rehansamee

A huge "thank you" to Hussam Jamil (Hosrom_951) who fixed the instrument panel lights on my S2 Cab.

The difference is absolutely amazing -- anyone out there with weak instrument lights should attack the panel with aluminium foil.

Once again, Hussam ..... THANK YOU.

peterjcb

Exactly what did you do? I have the same problem with my instrument lights.

rehansamee

The step-by-step procedure can be found on www.clarks-garage.com. Go to the section "Garage Shop Manual" and in the index go to "Instrumentation". There is a detailed procedure to remove the instrument panel and then another one to fix the dim lights.

hosrom_951

Rehan: Thanks for posting this, at least someone appreciated my help here on rennlist

You have a GEORGIOUS S2 Cab *drool* keep her happy, she would keep you happy as well

Peter: All you need are three new bulbs (3w), nail polish remover, alumium foil and double sided clear tape. Works every time!

Chase72

Hussam: have you guys tried a higher watt bulb with any luck? I know that on Clark's Garage, they mention using 3 watts is the max... I used 5 watts (just to see) and they are starting to blow out... did you guys have similar experiences?

peterjcb

OK, the good news is that I did the repair and my dashboard is now readable at night . The bad news is that my odometer will not reset.
I'll have to go back in there and see if something is disconnected.

BTW, I read the Clarks-garage procedure and installed three Sylvania #194 bulbs which according to the website is rated at 3.78 watts. The old ones that came out were rated at 2 watts. It seems to work well so far.

SDGuy

The odometer reset switch fits in a groove on the panel behind the vent/cluster cover. It probably fell out when you refurbed your cluster lighting and is not being triggered by the pokey pin on the vent. I likewise almost forgot to put the switch back in position so the reset button on the vent would trigger it. If you remove the vent, it will be obvious that the switch is not in position. This switch issue should probably be added to Clark's gauge lighting instructions.

BTW, I had my tin foil party a couple of weeks ago and did not pull the steering wheel, although it was a tight squeeze to remove the instrument cluster itself. Luckily I didn't break anything. SDGuy

peterjcb

Is it a mechanical or an electrical switch? I remember seeing something that looked like some sort of module attached to a wire. I didn't know what it was so I tucked it back inside the dash. That might have been the reset switch.

SDGuy

Electrical... and the thing you found was probably it. I initially thought it was a sensor of some sort. It will have a central spot that the vent pin hits. An easy fix. SDGuy

hosrom_951

Chase72: I used some bulbs that were 5w (if i remember) and yes, they kept burning out

Peter: As SDGuy said, there is a groove (more like a hole LOL) where the odo trip switch mounts. When you re-install the a/c vent trim, just turn the ignition to the "on" position and press on the trip switch to test. It MAY take you a few trials to "get it right".

The case with rehansamee was that when i removed the centre trim, i noticed the trip switch not in it's location at all, some wire rnning down the a/c vents. I asked him if the odo cannot be resetted, he said no. I showed him the trip switch, and how it was located/mounted. Just popped it back into the "hole" and worked fine. rehansamee was sure happy, since now he can re-set the odo and can see the gauges at night LOL

peterjcb

Hussan, try the Sylvania #194 bulbs. They're supposed to be 3.78 watts and shouldn't burn out.

peterjcb

I believe that this photo shows the odometer switch reset control (center) that has to be aligned up when putting the dash back together. I didn't know what it was and didn't align it back correctly.

SDGuy

That is it. Maybe you should send that pic to Clark Fletcher for inclusion in the gauge lighting article.

peterjcb

SD guy...check out the URL of that photo, it's linked fron the Clarks-Garage website. They just didn't include any information on the switch in the write-up.

SDGuy

Right you are... He just needs to mention the switch pitfall. It was a great write-up otherwise. His site has helped me a lot.

I used the #194 bulbs and my panel is much brighter but I still need to leave the dimmer on full. Maybe I didn't use the right brand of foil