Dead Dash Bulbs

[Ro_torque]

Pies post the other day concerning dash refitting was excellent. However, I have a number of supplementary questions:

1. Do you have remove the dash to replace dead bulbs in the instruments, i.e. clock and rev counter etc?

2. Can you replace the bulbs with LEDs on a sort of fit and forget basis. A number of my diplay bulbs have gone and if I have to take the dash out a) I will leave it to the winter and b) only want to do it once!

[rzrz]

Under your dash undo the nuts that keep the steering column attached to the frame. The steering column will "fall" down onto the seat. Now the back side of your dash instruments is accessible and replacing bulbs is peanuts.

[ro_torque]

rzrz said:

Under your dash undo the nuts that keep the steering column attached to the frame. The steering column will "fall" down onto the seat. Now the back side of your dash instruments is accessible and replacing bulbs is peanuts.

Excellent! Thanks.

[shmern]

Ro_torque said:

2. Can you replace the bulbs with LEDs on a sort of fit and forget basis. A number of my diplay bulbs have gone and if I have to take the dash out a) I will leave it to the winter and b) only want to do it once!

I've often wondered the same thing ! But it was just low on my list so never looked into it, Anyone ?

Shmern

[WildfireS3]

No idea, but replacing the heaters fibre optic jobbise with coloured LED would be good, but alas I am a electriacal numpty. Maybe KentishS2 could shed some light. He seems to be pretty good on the old electrical front.

Kevin?

[KentishS2]

My heater controls are not illuminated at all (S2 that is) perhaps different on the S3?

Sounds OK to use LEDs instead, very little current required and a very very long life.

I decided a while ago to replace my instrument lights with coloured green LEDs when one of the bulbs blow but alas, none have blown yet!

Yo can now buy most car type instrument bulbs in LED units so a straight swap is possible.

Don't use them in your external lights (stop/tail etc) because they are not legal. The reason being that they are a narrow field light emission and therefore cannot be seen from acute angles and they do not project light from the lamp units reflector, hence an MOT failure.

[ro_torque]

KentishS2 said:

My heater controls are not illuminated at all (S2 that is) perhaps different on the S3? Sounds OK to use LEDs instead, very little current required and a very very long life. I decided a while ago to replace my instrument lights with coloured green LEDs when one of the bulbs blow but alas, none have blown yet! Yo can now buy most car type instrument bulbs in LED units so a straight swap is possible. Don't use them in your external lights (stop/tail etc) because they are not legal. The reason being that they are a narrow field light emission and therefore cannot be seen from acute angles and they do not project light from the lamp units reflector, hence an MOT failure.

Thanks for the foregoing. I have managed to source the LEDs for the display lights. As you say the company reckons that it is a straight swap. I am tempted just to take them all out and do it anyway.

I really fancy blue dash display lights.

[shmern]

ro_torque said:

Thanks for the foregoing. I have managed to source the LEDs for the display lights. As you say the company reckons that it is a straight swap. I am tempted just to take them all out and do it anyway. I really fancy blue dash display lights.

Keep us updated on this ! Sounds good !

Shmern

[s1.5f]

ro_torque said:

I really fancy blue dash display lights.

Me Too - goes with the alloy bezels! where did you source them?

>> Edited by s1.5f on Wednesday 16th March 14:54

[ro_torque]

s1.5f said:

ro_torque said: I really fancy blue dash display lights. Me Too - goes with the alloy bezels! where did you source them? >> Edited by s1.5f on Wednesday 16th March 14:54

You have alloy bezels!! Where from (if you don't mind me asking)? I notice you have metallic blue as well. Excellent choice.

The site is www.aceparts.com/

LMK how you get on.

Cheers