Removing/Replacing Instrument Gauge Bulbs
#1
Thread Starter
Instructor
Removing/Replacing Instrument Gauge Bulbs
Hi folks. I am summoning the collective wisdom of this forum for the first time and I thank you in advance for any advice you can offer. So here's my question: How do I remove the bulbs from the gauges in my 1986 911?
See picture attached (I hope). The bulb post is the metal cylinder with the red top and the blue wire extending from it.
TX911
UPDATE - Feb 16, 2005:
Thanks for everyone's advice, I successfully removed the bulb. Here's how I did it - I gripped the crimped area above the black plastic sleeve with a pair of needle nose pliers. After twisting back and forth a bit I pulled up and away from instrument, and the mechanism that holds the bulb slid out of the barrel which is covered by the black plastic sleeve. There is no need to un-crimp the top, as this merely secures a washer that keeps the red plastic cap in place.
I hope this helps future readers of this thread.
See picture attached (I hope). The bulb post is the metal cylinder with the red top and the blue wire extending from it.
TX911
UPDATE - Feb 16, 2005:
Thanks for everyone's advice, I successfully removed the bulb. Here's how I did it - I gripped the crimped area above the black plastic sleeve with a pair of needle nose pliers. After twisting back and forth a bit I pulled up and away from instrument, and the mechanism that holds the bulb slid out of the barrel which is covered by the black plastic sleeve. There is no need to un-crimp the top, as this merely secures a washer that keeps the red plastic cap in place.
I hope this helps future readers of this thread.
Last edited by TX911; 02-16-2005 at 03:50 PM.
#3
Thread Starter
Instructor
I played around with the red cap, thinking it might pull out of the post with the bulb attached, but in doing so the bulb fell into the gauge. I haven't pulled on the post as it looks permanently fastened to the back of the gauge.
#5
I am here to rescue you! All the gauges in my 86 Carrera are hanging out by their wires and I'm in the process of replacing all the bulbs. You need to pull the bulb and socket out as a unit, and to do that you just use a small screwdriver or knife and pry up gently on the metal lip that surrounds the red thing. The black cylinder part stays put. The bulb and socket will come out very easily and they go back in the same way. Just push them in. In fact, they come out so easily you can probably just use your fingernail to pry them up. Have fun.
#7
FYI on the bulbs. I replaced every bulb in my instrument cluster. I picked them up at the foreign auto parts store. Take one with you to match up, they are the same ones that Volkswagen used so you can get a bunch of them for very little money.
In answer to the original question, pull hard!!
In answer to the original question, pull hard!!
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#12
I know that this will sound stupid but.........if you are replacing them, do it one by one so you don't cross up your wires and have the wrong light in the wrong hole.
I take digital pictures of all my instrument backs before I start, just in case I get interupted in the middle of something.
I take digital pictures of all my instrument backs before I start, just in case I get interupted in the middle of something.
#13
Originally Posted by gregg911
I know that this will sound stupid but.........if you are replacing them, do it one by one so you don't cross up your wires and have the wrong light in the wrong hole.
I ran into a small snag tonight doing my 86 instruments. There is one bulb in the temp/pressure gauge that is bigger than all the rest - a 4W monster. It's the only one like that in the whole cluster and I don't have a replacement for it. All the rest are either the 1.2W indicator bulbs or the 2W illumination ones.
#14
I will apoligize in advance, but what would you do if you needed to change a flat tire. Now
that would probably have about four pages of postes.
Again woke up quite feisty this morning, so forgive me.
that would probably have about four pages of postes.
Again woke up quite feisty this morning, so forgive me.