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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 94
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Dimmer switch broken?
My dash lights are really dim on the 1986 928. I checked and all 3 light bulbs are good but when I turn the wheel on the dimmer nothing happens. I pulled both yellow wires off the dimmer and removed it and the light still stay the same. Is this normal that the lights would still light after unplugging them from the dimmer? Any way to test the switch before I buy another? Thanks
 Nel
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07-29-2009, 05:19 PM
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Petie3rd
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Philly PA
Posts: 4,528
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ahh there are 2 dimmers under the pod so you may have removed the speed selector for the wiper delay
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^^^ Stan ^^^ 2019 BMW K1250 GS 2016 HD RK 1988 S4 Auto , Elfenbein Perlglanz, Pearl Gray 1982 5sp Met black and tan sport seats |
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07-29-2009, 06:12 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 511
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Dimmer's on the left, right?
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1982 928 S Euro 5 speed |
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07-29-2009, 06:53 PM
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Petie3rd
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Philly PA
Posts: 4,528
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light dimmer is left of the steering column and the speed selector for the wiper delay is on the right, also there are 2 push buttons if so equipped . or just one
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^^^ Stan ^^^ 2019 BMW K1250 GS 2016 HD RK 1988 S4 Auto , Elfenbein Perlglanz, Pearl Gray 1982 5sp Met black and tan sport seats |
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07-29-2009, 07:10 PM
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Yep you guys are right. Duh
no wonder why the lights were not dimming.... Ok I have the cover off still and will check to see if I can find it on the left side of the steering collumn. Yes there is a little button on the right side right near the wiper delay which is for the headlight washers I believe. Thanks again guys and Ill keep you posted if my dimmer is still there.
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07-29-2009, 09:52 PM
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Petie3rd
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Philly PA
Posts: 4,528
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the little button is for the windshield washer intensive wash, ( it runs the small tank/pump) and activates the wipers.
To run the headlight washers turn on the lights then push the washer stalk to the front of the car. If you can get your hands on the owners manual it will tell you how all of the different systems work
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^^^ Stan ^^^ 2019 BMW K1250 GS 2016 HD RK 1988 S4 Auto , Elfenbein Perlglanz, Pearl Gray 1982 5sp Met black and tan sport seats |
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07-30-2009, 02:47 AM
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Network Native
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SoCal
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Quote:
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US 83 zinc metallic 5 spd, aka the nice car. Euro 85 black, 5 spd, the fast rough track car maybe car. SOLD Euro 84 red, AT, only car in garage in years, my parts car, soon to go last 7 years. |
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07-30-2009, 09:11 AM
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Now I know why I could not find the dimmer switch...because someone removed it and its not there any longer
What I found up behind the cover is where someone took a black wire(on one side of a butt connector) and then took a blue wire with a black stripe and a black wire with a blue stripe on the other side of the connector and crimped them together. Does this sound like the correct dimmer color wires for an 86? By doing this the way they did would my light be dim or at there max when lit up on the dash? Thanks again guys Nel
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07-30-2009, 04:24 PM
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Moderator
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If that's the wires for your dimmer, then it would max the light up. I am sure you have the problem most other people have. The reflector in your Pod is dull and not shiny anymore, thus not reflecting your bulbs back to your instruments. I am having the same issue. Next time I get into my Pod, this is what I will fix. My lights are also very very dim.
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1981 Porsche 928 "Euro" Auto Gunsmoke Metallic Flat - Black Interior 1983 Porsche 928S "US" Auto Light Bronze (Copper) Metallic - Brown Interior **SOLD** 
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07-30-2009, 04:31 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 94
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Hello, Ok I think I understand the concept of the dimmer. Correct me if Im wrong. By the dimmer being bypassed and now the dimmer wires being connected together the lights are as bright as they are going to get and the dimmer would only make them "dimmer" correct? Thanks for the help
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07-30-2009, 06:51 PM
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 721
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Yes. The dimmer pot can only drop voltage.
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07-30-2009, 07:06 PM
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