Installed LED gauge cluster lights, now not illuminating (1987 944)

[razer8724]

Hey everyone,

New to the forum, but have been reading in silence for a while. Long story short, I’m helping a friend restore a 1987 944 (NA) and have come across a minor bump in the road with the gauge cluster lights. A few months ago, we decided to do the LED bulb exchange and re-foiling the light tunnels to brighten the gauge cluster. The LED bulbs were the ones recommended from superbrightLEDs. After coating the tunnels with new reflective material and installing the bulbs, we fastened everything back into the car and tried to fire it up but the new LEDs would not shine. All other lights (hazard, turn, etc.) are working but not the 3 replaced bulbs.

The LEDs are functional since I tested them with a 9V battery. Also, when I place them in the removed gauge cluster and connect the 9V battery to the correct contact points on the circuit board, they illuminate dimly as well. The problem only occurs when I put the cluster assembly back into the car. My guess is there might be a problem with the wiring harness? I didn’t think this would be the case since the original bulbs worked perfectly before, but stranger things have happened..

Haven’t had a chance to tackle the fix in a few months but might be trying this weekend and figured I’d put together a new plan of action. Any help would be appreciated!

[billy mild]

Did you try using the dimmer at all?

[razer8724]

Yes, I tried the dimmer but it didn't produce any changes.

[onrails]

Keep in mind an LED is +/- ( due to the resister inside it) and your circuit board on the cluster is as well. Regular bulbs work either way try turnig the LEDs the other way in the hole.

[onrails]

Scratch that last reply. When you metered out the cluster did you start with the vehicles harness so you know what pin # is actually + and - on the cluster. You can get a backwards LED to work if you are on the wrong +/- at the cluster pins. There are reeeaally small numbers on the harness to keep track of polarity when you meter it out. Hope that helps. Cause what your doing will for sure.

[968 GUY]

All 3 could be installed backwards. The polarity of the contacts the batt. are being touched to could be the opp. of batt.
just an idea, cuz that would be something that would happen to me.

[Grandad#3]

These cars seem like they have a mind of their own and are resistant to change. You have brightened up the light tunnels, just use a regular bulb that is less than 3 watts (194).

Cheers,
Larry

[onrails]

Did my dash with 14 small LEDs (161) i think, its been a while. and three (194) im not sure on the numbers but look it up and youll find it. the key to this is not to do the three lenses with silver first. Silver or aluminum does reflect a lot of good light, we don't want a spotlight effect. White reflects the most light and it does it in an indirect way. I tried mine both ways. The white was 2X the clarity... Put a white plastic layer (something semi heat resistant) over the lenses first. --- Your dash has a lot of heat---Then cover it with aluminum tape which will hold it in place. its not a good idea to remove the lenses, But, a razor and a careful cut will take off the plastic weld. BUT BE VERY CAREFUL REMOVING THE LENS (I do not recommend this) you can crack the ears. I did it without any issues. Nail polish will remove the old silver. (take your time.. it will) don't have any before pics but you have those im sure.

[onrails]

missing pics




SORRY ABOUT THE CONFUSION

[onrails]

The big LED is NOT the right Voltage but looks the same.(it was a spare) NOTE: the circle on the plastic piece is for the light disbursement, should be cut out and the silver will deflect the light evenly......sorry guess there was a lot more than what i thought to this. Yes, I have O.C.D......LOL by the way, happy VETS day to all. We deserve at least one

[looneybin]

Originally Posted by onrails

The big LED is NOT the right Voltage but looks the same.(it was a spare) NOTE: the circle on the plastic piece is for the light disbursement, should be cut out and the silver will deflect the light evenly......sorry guess there was a lot more than what i thought to this. Yes, I have O.C.D......LOL by the way, happy VETS day to all. We deserve at least one

did you order the bulbs from superbright led? and what is the bulb # for the 194 replacement that you used?
your gauges look great

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Interested in knowing this as well - and a big +1 to using white (rather than silver) on the gauge cluster light tunnels. Works much better.

I'd love to do this on my '89. Those look really great.

[onrails]

I got them through my work. We order from a place called Suzo Happ. Not sure if they sell to public but they have a web. But they a T 3-1/4 wedge base LED, the cluster style. But they do list all the bulbs as far as what they replace. If that helps.

[monfu]

Hello Folks, I have been reading your posts. I have a 944 turbo '87, I saw the pics here and I would like to get the same lights, already visit superbright led website but I saw many bulbs, can somebody recommend me what lights should I buy to get my instrument dash looking like the one on the pics? The Pics look awesome. Please advice.

[rothaus]

I just installed the 3 LED's in my 944. I used the WLED-NW6 (194) wedge type base from Superbrightled



These are not polorized, and the dimmer actually works.

This may help.

[Tamas Opra]

I would suggest make them from scratch.Its easy and 100%to work.I get my leds from c-led.com
and the resistors from a local electrical store.Connect all 3 of them in line in a triangular shape,add the resistor and solder it into the existing holes.the bottom part is the + one on all 3 of them,thats where the end with the resistor should go.

[Tamas Opra]

thats my dash now