Hi all, i just got a 968. It's a '94 black coupe, white interior, M030 options and i just got into it the first time after dark, and noticed that most of my dashboard lights are out. How hard is it to replace them? Are there any instructional guides on how to disasemble the dash?
Thanks,
-Coop
[quote name='Coop920' post='38187' date='Jul 12 2007, 10:59 PM']Hi all, i just got a 968. It's a '94 black coupe, white interior, M030 options and i just got into it the first time after dark, and noticed that most of my dashboard lights are out. How hard is it to replace them? Are there any instructional guides on how to disasemble the dash?
Thanks,
-Coop[/quote]
You can use bulb #194 in there, they are the slightly brighter ones. If you do a search on it, there should be topics on it.
I replaced mine a couple of months ago and added chrome rings to my gauge cluster. I posted pics too.
Do a search for gauge lighting and you will find a couple of threads highlighting your best options.
David
Thanks all, but pardon my stupidity...i really need to know how to get the cluster out before i destroy something.
Thanks
-Coop
pretty sure the procedure has been documented here - do a search - if you don't find it, drop me an EMAIL including your email address (not a PM please), and i'll dig it up and post it
Before you go through all that trouble...
1. just pull the gauge cluster out
2. On the bottom of the cluster you'll see three big silver coated plastic pieces that are "inverted cone" shaped. These are the things that route the light from the bulbs to the cluster.
3. Scrape off all the silver coating on the bottom side of the three plastic pieces.
4. Now tape some aluminum foil, shiny side down of course, over the plastic pieces. Be careful to get it as flat as possible.
5. You can remove the three bulbs and check or replace them but i guarantee that even if the bulbs were burned out that without doing my little "hack" you'll still see dim gauges...
I've done this to three 944/968 series cars and it works great!
[quote name='Coop920' post='38230' date='Jul 13 2007, 03:27 PM']Thanks all, but pardon my stupidity...i really need to know how to get the cluster out before i destroy something.
Thanks
-Coop[/quote]
You dont really need instructions for this. The screws aren't hidden, its just a matter of taking your time and feeling for where the tension is to find any missed screws. After you pull the assembly out to the back of the wheel you will have to disconnect the 3 ribbons that clamp to the back of the cluster. This is carrying your signals and power to the gauges. It disconnects by flipping the small lever at each side of the ribbon.
some pics below
http://www.968forums.com/index.php?showtopic=3836&hl=
god speed
In regard to LED packs for gauge lighting I'm surprised that Flash hasn't yet posted here to the effect that bright gauge lighting represents a safety problem, forcing the pupils to contract and thus reducing what you see on the road.
Makes sense to me.
etnier <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> true, but then all you have to do is turn them down - and the other factor is they are the reddish/orange glow, which has a lesser effect on our pupils. Thats the color they use on Air Force cockpits...
[quote name='sasilverbullet' post='38250' date='Jul 14 2007, 09:16 AM']etnier <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> true, but then all you have to do is turn them down - and the other factor is they are the reddish/orange glow, which has a lesser effect on our pupils. Thats the color they use on Air Force cockpits...[/quote]
Aha. Last I heard the dimmer didn't work properly on LED retrofits. I'm glad they fixed that.
lol - john - at this point i figure it will just keep the wrecking yards and body shops in business because people are effectively blinded by their dash lights, don't see what they should, and wreck the car - this is one where there is plenty of data out there but people ignore it anyway - so be it - my dash lights wil stay as dim as i can tolerate
i don't know of a "fix" yet for the dimmer on the leds - i think that might take some additional circuitry - has anybody seen such a fix yet? did i miss this one?
I put blue LEDs in my dash and around the accessories, and it works great. It not bright, accuallt makes the needle and the number glow, but that's it. And I have had no problems with transitioning bewteen looking at the guages and the road. Actually it is more difficult looking at on come lights of other cars.(No different than normal.)
[quote name='flash' post='38255' date='Jul 14 2007, 09:29 AM']lol - john - at this point i figure it will just keep the wrecking yards and body shops in business because people are effectively blinded by their dash lights, don't see what they should, and wreck the car - this is one where there is plenty of data out there but people ignore it anyway - so be it - my dash lights wil stay as dim as i can tolerate
i don't know of a "fix" yet for the dimmer on the leds - i think that might take some additional circuitry - has anybody seen such a fix yet? did i miss this one?[/quote]
Well, changing bulbs is a frustrating exercise. Why can't they give a couple more cm of wires!! I got the cluster out and found someone else has been there and broke some of the retaining levers.
As a reward for the job done I went for a drive. Pouring rain and hydro planning but still lots of fun.
Tip: Do not turn the ignition on when the instrumentcluster is dismanteld. This is one of the options to trigger the big ! warninglight.