Instrument Cluster Lighting - Fuel Gauge

househead · July 10, 2019, 10:32

I replaced my instrument cluster bulbs with these (clear) ones on ebay...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-x-T5-286-12v-1-2w-Blue-Clear-Amber-Orange-Dashboard-Bulbs/171735288092?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=470692049403&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Everything looks great however my fuel gauge doesn't light up. I am unsure if this was always like that (I've not let it get very low since doing the change). I'd expect to be able to see it lit up though.

Can someone check for me if this lights up when fuel is (almost) full?

I still have my original bulbs so I guess I could put one of those back.

StuC · July 10, 2019, 10:39

Might have to wait until it's dark!

StuC · July 10, 2019, 10:40

@househead this any help?

househead · July 10, 2019, 10:51

Hmm, so it *should* light up.

I'll chuck one of the old ones back in. Probably just a dud bulb. Thanks Stu

tony=m= · July 10, 2019, 10:58

yeah i ordered the same bulbs of ebay and two out of the ten was duds so i ended up putting one of the orignals back in

also if anyone wants to fit led bulbs where the heater controls are theses below fit and are quite bright

mr t charges £16 for the two bulbs behind the heater controls

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-2-10x-T4-7-1SMD-5050-LED-Car-Wedge-Bulbs-Dashboard-Lights-Instrument-Lamps-12V/123660393735?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=424249180863&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

househead · July 10, 2019, 11:31

Quote from: tony=m= on July 10, 2019, 10:58yeah i ordered the same bulbs of ebay and two out of the ten was duds so i ended up putting one of the orignals back in

also if anyone wants to fit led bulbs where the heater controls are theses below fit and are quite bright mr t charges £16 for the two bulbs behind the heater controls

Thanks for verifying, at less than £2 for 10, I'll just grab some more

Re: the heater bulbs ... just the white ones yea?

tony=m= · July 10, 2019, 11:33

yeah i ordered the white but got the blue for some reason but they fit perfect and are nice and bright

Topdownman · July 10, 2019, 11:35

If some of your ebay ones didnt work, just contact them, they should send out some more foc to preserve their ratings if nothing else.

househead · July 10, 2019, 11:39

Quote from: Topdownman on July 10, 2019, 11:35If some of your ebay ones didnt work, just contact them, they should send out some more foc to preserve their ratings if nothing else.

I thought about that but at the price and to save hassle (and the chances of replacements being dud) I just grabbed another 10. From what I can tell only 1 of my original 10 was dud. If anyone else buys them and gets duds, let me know and I'll post out spares to people or bring them to next meet (Shindig south for me probs).

markevo6 · July 11, 2019, 16:44

How involved is it to swap out all the bulbs including the heater ones , seems like a nice little mod to do

househead · July 11, 2019, 16:59

Can't speak for the heater ones but the instrument cluster is super easy. You need 10 of them. There's 11 holders but one is empty.

Lower your steering wheel, pop out the plastic binnacle around the gauges, then it's 3 screws to take out and one plug to undo. Swap bulbs and put it back together. 10min job

Ardent · July 11, 2019, 17:01

Not done the heater ones. But the binnicle is easy peasy.
Gently prize pull off the bicycle with your hands no tools required.
Under 3x Phillips screws.
Wiggle dash towards you. Unplug the 3 connectors.
I took mine inside an done it on the worktop.
Remove 8? Small Phillips screws. Remove large white plastice cover.
The bulb holders are less than a 1/4 turn to release.
The hardest bit is pulling the bulb out of the holder.

StuC · July 11, 2019, 18:36

@Ardent did you install the bicycle when you were at Carolyn's? I must have missed that!

Ardent · July 11, 2019, 18:58

Note to self.
Turn off auto correct.

StuC · July 11, 2019, 22:08

@Ardent sorry mate, couldn't resist that one. Lol.

m1tch · July 30, 2019, 16:06

Just be aware that LEDs will only work one way - perhaps just try turning the bulb around in the holder and see if that works.

househead · July 30, 2019, 16:41

Quote from: m1tch on July 30, 2019, 16:06Just be aware that LEDs will only work one way - perhaps just try turning the bulb around in the holder and see if that works.

Yup ... the linked instrument ones above aren't LED's tho

Just dud incandescents!

The heater ones some of us bought are LEDs tho ... Not done those yet I just have no idea how to fit them!

m1tch · September 12, 2019, 12:47

Quote from: househead on July 30, 2019, 16:41
Quote from: m1tch on July 30, 2019, 16:06Just be aware that LEDs will only work one way - perhaps just try turning the bulb around in the holder and see if that works.

Yup ... the linked instrument ones above aren't LED's tho Just dud incandescents!

The heater ones some of us bought are LEDs tho ... Not done those yet I just have no idea how to fit them!

Its very easy to get to - pull off the heater knobs, there are a couple of screws behind them and it should just unclip. The heater control board is all in one, when I had mine off a while back I can see it has the same sort of holders as the instruments so it should be easy to swap them out.