A solution to Dark Dash

**langy** · 4th August 2006, 06:30 AM

I've been working on my dash, and had to take the middle facia off. This is what's behind it, and what the dash light looks like. Whilst I was there I figured I repair the intermittant dash lights that Disco 1's seem to get.

When you remove all the grey plastic bits, this is whats left ( Note, to use the indicators you have to plug the hazard switch back in)

The bulb lives here

and it's like this

It's a type 286 wedge bulb, 12v 2w, about 18mm long. Autopro Riverwood have them, $1.25 ea ( Small wedge bulb)

I used a pair of tweezers to remove the bulb, and then a tookpick to bend the contacts for a bit tighter hold on the bulb. Make sure the wires from the bottom of the bulb (much like xmas lights) are straight. You don't have to remove the bulb holder from the fixture to do this.

Just as a matter of interest, the bulb is the same for most of the lights behind the dash, but in GM and ford vehicles, the bulb is soldered into the twist lock, and dosen't work too well in LR sockets (Still called a T5 though)

Our very own P38Arover, Ron, actually has contributed to a website that shows those bulbs a little better.

http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/lcdlights.html

**Quiggers** · 4th August 2006, 04:19 PM

Well done langy. You're indeed a brave man. I thought there were hamsters on wheels in there, and they're all named Lucas. What else did you find in there? Copy of QE2s 'Rule Brittania'? A few old fellas from Solihull? Prince Charles? LOL
GQ

**langy** · 24th August 2006, 01:02 AM

And. for that extra somthing: Blue LEDS. You can get them on ebay for 16 quid = $38. I went looking for somthing similar at Rare Spares, and found this

$6.60 for 5, look for this card

At the back of the dash pod, there are two big (T10?) lights for general illumination, and 4 odd T5 ( normal wedge type) smaller ones behind the fuel and temp gauges etc. I found it easier on the eyes if you remove those ones (leave the warning lights of course) and only use the two top lights

With only those two, the positions of the temp,tacho speed and fuel needles stand out, but you can't read odometer. ( Big deal)

Last, in my previous post I mentioned using similar T5 fixings from commdores. Try not to use them cause they don't work well in LR sockets. ( See right hand side plug in photo below for commodore example). The left hand side item is what the LED in a LR plug looks like

I also saw blue silicon caps if you want to change the colour of the main dash backlights too. Last, if you do use them, and they don't immediatly work, don't panic - they are leds after all, just take out, reverse and put back in the socket.

**CraigE** · 24th August 2006, 07:33 AM

Langy, where did you see the silicone caps, as I need some.
Cheers
Craig

**langy** · 24th August 2006, 08:02 PM

Those covers (sleeves) are a standard NARVA product

http://www.narva.com.au/Globes_9.html

Over here in Sydney, Autopro has them for $3.50 a pack of 5 for T5. I'm actually trying to find them in T3, which is the size of the lamps in the various switches on the console.

**one_iota** · 25th August 2006, 05:41 PM

Langy,

Mate, I need to pull out the centre console to reconnect some dash lighting wires inadvertantly pulled out whilst installing a hands free phone kit

the hard way.

Any clues as to?

**langy** · 26th August 2006, 05:11 AM

Easy as... easier if I point it out myself. I've PM'd you with contact deails.

**DEFENDERZOOK** · 26th August 2006, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by langy

I'm actually trying to find them in T3, which is the size of the lamps in the various switches on the console.

have you tried jaycar....?

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