel up the back of the dash above the bonnet release for bolt 3, once thats off its quite straight forward, if I remember correctly you can change bulds without removing the instruments, just pull on them from the back of each one, good luck. This was the instructions given from TMS for a 94 Chimaera, no doubt different years had different methods. Let us know how you get on.

[apache]

xain before you go to all that trouble check that your speedo has 2 bulbs, when I bought my Griff I noticed the speedo was dull compared to the rev counter & took it back, the dealer said that cos of the odometer there is only one bulb, they fitted a slightly higher wattage for me

[xain]

Oh... I wondered, but it is very dim compared to the tacho. Thanks guys, I'll have a look. Incidentally, can anyone think of a reason why TVR decided to put a switch on the dial lights? A dimmer, yes... a switch???

[trefor]

My speedo only has one light too - you're probably looking at a 'feature'. I have seen some lit the same as the rev counter - much more preferable. I guess TVR did single bulbs on Wednesdays and the other on Fridays etc. Some people don't like the glare of the lights, hence the switch. Yes, IMHO it should have a dimmer option. Trefor/.

[Marshy]

OK, this is a real sad-ass question... Has anyone tried coloured dash-lighting?

[xain]

Actually I have, on my last car! (an old Integra) I decided I'd like green backlightling, but there were a few problems. There were about 3 different bulb sizes, and I could only get one size in green. So it was patchy where I hadn't changed a bulb. So I changed the two bulbs that illuminated the *front* of the dash to green, that worked quite well, but meant that the coloured print on the dials looked grey instead of coloured. I'd have changed it back if I could be bothered to go through the whole rigmorole again. I guess it might look alright if you have a very bright colour scheme on your Chimaera dash.

[jase]

If you are gunning it through an unlit country road, turning off the dash lights might be less distracting.

[griffo]

Guys/Gals,
My rev counter light went out = bulb needs replacing... Does anyone know what type of blub I need (before I go and take the dash apart).

Cheers

[Incorrigible]

griffo said:

Guys/Gals, My rev counter light went out = bulb needs replacing... Does anyone know what type of blub I need (before I go and take the dash apart). Cheers

The dash is still in place with the top off, so you're fine driving like that (you do get the odd funny look turning up to TVR meetings like that though)

I'd get the dash top off first, then take the bulb down to your local suppliers to replace

[jamieheasman]

Incidentally, driving without the dashtop at night really proves the worth of that dash-light button. The reflections you get from the back of the dials is dreadful!