Let There Be Light-Gauge Bulb Replacement

[FL911SC]

Recently I upgraded the bulbs in the gauges of my ‘79 Targa to LED bulbs. This is a simple project, but for guys like me who didn’t grow up around cars, some guidance and a few photos are always helpful.

The goal for me was to replace the gauge illumination bulbs, the bright lights indicator, and the running lights indicator. I did not replace the turn signal, oil pressure, or generator bulbs since LEDs are not advised in these locations.

One more point to note is that I had to remove both my Momo steering wheel and the hub adapter to get the tachometer out. I would imagine that if you have a stock wheel it would be possible to get the tach out without removing the steering wheel, but it may still be a tight squeeze.

All of the gauges are friction fit, meaning there is no hardware holding them in. It is a tight fit so you will need a good grip and a little twist motion but they will come out just by pulling on them.
That said, I started with the clock and before putting it back in the hole, I reached in an pushed the speedometer from the back. I repeated this for each gauge and that made the whole process much much easier. Even with the steering wheel and hub adapter off, the tachometer was still difficult. It required some finesse and I had to push up with firm force on the dash’s eyebrow, but it did eventually come out.

Steps for me were:
1) Remove the steering wheel and hub adapter and cover horn wire so it doesn’t short and scare the heck out of you. (Don’t forget to mark the spline before pulling the hub adapter off)
2) With a firm hold pull the clock bezel while giving a gentle twist PULL until it is out.
3) With a small screw driver, pry up the top ring of the bulb socket until you and grab it with your fingers. Illumination bulbs had black/blue wire for all gauges in my car.
4) Push in and twist the old bulb until it comes out.
5) Insert new bulb, quarter turn and ensure it is seated properly.
6) I turned the lights after each gauge to ensure the bulbs were seated and working.
7) Reach in and push out the next gauge before reinstalling the current one.
8) Repeat for each gauge
9) Reinstall steering wheel.

I will admit that I had second thoughts on posting this because this is such a simple task. But it would have made me a bit easier before I started to have read something like this, so here it is.

Before


Speedometer



Tach


Oil Pressure and Generator

After and what a difference!

[kerthunk]

Nice write up! What kind of LED bulbs did you use? Any links to where you bought them?

[Gemballa2006]

I think thats great and I really appreciate the pics and description. Would you mind telling us what bulbs you used. This may be a weekend project for me right now, looks great, Thanks

[Rekoob]

+1! looks really good, this has been a project ive been putting off for some time now. perhaps this will give me the motivation i need!

[FL911SC]

Thank you for the positive feedback so far. I am happy that the post will be helpful.

I purchased the bulbs from Pelican member Etarga. You can get the full story in this thread: Ultimate LED.

He offers several bulb choices so you can get the look you want. I went with the Ultra White and like them because they are bright and a good color temperature for me. In other words, they are good and white without any blue hue or tint to them. He is easy to work with and guarantees the bulbs for 2 years as well.

May your flag be green...

[froggert]

fwiw, i have a momo steering wheel and adapter and am able to get the tach in and out without removing them. it's a very tight fit and requires pushing up on the dash, but doable on my car.

[911S Targa]

Nice !!!!

[Hydrocket]

Well done!!

[kidrock]

nice write-up, thanks!!! Looks great, too.

[rinverso]

that was any awesome write up. I have replaced all my bulbs with etarga LED's. but could not get the tach out past the hub. I'll give it another try this weekend. do you need to remove the center nut on the steering column to get the hub off?. thanks again.

[vulcan300]

Originally Posted by rinverso

that was any awesome write up. I have replaced all my bulbs with etarga LED's. but could not get the tach out past the hub. I'll give it another try this weekend. do you need to remove the center nut on the steering column to get the hub off?. thanks again.

I had to remove the steering wheel and plastic housing around the column to get the tech out.

[FL911SC]

Originally Posted by rinverso

that was any awesome write up. I have replaced all my bulbs with etarga LED's. but could not get the tach out past the hub. I'll give it another try this weekend. do you need to remove the center nut on the steering column to get the hub off?. thanks again.

rinverso - Yes, I had to remove the center nut to get the hub off. That said, let me remind you that I have a Momo wheel with the accompanying hub adapter. I see there are some who haven't had to remove their wheel or hub. However, from you response I assume yours is like mine. There are several write ups on removing the hub, but it is pretty straight forward. You will need something to brace the hub (e.g. long breaker bar) and then back the nut off. DO NOT USE THE STEERING LOCK TO BRACE THE HUB AND LOOSEN THE NUT. Pull and wiggle the hub until it comes off. Just before it comes off, stop and mark the hub and spline so you put it back on the same spline. If I remember right, the torque for that 27mm nut is 36 ft/lbs but please double check that. Lastly, note that even with the hub out of the way, it was still a tight squeeze getting the tach out. You will need to push up on the dash with a good deal of force, but it will come out

Good luck with it.

[steenkamp]

Originally Posted by kerthunk

Nice write up! What kind of LED bulbs did you use? Any links to where you bought them?

Here in Germany they are called BA7 LED (white).

Guido

[mazing3]

Thanks for the write up. Glad you did it. Did the LEDs come with the bulb holders in your pics or were they the originals. Mine are a little, well... Mangled and/or missing due to a previous project that evolved into a "learning experience."

[AJ's 911]

FS911SC

Thanks for the great instructions! I can't wait to install a set of LED lights I just ordered from ETarga. Since my car is primarily a weekend car, I don't find myself driving at night, but when I do I always tell myself that I should improve the dash/ gauge illumination. Next will be my headlights!