Cluster Lights

[Garth The Good]

Hi Guys
New to the porsche scene
Just bought a944 but cluster light for dash is very dim
Is there a kit for this and if so how easy or not is it to fit
Thanks in Advance
Garth

 

[T3rra]

Best solution. Get a strip off led from maplins. 4 small bulbs on a strip paper thickness.

Self adistive backing so can be stuck inside cluster facing the clocks, and can't be seen once fitted.

Remove the center prism, use this space to run 2 wires, one from each end off the strip 2 the bulb housing.

In all should cost about £2 will need 2 solider the wires 2 the strip and bulb housing.

 

[wolfie308]

I guess the dimmer no longer works so they're permanently full brightness? How even do you find the spread of light?

Pics would be interesting as that sounds like a much cheaper option than the full replacement kits.

 

[Garth The Good]

Hi Guys
Thanks for the replies
I'm not brilliant at the diy stuff is there a link or a video as to how to do this or a kit to be fitted
Dont want to mess it up as soon as I got it
Thanks Again
Gar

 

[bighead]

ORIGINAL: Garth The Good

Hi Guys
Thanks for the replies
I'm not brilliant at the diy stuff is there a link or a video as to how to do this or a kit to be fitted
Dont want to mess it up as soon as I got it
Thanks Again
Gar

first welcome to our forum, it really easy just drill a small hole (for the wires to pass through ) to fit the led strip inside the cluster then solder the wires to one of the 3 holes where large dash bulb fit (but without the actual bulb ! ) I did the same as T3rra mentioned above and my led light actually dims when using the dash light button/dail, well worth the hassle as the difference it like nite and day .
alternative is to upgrade the dash bulb with leds replacement ones ..but imho the leds strip is the better outcome and cheaper !

 

[Eldavo]

I removed the cluster and then removed all the translucent silvering from the prisms with acetone free nail varnish remover and kitchen roll. I put tin foil over the prisms and held it in place with plenty of masking tape. I replaced the bulbs with long multi-led ones (they are dimmable but I didn't know this at the time) and this is the result:

 

[bighead]

very nice job !

 

[david924s]

Did exactly the same with mine, first time used tin foil but re-did it with mirror foil from Hobbycraft and used spray paper adhesive to stick it on the prisms, I also used masking tape and electricians tape the first time but after a few years it came loose. Second attempt used same method to fix foil but used duct tape to fix it to the cluster and used the same long reach multi LED lamps you suggest

Think it was the multiple LEDs that made the biggest difference as much brighter than the previous single LEDs I had used even the wide angle units.

 

[T3rra]

Led strip works with the dimmer, larger bulbs can burn the back off the cluster.

I tryed tin foil and crips packet as. It shinnyer then foil, but didn't work as well as led.

I removed the center prism and ran the wire though that gap, cut them, ran the wires from middle bulb put togther then joined wires up outside the cluster this way nothing get disturbed when u twist the bulb housing in

 

[david924s]

My LED cluster lamps work with the dimmer and as the wattage of the LEDs was less than the original bulbs heat has not been an issue to date.

 

[homesea]

ORIGINAL: david924s

My LED cluster lamps work with the dimmer and as the wattage of the LEDs was less than the original bulbs heat has not been an issue to date.

Do you have a link to the LEDs you bought?

Cheers,

 

[david924s]

This is the link to the eBay item I purchased 2 ps T10 501 194 W5W 10 LED SMD Car Side Wedge Light Lamp... (120880731838) not sure if still selling but the item details should locate similar.

 

[homesea]

Thanks,

I found these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-x-T10-W5W-8-SMD-194-168-501-LED-White-Car-Side-Wedge-Tail-Light-Lamp-Bulbs-/390599193103?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5af186b20f

But it says for tail/side lights etc. So will they be a bit bright?

 

[Ash944]

ORIGINAL: homesea

Thanks,

I found these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-x-T10-W5W-8-SMD-194-168-501-LED-White-Car-Side-Wedge-Tail-Light-Lamp-Bulbs-/390599193103?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5af186b20f

But it says for tail/side lights etc. So will they be a bit bright?

Those are to big you need the skinny one think there 5mm. I made the same mistake got ten of em just say here

Here's the item No 320915404801 for the right ones

 

[david924s]

Dead right the slim ones with the cluster of LEDs longer than those side lights that way the LEDs go inside the reflective prisms in the instrument cluster and give a better light.

 

[wolfie308]

I bought a strip of these as suggested by T3rra from Maplin - 20 cm strip with 12 mini led's was about £7. I'm planning to remove the prisms and attach them so they shine directly up the face of the cluster. Not sure if they'll be evenly spaced with the 3 slots, so may need to cut them into 5cm pieces each with 3 LED's. Fortunately, I have a spare cluster to experiment with

 

[T3rra]

Hi Wolfe

I only needed 1 strip with 4 bulbs set in the middle facing the clocks. Fixed against the rear frame under the glass.