Dash Bulbs

[Rusty-Bretta]

I am looking for replacement bulbs for my speedo/rev dash board lights; any idea of the bulb type/no or even a stockist, i've been told they are of an odd design....ta muchly

[jamesc76]

brickwerks sell um and jk

[Aidan]

and VW oddly enough, and I have them in stock, not cheap mind, but they generally last longer than domestic light bulbs

[slamdunk]

I have replaced mine with blue LEDs, 2 hyperbright 5mm blue LEDs and a 1k Ohm 1/4 Watt resistor all in series works a treat.

Slam

[Rusty-Bretta]

Doh! off to the vw dealer then..... i never fail to suprise myself....

[gypo]

I have replaced mine with blue LEDs, 2 hyperbright 5mm blue LEDs and a 1k Ohm 1/4 Watt resistor all in series works a treat.

Slam

any chance you could give me a bit more info on this, i changed the bulbs last year for blue led,s but they aren't very bright. first ive heard of the resistor? does this make them brighter?
cheers
G

[tonytech]

The resistor limits the current flowing through the LED.
Most LEDs require the current to be about 20 or 30mA. connecting them to a voltage greater than 3 or 4 volts will destroy them.
Some LEDs already have a resistor built in to enable them to work from 12v
As your LEDs are still working you probably have the 12V type.
Have you removed the dimmer wheel? What voltage are you getting at the LED terminals?

T

[gypo]

The resistor limits the current flowing through the LED.
Most LEDs require the current to be about 20 or 30mA. connecting them to a voltage greater than 3 or 4 volts will destroy them.
Some LEDs already have a resistor built in to enable them to work from 12v
As your LEDs are still working you probably have the 12V type.
Have you removed the dimmer wheel? What voltage are you getting at the LED terminals?

T

not sure what voltage im getting but i will check, what does removing the dimmer wheel do?
cheers
G

[tonytech]

If it is working the dimmer wheel varies the voltage to the instrument lights. after 20+ years the dimmers rarely work properly so you may not be getting the full 12v to the bulbs.

T

[gypo]

Cheers Tony ill check it and get back to you
G

[gypo]

ive just had the switch out any ideas which wires are the dimmer please mate so i can by pass the switch?
cheers
G

[Dokamper]

I just bought a 1990 Doka yesterday. First experience with VW.
Have to say I hate the gauges. Dim and hard to read, and that big ugly clock which gets in the way of reading the temp and diesel status.

I'm interested in doing what slamdunk did and put blue LEDs in instead. Think I'm gonna break off the needles for the clock and paint over anything clock related, leaving only a clear view of the temp and diesel status.
When I drove it home last night, there were no lights working for the fan switches and such things. They are supposed to be lighted, right? If so, I'm thinking of putting more of those blue LEDs in to get a uniform colour scheme. Has anyone done this?

[Dokamper]

http://www.m-99.co.uk/Car_Neon_LED_Ligh ... bulbs.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
These will work, wont they? How many will I need if I want to use them for the speedo and clock gauges, plus the heater adjustments knobs? Are there any more knobs and switches that should be lighted? My dash is pretty much all dark...

[gypo]

http://www.m-99.co.uk/Car_Neon_LED_Ligh ... bulbs.html
These will work, wont they? How many will I need if I want to use them for the speedo and clock gauges, plus the heater adjustments knobs? Are there any more knobs and switches that should be lighted? My dash is pretty much all dark...

Im sure these are the ones i bought, you will need to take them apart and solder them back into the original holders. Its not too hard a job.
Also you will need 4 in total, 3 for the dash pod and 1 for the heater. Also you can find a walkthru here
G

[Timwhy]

You do not have to modify LEDs to make them fit your needs. There are models that are a direct fit and they are plug and play. Read this thread and later in the thread it will be explained. There are LEDs for every application of lighting in your van available.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto ... bright+led