84 944 Shift Light

[rporzio]

Does the dash have to come out to replace the up shift indicator light bulb?

[jcommin]

I got an 83 with no upshift light. Don't know where it is either. But if it is in the gauge cluster, all you need to take out is the gage itself. However it isn't hard to remove the cluster in total. Good time to check all the other dash lights too.

[ERAU944]

the dash doesn't have to come out... unless you're talking about the gauge cluster. if you like you can remove the tach only... but i believe that the tach has to be taken apart to replace the shift light. thankfully i don't know from experience.

Mike

[rporzio]

Sorry, I meant does the cluster have to come out?

[bearone2]

yes

[JivenJim]

Shift light is for fuel econ and is stupid in my eyes. But If you really want to know when to shift at 4k RPM's

http://www.clarks-garage.com/
search ELECT-06, Removing Early 944 Gauges

I'd just buy a autometer tach with a real shift light. But that's alot more work and $.

Good luck

[ERAU944]

the shift light tells you 2 things

1. when to shift for maximum economy (if you drive properly you never see it)

2. it's also supposed to come on at the top of the rev band when you've reached max HP

you don't HAVE to take out the whole cluster, but it won't be easy to remove the gauge unless you have very small hands. you'll have to disconnect both of the gauge lights (careful, they break easily) and the connections from the wiring harness and the speedometer. there is also an extra ground tab on the back of the gauge IIRC, it might be on the speedometer.

the tough part will be prying the gauge housing apart to get to the burned out light. it would be easier to buy a good used one.

[jcommin]

Clarks has a very good write up on removing the cluster. Mike is correct in stating you need small and nimble hands to remove one gauge. I think removing the cluster gives you more room to work in. It is a patient job: need to take your time.

One more question: I have an 83 and looked for an upshift light. Where is it. I usually make my shifts at 4000rpm. I find that that is a very good shift point in every gear.

[ERAU944]

if your car had the light it would be in the middle of the tachometer.

the computer uses many factors to determine the need to shift, including load, engine rpm, and throttle position. the light doesn't come on at a specific rpm, unless i'm already letting up by that rpm. i don't ever see the light anymore, since how i drive dictates that it doesn't come on - i'm either accelerating (moderately or fully) or cruising in 5th, neither of which will cause the light to come on.

lots of people complain about the light 'coming on all the time' and that's because their driving style means they could be driving more efficiently, thats all! it's a waste to be in a lower gear if you're not going to be using it to accelerate, so the light says to shift up. moderate acceleration to cruise works fine, i normally get 25-30 mpg this way.

so, if you have the light and see it a lot: stop driving like a grandma. it's more efficient to accelerate more agressively to cruise and be at cruise for a longer time.

[bearone2]

clarks garage is down right now.

[svandamme]

if i had such a light, i'de open up the gauge cluster just to turn the bloody thing off