Club 80-90 Forums

I could be wrong but I think the lighting wiring on my dash console is not OEM!

Anyone have any photos showing what the lampholders etc should look like?

Appreciated

They're OEM alright. What normally happens is the PCB flaps over those holes in the plastic bulbholders. Tthe bayonet-style bulb goes through this PCB into those holders andstwists to make contact with the PCB. Its very difficult to find the right placement for aftermarket affair.

Should look like these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Dash-Light ... 234bda7c1f" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

OK - so I take it part of my PCB is missing then?! I've just had a look through a box of spares I got with the van and found a couple of the bulbs you mention in a bag! I guess someone thought about doing this some years ago!

Question is - can I actually connect them without the missing PCB or can those bulbs be soldered into a makeshift bulbholder? What do u reckon?

Ah - cheers marlinowner - exactly what I needed to see. Looks like the PCB ribbon is missing on mine then!!

Could be tricky as you'll need to hardwire them and original bulbholders don't lend themselves to that too well. The altarnative might be to araldite some bulb holders in place.

Unfortunately, I think I can safely say it won't be pretty!

Found these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sidelight-Pil ... 25a0a03d83" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Might be an option but will 5w be too powerful!?!

Ideally you want dimmable bulbs so the brightness adjusts with the wheel on the light switch. Maybe strip back some wire, flatten end, apply solder and then glue in position so original type bulbs will make contact (or something similar)?

I am wondering why you are looking at sidelight and exterior bulbs - you need instrument bulbs that are 3w or less. (usually around 1.2w ones)
I am not certain what you have on the end of the added wiring - are the black pieces the bulbholders or what are they? If they are bulbholders (which certainly seems like this was the intention of the previous owner) surely all you need is bulbs to suit.
Such as:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw= ... =&_sacat=0

Oldiebut goodie wrote:I am wondering why you are looking at sidelight and exterior bulbs - you need instrument bulbs that are 3w or less. (usually around 1.2w ones)
I am not certain what you have on the end of the added wiring - are the black pieces the bulbholders or what are they? If they are bulbholders (which certainly seems like this was the intention of the previous owner) surely all you need is bulbs to suit.
Such as:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw= ... =&_sacat=0

Yes - black pieces are bulbholders. I have now 'chopped out' the leds from the original bulbholders and they fit ok (and work!) when slotted in. The main reason for the thread was to tidy it up and retrofit something more original but for the time being that will do!
Cheers for input all.