Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade
Moderators: GRNSHRK, ron, bfons
Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade
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?
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
1988 325ix (previous)
1988 325ix (previous)
- 635sharknose
- Posts: 513
- Joined: Fri Sep 13, 2019 4:58 pm
- Location: The Netherlands
- Contact:
Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade
DO NOT use 5 watt bulbs in the cluster.
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
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
Instagram: @635sharknose
1987 635CSi Bronzitbeige
Instagram: @635sharknose
1987 635CSi Bronzitbeige
Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade
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
Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade
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!!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
1989 635csi
1988 325ix (previous)
1988 325ix (previous)
- 635sharknose
- Posts: 513
- Joined: Fri Sep 13, 2019 4:58 pm
- Location: The Netherlands
- Contact:
Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade
Good news, that repair is relatively simple.
I am very interested in the end result with the LEDs, please share your findings.
I am very interested in the end result with the LEDs, please share your findings.
Paul
Instagram: @635sharknose
1987 635CSi Bronzitbeige
Instagram: @635sharknose
1987 635CSi Bronzitbeige
-
- Posts: 128
- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2019 2:27 am
- Location: Ewa Kai
Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade
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)
“Aloha and have a great day!”
1984 633CSi
1983 633CSi (wreckers)
“Aloha and have a great day!”
Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade
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
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
Australian Delivered, RHD
- 635sharknose
- Posts: 513
- Joined: Fri Sep 13, 2019 4:58 pm
- Location: The Netherlands
- Contact:
Re: Instrument Cluster Light Upgrade
Wow, that looks very good. Well done.
Paul
Instagram: @635sharknose
1987 635CSi Bronzitbeige
Instagram: @635sharknose
1987 635CSi Bronzitbeige