Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade

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TrojanCSI
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Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2021 10:24 pm
Location: Georgia

Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade

Post by TrojanCSI »

I just sent the instrument cluster off to have the speedometer repaired for my 89'csi. I want to upgrade the instrument cluster lights from the 3 watt bulbs. I purchased the Sylvania 168LL 5 watts but will Sylvania LED 168 Amber work? The bulb on the LED's look rather large as to fitment in panel??

The 3 watt bulbs are definitely dim so I want to upgrade. I heard that the LED's are not dimmable so that maybe a problem?
89' 635csi
89' 635csi
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1989 635csi
1988 325ix (previous)
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jps635
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Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade

Post by jps635 »

You can wire in an adjustable dimmer
'85 635csi JPS (RA2-66)
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635sharknose
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Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade

Post by 635sharknose »

DO NOT use 5 watt bulbs in the cluster. [-X
I read on the German 6-er forum, that it can melt the lenses and can create bubbles in the cluster housing in the area of the lamps.

The German forum member, a cluster specialist, has done several tests with different LEDs.
You can see photos of the results on his website, the link can be found in the German forum post.

Here the link to the German forum, paste the link in Google translate if you can't read German. (advantage of being Dutch, we do speak 3 languages)
http://forum.6ercoupe.de/index.php?mode ... &id=163314
Paul
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1987 635CSi Bronzitbeige
Jlc
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Joined: Sun Sep 27, 2020 5:27 pm
Location: Atl

Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade

Post by Jlc »

It looks like a T10 base is needed for the large cluster bulbs in an e24. I may try the mod as my dash lights are dim. According to the German thread the LEDs are dimmable.
85 635CSi Bronzit
TrojanCSI
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Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2021 10:24 pm
Location: Georgia

Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade

Post by TrojanCSI »

TrojanCSI wrote: Mon Mar 22, 2021 11:18 pm I just sent the instrument cluster off to have the speedometer repaired for my 89'csi. I want to upgrade the instrument cluster lights from the 3 watt bulbs. I purchased the Sylvania 168LL 5 watts but will Sylvania LED 168 Amber work? The bulb on the LED's look rather large as to fitment in panel??

The 3 watt bulbs are definitely dim so I want to upgrade. I heard that the LED's are not dimmable so that maybe a problem?1989 635csi (1).jpg
Thank you 635sharknose for the valuable information. My instrument cluster has the brown sockets so I went ahead and ordered the LED's. Hopefully I will not have any fault issues. Atlanta Speedometer just called and said my cluster just needs new gears for the speedo and two new batteries. The board is in great shape (no leaks) AMAZING!!
1989 635csi
1988 325ix (previous)
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635sharknose
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Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade

Post by 635sharknose »

Good news, that repair is relatively simple.

I am very interested in the end result with the LEDs, please share your findings.
Paul
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1987 635CSi Bronzitbeige
KINGJOHN808
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Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2019 2:27 am
Location: Ewa Kai

Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade

Post by KINGJOHN808 »

Aloha! Any updates on the LED mod and install for the instrument cluster? Gonna be removing mine soon to replace the odometer gears and want to change to LED while I’m in there. The current display is super dim, borderline unusable.
Ewa Kai, Hawai’i
1984 633CSi
1983 633CSi (wreckers)

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TimU
Posts: 280
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2021 2:16 am
Location: Sydney

Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade

Post by TimU »

I've upgraded some of the lights in my dash cluster to LED.

The main overhead lights are a simple T10 wedge.
I used these: https://www.stedi.com.au/2-pack-t10-w5w ... -28mm.html

Many other brands exist, but make sure you get a good quality CANBUS compatible model - CANBUS models will support the dimming function.

The smaller lights are a T5 B8.5D (T5 wedge with an 8.5mm bayonette carrier)
I used these: https://www.jaycar.com.au/t5-b8-5d-repl ... e/p/ZD0384
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04/1986 635csi Euro spec
Australian Delivered, RHD
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635sharknose
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Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade

Post by 635sharknose »

Wow, that looks very good. Well done.
Paul
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1987 635CSi Bronzitbeige
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