S3 dash removal

[SteveOS3]

I have 4 instrument lights that have failed over time and now I'm taking the plunge and replacing them. I've read the chapter in the Steve Heath book on dash removal, is it really as easy as two bolts and drop forward?
I would appreciate any tips/problems encountered by anyone who has had an S3 dash out too!!

Also, are the bulbs readily available in Halfords etc....? I ask because my other car is a 1997 Ford Scorpio and I failed to get an A/C lightbulb from any Ford dealer or Motor Factor. Eventually a very kind manager at Osram asked me to send him a photo of the bulb then dug deep into obsolete stock to send me a pack of four replacements.

Many thanks,

Steve

[ketvrin]

which bulbs have gone Steve ?

instrument backlighting or the Warning Lights ?

also please take a look at this WIKI and add your details Steve

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

K

Edited by ketvrin on Friday 13th June 16:11

[tinks v8S]

yes had y dash out over winter
which as above, bulbs gone
6 bolts hold dash on

[SteveOS3]

Ketvrin,

The Voltmeter light is gone - I thought the tacho and speedo had bulbs gone too because only the sides of these seem to be illuminated, the bottoms of the instruments are unlit. I read on another post that there are only two bulbs in these anyway. Is this correct?

I've added my details to the list.

Thanks for the advice,

Steve

[tvrgit]

Don't know how easy the dash is to take out but...

I changed my speedo and rev counter bulbs by dropping the steering column so that I could get my hand up behind the dash. Worked for me and seemed a lot quicker.

[SteveOS3]

Can you remember how bulbs there were TVTGit? I don't want to start to find that there are only two bulbs anyway!!

Thanks,

Steve

[Sweet Thunder]

The speedo and tacho on my S2 have two bulbs each (one left and one right). They're "5 watt wedgebase bulbs, type 5W5". Available at every motor factors, halfords etc.

Edited to say on the S2 dash I got them out without removing either the dash or dropping the steering collumn. They're easy to find by feel:Get your hand behind the dash and find two short metal tubes, with a plastic bulb holder and two seperate wires sticking out of each instrument housing. The bulbholder is a push fit, so they pull out, although they might need some twisting if they're stiff. Don't try to pull out the thick rubbery lead that comes out of the lower side of the instrument, as this is the electrical connection for the instrument itself.

If you can't get at the instruments as described, I would drop the steering collumn as suggested earlier.

Edited by Sweet Thunder on Saturday 14th June 14:52

[SteveOS3]

Thanks Thunder, as there are only two bulbs I guess I'll get used to bright sides and a 'dim' section of the speedo/tacho at the bottom - I thought there may be a bulb gone there.

Only the voltmeter bulb to change now but I don't think that can be done without removing the dash unless anyone knows different?? Too late in the day now - off for a spin while the sun's still out.

Many thanks to all who replied/advised.

Steve

[paul.deitch]

don't remove the dash for this. you'll end up regreting the amount of time it takes-i'm speaking from experience. its easy to change ALL bulbs without dash removal, but you might want to pull the bottom of the dash forward, put one of those rubber ropes on it to hold it out to get easier access. then bob's your uncle.

[tvrgit]

This shows mine with one dud bulb.



It does look from that as there might be 3 bulbs but I'm sure there's only 2. Can't remember though

[ketvrin]

tvrgit said:

It does look from that as there might be 3 bulbs but I'm sure there's only 2. Can't remember though

I think theres only the two in each... heres my rev counter back...



K

[Philthefinger]

Had my dash out recently but real pig of a job avoid unless absolutely need to. two bulbs per instrument but one for clock. Bought green bulb paint for mine as rubber boots had perished.

Drop steering column take off steering wheel and feel around. Should be OK