Watts or Carrots?

[dtunnicliffe]

Having followed the excellent technical advice regarding replacing the dashboard illumination on my 3.2 Carrera I was a touch disappointed with the results - in that the speedo is still a tad dim. The rev counter is okay as are the other gauges. Given that the bulbs in question had all but one failed, I would have expected far better results.

Anyone know of any "brighter" bulbs. (the Bosche bulbs as supplied are 2 watt).

Dave

[]

 

[Guest]

My standard response to technical questions seems to be 'search the pelican forums'. Theres a fair bit of info on this.

The long and short of it is that yes , the illumination is poor, sticking higher wattage bulbs in is not good because none of the instrument lighting is fused [] (not sure if this is all models though).

There have been some folks experimenting with led replacements and I think they have got a good solution but it not off the shelf stuff yet.

Cheers

Andy

 

[plhorner]

Dave,
I've been having exactly the same problems for the last few years, however its low on the priority list !! Having gone through the same route as yourself, I wondering if the earthing of the system might be a little suspect. Have you tried using a little wet and dry on the contact area between the bulb holder and instrument body? Can't think of a reason why the speedo would be dimmer than the others, incidentally mine is the same. Are they bad by design?!!!!

Good luck,

 

[Beaky]

Another possible but extreme solution is to change the dial backing from black to white, this obliviously enhances the poor illumination

Regards

 

[plhorner]

Is this a common problem or do all 3.2's suffer with poor illumination of the speedo as standard?

 

[dtunnicliffe]

Thanks everyone who has posted a reply.

There certainly could be high resistance (HR) between the holder and the metal case and I will be looking at the earth return over the weekend. [nothing else to do if we are going to be snowed in.. as the actress said to the bish'] Might be an idea to actually measure the physical impedance between the case and a known good earth and if it is on the high side, then I may run a secondary line in. BUT, Phil you are right, all I have spoken with suggest that it is always the speedo rather than say the rev counter. Interestingly, my 964 did NOT suffer the same dim lighting and yet the speedo head unit appeared to be identicle.

Dave

 

[Guest]

I investigated this problem on my as well. I couldn't understand why the the rev counter seemed so bright compared to the speedo. When it was last serviced I asked my mechanic to check it out for me which he did. He said two bulbs had gone and he replaced them. It did make it a bit brighter but still nowhere as bright as the rev counter. gave up and accepted "that's the way it is"!!