Can anyone tell me what kind of bulb is required in the clock of a post 85.5 car? I am mesuring 2.8-3.0 Volts ?? So of course a 12v bulb does not light up. Strangely I've replaced it last year by using the one from the lighter and it worked, so if it requires a 12v one, what could explain the low voltage reading??

TIA

 

Anyone?

 

It's a 1.2 watt 12V bulb. The one I got was a Osram #2721.

 

...you might just buy it from pelican to be sure it's right (correct base and all).

 

But I'm only reading 3volts, how is that possible? A 12v bulb does not even light up.

 

When are you measuring the voltage?
I beleive its brighter with no lights on then dims out when you turn the lights on. In any event its not very bright anyway. May explain the reading

 

I removed the light and I'm measuring right where the light holder makes contact, there's some lead contacts. With the lights off, I get 0 volts and with the lights on I get 3volts.

Is the clock illuminated with the lights off?

 

No, I don't believe it is.

 

If the key is on, the clock backlight will goto full brightness. If the key is on and you put the exterior lights on, the back light will remain on but at a dimmer setting.

 

Mine lights up as soon as I turn to key to position 1. I replaced mine with one I bought from Ian at www.944online.com. I think it was ~$2.

-Darwin

 

Ah, that might be it !! I don't think I tried with the key on

I'll try that
Thanks all

 

Well that was it, the key had to be on

I took the occasion to install a led instead of a bulb, looks really good.

Thanks everyone.

 

I found an interesting post on another board regarding using LED's in the instrument cluster. Might be helpful with the clock bulb too.

http://rl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5152

 

I'm looking to replace my clock bulb as well.
I already have the white LED dash kit from Jager, and my stereo is white LEDS as well.
I've been looking at the LED clock lights on Ebay.

Do you mind posting a pic of your LED clock light?

 

I kept the same socket that's at the back of the clock, removed the old bulb by pulling on it and used a "74 Wedge Base White LED" found here http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/74_t15.htm

I bent the little connector pins so they extend to the side a little and shoved it into the socket. Fits perfectly. Please note that those ones are polarised, so if it doesn't work just rotate it 180 degrees.