Dash lights

[Fast Freddy 944]

Do I have to pull my steering wheel to access the back of the guage cluster, my lights are dim and I want an easy fix. Also my volt meter seems go top out at the top of the gague and it jumps down, bad gague?

[Fast Freddy 944]

17 looks, 0 answers, hmmm...

[kdjones2000]

'86 usually don't require you to pull the steering wheel, but it's easier to do so.

Airbag cars need the wheel removed.

Who knows about your gauge, could be bad connections, broken flex PC board as well.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by kdjones2000

'86 usually don't require you to pull the steering wheel, but it's easier to do so.

Airbag cars need the wheel removed.

Who knows about your gauge, could be bad connections, broken flex PC board as well.

Thank you for the response kd! Yeup ill put in some new bulbs, its an 86 951 and it gets pretty dark and night. Ill check out the wiring on that gague. I reads full blast, then it dropps to below 10, sometimes I get that warning light but it come on and goes off. Its a night mare to replace the alternator as you know. So as everybody with issues, I hope its the easy fix.Thank again1

[nize]

i don't think it's a bulb; the 951 has some silver foil paint on the back that helps the fiber optics reflect light so it's brighter, and that paint degrades over time. i recall reading a how-to instructions on fixing it yourself, but don't have the time to dig it up right now. you might want to try googling around and post what you find here.

[soxnail]

Check out the lights section in this thread....
Sox
Couple of helpful hints

[Fast Freddy 944]

Wow, thats pretty cool, Thanks gang....

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by nize

i don't think it's a bulb; the 951 has some silver foil paint on the back that helps the fiber optics reflect light so it's brighter, and that paint degrades over time. i recall reading a how-to instructions on fixing it yourself, but don't have the time to dig it up right now. you might want to try googling around and post what you find here.

Should I paint the silver foil part? Silly question, but i drive with my dome light on, LOL!

[Peter Graham]

Originally Posted by Fast Freddy 944

Should I paint the silver foil part? Silly question, but i drive with my dome light on, LOL!

I went through this process a couple of years ago and found helpful info (I cannot provide links to original sources). I did the following:

• Clean the light pipes of all old coating using acetone-free nail polish remover. It's a PITA but it works without damaging the plastic; acetone will damage plastic.
• Wrap the cleaned light pipes with self-adhesive aluminum tape (used for HVAC duct work; this is my mod).
• Install LED bulbs.

I do not recall which LED bulbs I purchased or what modifications were needed to install them in the bulb holders. (Bulb p/n's/links added below) Another issue is that the bulbs I installed were not dimmable but I do not mind:


There are two other areas where LED bulbs are a dramatic improvement. Engine bay:


...and courtesy light (main cabin and luggage compartment - this is an LED festoon bulb):


The dash photo is the only one that seems to do justice to the actual lighting. I hope this helps!
Peter

Found the bulb orders:
Dash LED bulbs: 74-CWHP3 Cool White *IIRC, I added solder to LED connection pads to make bulb holder electrical contact.
Courtesy Light Festoons: 6451 LED Bulb
Engine Compartment bulb: 67 LED Bulb

[Fast Freddy 944]

Thanks Peter, ill try Ace hardware for the tape..

[nize]

regarding the dimmable option, i found on long drives through dark roads if the dash light is too bright it messes up your night vision, so it's helpful to be able to dim the dash for those situations. heard this was a long-haul trucker's trick and found it works.

[Peter Graham]

Originally Posted by nize

regarding the dimmable option...

I was wrong (again): checking the specs, the dash lights are dimmable; they just don't dim that much (but still might make a difference on a long night drive). Here's a side-by-side comparison photo; fully dimmed left, fully bright right:

[Mike Goebel]

I bought this kit from somewhere else and it was only $29. But looks like they are no longer in business. And I think I actually used Acetone to clean the old stuff off!!! Just need to wipe in one dir quickly.

Reflective stuff kit

Mike G.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by Peter Graham

I was wrong (again): checking the specs, the dash lights are dimmable; they just don't dim that much (but still might make a difference on a long night drive). Here's a side-by-side comparison photo; fully dimmed left, fully bright right:

1970's porsche techonology! Lol! mine look like a match in a deep dark cave thats going out. LOL! Once I get some time off, hopefully they will keep me out of the dark..

[cfassett]

Maybe take a look at the wiring connections at your headlights. Apparently they are on the same circuit.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by cfassett

Maybe take a look at the wiring connections at your headlights. Apparently they are on the same circuit.

Back of the bulbs? They are pretty bright, Ill have a look see, Thanks bubba!