Replacing Main headlamp indicator on dashboard

Post by **campervankatie** » 26 Nov 2008, 16:13

The little LED type bulb that lights up on my dashboard, when my headlamps are used on full beam has burnt out. I tried to buy a replacement from my local VW garage to no avail. Any ideas where I can get one of these little bulbs. From memeory its in a little white holder and was a pig to remove. I never know if I'm driving dipped or full.
Thanks Katie
PS I have looked in Wiki

Post by **VWCamperfan** » 26 Nov 2008, 16:26

What colour is yours, blue or orange?
If its blue then its not an LED, its a normal lamp with a blue sleeve over it but if it's orange then this is an LED and a replacement can be got from Maplins or other electrical stores that sell component parts.

Ps. If its an LED make sure you put it in the right way round as they are polarity sensitive and only work one way.

Post by **windysurfer** » 26 Nov 2008, 17:03

don't be tempted to fit a blue LED as they're to bright

Post by **phredd** » 26 Nov 2008, 17:51

Have a look at this link >>>>>

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... highlight=

I think all you will need to know is there.

MY BLUE LED is still working with no problems and it is not to bright. Same intensity as the green indicator led's.

Phredd

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 26 Nov 2008, 17:59

A replacement lamp (blue LED) can be fitted if resistor on flexi-pcb is changed for suitable value for LED and its dipped in black paint first. I agree it would be too bright otherwise. For months my face lit up blue everytime I went to full beam which gave a spooky scene for other drivers. Black paint seemed to solve it.

Alternatively I guess you could increase value of resistor to reduce LED brightness a little but black paint worked for me.

Post by **phredd** » 26 Nov 2008, 19:37

CovKid wrote:A replacement lamp (blue LED) can be fitted if resistor on flexi-pcb is changed for suitable value for LED and its dipped in black paint first. I agree it would be too bright otherwise. For months my face lit up blue everytime I went to full beam which gave a spooky scene for other drivers. Black paint seemed to solve it.

Alternatively I guess you could increase value of resistor to reduce LED brightness a little but black paint worked for me.

Obiviously you did not read the link abve :-

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... highlight=

I have had mine in for a few months: It is blue: It is NOT bright and has not been dipped into any dark colour paint and I did NOT have to change the resistor.
Maplins sell TWO blue led's , on of them is bright the other is ok to use.
Its the THREE mm one you need.

phredd

Post by **windysurfer** » 26 Nov 2008, 19:48

don't suppose you've got a link to the exact one used have you Phredd as there's loads on Maplins site

cheers

GAz

Post by **phredd** » 26 Nov 2008, 20:05

windysurferuk wrote:don't suppose you've got a link to the exact one used have you Phredd as there's loads on Maplins site

cheers

GAz

Gaz
Unfortunatly no.
From what I can remember Maplins only sell two blue led's:= 1 was 4mm from what I can remeber. It's the 3mm one you need.

Thats the best I can do for the moment: Sorry

Phredd

in E D I T >>> it may be a 5mm and not a 4 as above.

Post by **windysurfer** » 26 Nov 2008, 20:09

Cheers Phredd

I'll pop in next time I'm passing Maplins and get a 3mm one

Gaz

Post by **AngeloEvs** » 26 Nov 2008, 21:42

Unless the LED is rated at 12V you will overcurrent the replacement and it will most certainly fail at some point in the future. A 3mm 12V Blue or White LED can be used with the existing filter cap. Alternatively (or if you lose the filter cap) then fit a 5mm Standard Blue Diffused LED (Maplin code JA24B) and replace the resistor with a 10K (as shown below) by snipping the existing 100ohm resistor close to the body, wire wrap the new one and finally solder the joints. The High Beam LED will now be at the correct 'tel tale' brightness as can be seen below and will probably outlast the van.

[img:307:264]http://muchos.co.uk/members/Evangeluse/snip2wp.jpg[/img]

[img:500:375]http://muchos.co.uk/members/Evangeluse/nightled.jpg[/img]

Post by **windysurfer** » 26 Nov 2008, 21:52

I've still got the cap but removed it to allow my current LED to be fitted so I think I'll go with the 12v 3mm and replace my cap. I need to wear shades when I put my full bean on now

Post by **campervankatie** » 26 Nov 2008, 22:28

Thanks Phredd, the information in your link seems very clear. It must be at least 3 or 4 years since I took out the bulb at fault, at the time neither local VW garages had replacements and I didnt know about club 80 - 90.

I 've just looked at my van - the sleeve/ housing is blue. The original little bulb is not an LED but a bulb in a white OSRAM sleeve. On closer inspection the bulb does not look like it has blown. I'll try buying an LED from Maplins but in the meantime could anything else cause the bulb not to light up.
Thanks Katie

Post by **VWCamperfan** » 26 Nov 2008, 23:20

Possibly the conector at the rear of the dashboard could have been loose or slightly corroded. Check the blue and white wire going into the connector and the connection attached to it.

Post by **phredd** » 27 Nov 2008, 09:31

If you have the small blue sleve leave it in by all means.
It will dim the led down further with no problems.

Post by **Tex Ritter** » 28 Nov 2008, 17:06

Had the same problem, got a new bulb from my local VW people cost about £4 inc. postage, seems OK, but it is a little duller than the original.

TR

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Replacing Main headlamp indicator on dashboard

Replacing Main headlamp indicator on dashboard

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