dashboard bulb, easy to change?

[chris watton]

Well,, I have now had my boot lock fixed, and all was well again, until I noticed the light not come on for the dashboard dials when I switched my lights on!
has anyone had to change their bulb in the dash, and if so, how easy/hard is this job to do?, as I don't really want to take it back to a garage for a seemingly very minor job and get charged the earth for it!! lol

Cheers

Chris

[tvrbob]

Not a job for a non-TVR garage. Are you sure there's a problem? Chims have a problem with the speedo light not being as bright as the other dials. The job is faily simple but will take a long time. You have to take the dash apart. Instructions are in the Bible.

[ianesland]

Apologies for stating what may be obvious, but take it you've tried the button under the dash to the left of the steering column?

[chris watton]

Cheers Bob ,
It's definately the bulb thats gone, as there is no light whatsoever on the dash, I have perused through the Bible and it seems to be not as bad to get at as the Griffith, just 3 bolts, albeit in very awkward positions!!! I cannot see any reference to type of bulb that is needed though! any ideas??

Chris

[chris watton]

ianesland said:

Apologies for stating what may be obvious, but take it you've tried the button under the dash to the left of the steering column?

The only button on the left side of the steering column is the intermittent wiper dial!!! Have I been missing another button for all the time I've had my car?

[thornogson]

Easy to do once the dash is off. This is a bit tricky the first time, but once you have mastered it, it becomes a five minute job. There are two bolts on the left and one on the right. Before you put the dash top back on shorten the R/H bolt has it will go back on a lot easier. The bulbs are standard and just push into the holders.
It is explained in the bible and there are several threads on here.
Graham.

[tvrbob]

chris watton said:

ianesland said: Apologies for stating what may be obvious, but take it you've tried the button under the dash to the left of the steering column? The only button on the left side of the steering column is the intermittent wiper dial!!! Have I been missing another button for all the time I've had my car?

The button referred to is under the dash pointing downward and to the left of the column. It's similar to the boot open button.

[chris watton]

Thanks Bob,, I'll have a look for that tomorrow

[PeterC]

There are two "buttons" controlling the dash lights and as far s I am aware, no button to alter the intermittent feature of the wipers.

The button under the lhs of the dash is a simple on/off. The one mounted on the lhs of the column in front of the steering column adjustment lever rotates and is for dimming the dash lights.

At least that's what they do on mine. Have you tried fiddling with both as this is where your problem may be.

[k4trv]

PeterC said:

There are two "buttons" controlling the dash lights and as far s I am aware, no button to alter the intermittent feature of the wipers. The button under the lhs of the dash is a simple on/off. The one mounted on the lhs of the column in front of the steering column adjustment lever rotates and is for dimming the dash lights. At least that's what they do on mine. Have you tried fiddling with both as this is where your problem may be.

PeterC - How confusing !!

The "button" switches dash lights on/off - Agreed
The "knob (twirlie thingie)" alters the timing of the intermittent wipers - well, on mine it does.


Mind you I have a '93 Chimaera, but not seen anyone admit they have adjustable dash lights - on/off yes, dimmed - NO !!

Don't we love TVRs...........

[tvrbob]

k4trv said:

PeterC said: There are two "buttons" controlling the dash lights and as far s I am aware, no button to alter the intermittent feature of the wipers. The button under the lhs of the dash is a simple on/off. The one mounted on the lhs of the column in front of the steering column adjustment lever rotates and is for dimming the dash lights. At least that's what they do on mine. Have you tried fiddling with both as this is where your problem may be. PeterC - How confusing !! The "button" switches dash lights on/off - Agreed The "knob (twirlie thingie)" alters the timing of the intermittent wipers - well, on mine it does. Mind you I have a '93 Chimaera, but not seen anyone admit they have adjustable dash lights - on/off yes, dimmed - NO !! Don't we love TVRs...........

Agreed, the twirlie thingie on my '99 Chim is for intermittent wiper speed.

[chris watton]

Right,, once again,, a very big thank you guys ,, there was/is indeed another switch on the underside of the steering column, to the left,,, I pressed it, and hey presto,,, my dashboard lights came on!!!
I never knew about this switch,, and I've had the car since Oct. 2002!!!!

Thank you

Chris

(who can now proudly say that there is nothing at all wrong with his car,,, for now!!! lol)

[Big Al.]

My question to you would be, if you didn't know the switch was there, how did you manage to turn it off?

[chris watton]

LOL,, very good question Al ,
Well,, my Fiancee backed my car out the garage yesterday, to get the kids bikes out, (I use her car to go to work if she isn't using it),,,, and,, tonight,, she did admit to having a 'fiddle' around the said steering column area!!!
I only noticed because she was too scared to drive the car back into the garage, which I did around 6 last night!,, And,, as usual,, before referring to anything else,, I came straight onto here for advice
Chris