Dash cluster lights?

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canada karl
Posts: 1065
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:50 pm

Dash cluster lights?

Post by canada karl »

I pulled the dash cluster to change some instrument lights. I removed the steering wheel for easy access. There are two small bulbs on the top of the instrument cluster to illuminate the gauges at night. How in world do you get those little buggers to stay put above the orange plastic when you reinstall the cluster? There's not enough clearance at the top when pushing the unit in and there's no access at the back.
I'm thinking of splicing longer wires in for those bulb units so I can duct tape them in place before I pry the top of the dash up just enough to get the bulbs to clear. Anyone been there?
1976 530i. BMW 59 Triumph TR3A(rolling resto). 67 Triumph TR4A(salvageable). 86 900S Winter car
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RonDwyer
Posts: 470
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:01 pm
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Post by RonDwyer »

I cant recall how mine are held in, I didn't plan to take the gauges out to respond, but since they are bonded to the underside of the dash cover, take look to see if they could be re-bonded? I've had great success with JB Weld epoxy over the years. Just be sure what you are trying to re-attach them to isn't crumbling away to dust. You may need to make a pliable aluminum sheet to attach them and this gives you a better chance of fising a secure spot to bond the lights to

Post a few pics of the inside here for us to look at. Let me know if the underside of the dash where they attach is starting to crumble from polymer degradation.
Ron Dwyer
Milwaukee, Wi

14 Audi A8L TDI
03 530i
08 F150 4X4
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