GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: rowlers on 23 December 2006, 11:59

Title: dash lights.. how long and how hard??
Post by: rowlers on 23 December 2006, 11:59
read up on the how to.. for the dash lights, built myself up to do it then read some more and deceided against!

Sounds like a right btard of a job and I think I'll put up without a light on the mfa...

is it really that big of a job or am I being a pussy!


how long should it take me? Is there much risk of bolloxing something else while I'm beind the clocks???
cheers
Title: Re: dash lights.. how long and how hard??
Post by: Gozza on 23 December 2006, 14:12
I dont know what people are going on about saying these are hard to do, I took them out of a golf I had years ago as the  lights had blown, piece of piss. Worst bit was re-attaching the speedo cable, scratched my wrist to fcuk.

Other than that was easy iirc  :kiss:
Title: Re: dash lights.. how long and how hard??
Post by: rowlers on 23 December 2006, 15:11
whats the prob with the speedo cable then? Any tips for getting this on/off? what about other connectors behind there??

I'll see if I can build up the energy to do it 2moro!

 :tongue:
Title: Re: dash lights.. how long and how hard??
Post by: Gozza on 23 December 2006, 15:27
problem with the speedo is that you need to unclip it and because you cant see its hard to know how to, I think you squeeze it or twist it slightly but I cant really remember. Also you need to ensure you get the correct dash lights as there are a few types according to Euro Car parts. Its not too hard putting it all back together either, just make sure it all works before you do. I think the other connections are simple clip in jobbies
Title: Re: dash lights.. how long and how hard??
Post by: bomp on 23 December 2006, 16:03
Speedo cable is dead easy, I did it in about 2 seconds in the scrappy last week.
 Look at Fig. 4-4 here http://www.iol.ie/~kilkennyhockey//BentleyManual/BD01/ch4.1.html
Just squeeze the clips in and push the cable back toward the engine.
Title: Re: dash lights.. how long and how hard??
Post by: rowlers on 23 December 2006, 17:51
I always forget about the bentley manual!!!

Its excellent ta very much...

I don't have to take the center console out though eh...?
Title: Re: dash lights.. how long and how hard??
Post by: Snap on 23 December 2006, 18:15
When replacing the bulbs, can they be replaced with LED equivalents?
Title: Re: dash lights.. how long and how hard??
Post by: rowlers on 23 December 2006, 18:26
can... but alot more work.. see the maintenance section
Title: Re: dash lights.. how long and how hard??
Post by: bomp on 23 December 2006, 20:08

I don't have to take the center console out though eh...?

No need to touch the centre console.

Pull all the blank switches off the facia
Pull out and unplug all switches from facia
Pull off the plastic ends off the vent slides & vent dial (cant remember how I got the vent facia off but it was easy and I didn't break it)
Undo the screws that hold the facia on (I reckomend a magnetised philips as they may drop somewhere when loose)
Remove facia
Unclip the electrical plug/s, from the clocks (one or two dependant the model)
Undo the two screws that hold the clocks, then tilt the top toward you. If you lean to one side and look in you'll just about see the speedo cable going in the back of the speedo.
Squeeze your hand through and squeeze the clips in and push the cable back toward the engine.
Now just pull the clocks out.

As for putting the cable back on, well I haven't done it yet as I'm looking for some nice dials to get.

As Gozza's pointed out that it's a cow to put the cable back on it might be better to put the front of the car on stands and start it up and chuck it in 2nd gear and let it tick over until the square end of the cable lines up with the back of the speedo.  You'll understand it when you see it all anyways
Title: Re: dash lights.. how long and how hard??
Post by: rowlers on 23 December 2006, 20:34
sounds simple enough..now just need to build myslef up to do it!

but can I be ars@d on xmas eve?

probably not :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: dash lights.. how long and how hard??
Post by: bomp on 23 December 2006, 20:54
When replacing the bulbs, can they be replaced with LED equivalents?

I've been thinking about doing this myself, but I might mess about with some fluorescent paints (On the dials) and Ultraviolet LED's. But I can only get 4v UV LED's so I might use 3x 4v UV LED's in series with a resistor, or use a 12v black cold cathode tube. If you look inside the casing of the clocks, there's a little shelf at the top about 5mm in depth where the original bulbs shine through, well thats where I'll be putting them.

I'm not sure of the value of the resistor to use yet though, my son has bought me some LED's with resistors on them allready for my dash switches (Christmas prezy) as per this thread http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=51448.0
He's got me the LED's that Adam_C ponted to here http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=869&osCsid=e64d116ba8dc64c2a6e554667652b9b6

The speedo, Tacho, Fuel and battery level needles are gonna get fluorescent paint on them for sure anyways, because they're a pain to see in the dark.

Title: Re: dash lights.. how long and how hard??
Post by: rubjonny on 27 December 2006, 10:15
Why not check out the MK2 maintenance + info sectionm, theres a nice how2 I put together ;)