Gauge illumination again......

expat · 02-03-2002, 01:45 AM

How do you replace the bulbs in the speedo gauge? They are different bulbs from the other gauges. I have two separate wires, a blue and a white which seem to line up with the dark area of my gauge (top). Each wire is somehow joined to red plastic 'plugs' of some sort. These 'plugs' are then held in place by what looks like a circlip but I've tried budging the clip but it don't move.

Have I got the right wires for the two top bulbs? How do I remove them? Is the circlip looking thing supposed to be pried off?

I've searched previous posts but no specific info on this.

Thankyou.
Cheers
Mark

EDIT: Sorry meant to saw the car is a 87 Carrera.

Eric Coffey · 02:09 AM

Just the mounting sleave/barrel is different for those ones. The sockets and bulbs are the same. You need to either get a really thin tool/screwdriver and work it under the barrel lip, or find a pair of pliers that can get enough "purchase" on the entire lip, and gently wiggle the barrel out. There might be a better method, or specific tool, but that has always worked for me.

expat · 02-03-2002, 02:38 AM

Thanks Eric.

So am I sliding a circlip off or just prying the lip upwards? Sorry to appear so dumb but it just doesn't seem to want to budge.

Thanks again,
Cheers
Mark

steve911 · steve911's Garage

Mark-
I believe you're just prying the whole unit out - I had the same question myself and got the following answer from the guys North Hollywood Speedo:
The speedometer illumination light sockets can be removed from the speedometer's case by using a small screwdriver and prying them loose. These sockets have no flat spade terminal but just a wire sticking out. The bulb has a bayonet type socket 12 V, 2W.

And from Palo Alto Speedometer:
These light sockets do remove from the back of the speedometer, you do not need to disassemble the instrument. Use a small screwdriver to get between the back of the speedometer case, and the rim of the light socket and pry it up. It looks like it does not come out, but it does ( it is very tight).

Eric Coffey · 02-03-2002, 01:04 PM

Just like Steve mentioned/quoted. The "circlip" is not removeable, and is actually just the lip of the bulb carrier/barrel. So, run a thin flat screwdriver across the back of the gauge case, until you hit the lip. That is where you want to pry (not on the inside of the lip). Hope that isn't too confusing!

expat · 02-03-2002, 08:51 PM

Cool.....got it

Thanks heaps

Cheers
Mark