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Topic: Digital Speedometer Light is out! (Read 7680 times) previous topic - next topic

Digital Speedometer Light is out!

Reply #15
Sorry, this option isn't allowed here. Only approved DRLs or both head lamps and tail lights. Nothing between. I have LED DRLs on my silver bird and it's fine. They have much lower current draw from alternator, than standard low beams.

DRLs are above the fog lights :)

Digital Speedometer Light is out!

Reply #16
ah bummer. What do you use for headlights in the silver car then?
--Steve
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L
2011 Mustang 3.7L

Digital Speedometer Light is out!

Reply #17
For halogen bulbs in the '86 & '87 I've been into, one had green sockets the other blue... I can't see any reason not to use 194, that's what I stuck in the ones I had...

#37 is smaller than the #161, 168, 194, etc, unless you have a special socket it's not going to replace these bulbs... The larger bulbs defiantly will not fit in the radio, dimmer panel, etc...

Quote from: Trinom;433270
You mean remove that stupid heating nonsense, am I right? :)
That thing is TOTALLY USELESS. I throwed them away from both my birds and everything work fine.

BTW, daytime lighting is mandatory in our country, so you can imagine, how the flexible board feels like while driving in hot summer. I guess, there is a quite big risk of fire because of that.

The resistor is there so the dimmer still works when most of the bulbs have burned out, also without it likely can't turn panel lamps to full dark...

Digital Speedometer Light is out!

Reply #18
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;433727
The resistor is there so the dimmer still works when most of the bulbs have burned out, also without it likely can't turn panel lamps to full dark...
Well, at least the buttstuffog gauges are quite dim even on full power. I don't have any reason to dim the insturment cluster even more. Do you have?

Quote from: sarjxxx;433708
ah bummer. What do you use for headlights in the silver car then?
I use E approved headlamps with parking light and H4 bulb (that's mandatory modification).

Digital Speedometer Light is out!

Reply #19
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;433727
For halogen bulbs in the '86 & '87 I've been into, one had green sockets the other blue... I can't see any reason not to use 194, that's what I stuck in the ones I had...

#37 is smaller than the #161, 168, 194, etc, unless you have a special socket it's not going to replace these bulbs... The larger bulbs defiantly will not fit in the radio, dimmer panel, etc...



The resistor is there so the dimmer still works when most of the bulbs have burned out, also without it likely can't turn panel lamps to full dark...

interesting,, i thought i stumbled across a shop manual statement about this very thing, meant to construct a response back to trinom once i understood its purpose.. knowing ford didnt toss it in there without a reason.. but you summed it up well enough.


Digital Speedometer Light is out!

Reply #21
I just replaced mine and it took ten minutes.Its super simple.You can just pull the cluster foward and the bulbs will be right on top.I have 5 or 6 new bulbs from ford I bought when they discontinued em.I can send you one.Seriously Its no big deal

Digital Speedometer Light is out!

Reply #22
I got mine just the other day from my local dealership. All of 4$ to replace the whole cluster. Waiting on a new voltage regulator as well, cuz I only want to rip the dash once. I'll be sure to heat sink the resistor as well--good idea! I'm curious if anyone knows a way to change the colour of the cluster from green to blue maybe? I'm assuming the cluster itself is green so would require replacing lenses or the whole unit with a specialty one. Just curious if anyone has done it.
1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0 that's always going to be a work in various states of progress...

Digital Speedometer Light is out!

Reply #23
Quote from: Jonno11;459823
I got mine just the other day from my local dealership. All of 4$ to replace the whole cluster. Waiting on a new voltage regulator as well, cuz I only want to rip the dash once. I'll be sure to heat sink the resistor as well--good idea! I'm curious if anyone knows a way to change the colour of the cluster from green to blue maybe? I'm assuming the cluster itself is green so would require replacing lenses or the whole unit with a specialty one. Just curious if anyone has done it.

Jonno, CoolCats.net should have something about changing the color.  See this link:  http://www.coolcats.net/modifying/gauges.html
'88 Thunderbird LX
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Engine:  FR B303 cam, GT40P heads w/ Trickflow valve springs, Explorer upper/lower intake, SR cold air intake w/ MAF
Exhaust:  shorty headers, BBK O-R X-pipe, glasspacks w/ turn downs
Misc:  8.8 rear, Saleen SC replicas 17x8/17x10, Mach 1 front springs/SN95 rear springs
&
'74 F100 Custom 351W

Re: Digital Speedometer Light is out!

Reply #24
The back light on my digital speedometer is only on when my headlights are on. When the headlights are out the display is barely readable. I have the cluster out and and have replaced the two bulbs at the top of the speedo and can see everything light up with the head light switch on, but the display goes out when the dash lights are turned off. Does anyone know how to make my speedometer visible again when the dash lights are off?

Re: Digital Speedometer Light is out!

Reply #25
The back light on my digital speedometer is only on when my headlights are on. When the headlights are out the display is barely readable. I have the cluster out and and have replaced the two bulbs at the top of the speedo and can see everything light up with the head light switch on, but the display goes out when the dash lights are turned off. Does anyone know how to make my speedometer visible again when the dash lights are off?

My car does this periodically also, if I drive it long enough, they usually come back on.  Ive checked the wiring behind the radio thing.  All fine there.

I may just throw a new motorcraft ignition switch on it, just for giggles.  I think its the original one still in the car.
Mike