ABCar

I would like to replace all the bulbs in my gauges at once. Looking for the right bulbs for each. Two Porsche dealers could not ID these for me...sad.

Thanks

fatmike

My gauge bulbs are stock, but i have had good luck with Tore's bulbs in other parts of the car. I think he does the gauge bulbs in LEDs. I'd start there first.


http://www.bergvillfx.com/consolerepair.html

ABCar

Thanks, I have the LED bulbs outside but want to keep the gauges stock.

fatmike

Understood.

I'd still click that link for some good advise on how to get to the bulbs. Also, Tore claims the standard bulbs are available at any auto supply store.

/

axl911

Search around for the parts numbers. You can also use BMW E36 console/gauge bulbs. They are the same. I posted the part numbers somewhere in this site. They are for the bulbs and holder. Cheaper too!!!

Be aware BMW have two brightness. Get the brighter one.

il pirata

964-641-920-00 (0.9w) and 999-631-027-90 (1.5w). Call Sunset…hard to believe a dealer could not look these up.

Also it is not recommended to put the 1.5w in where the .9w goes.

ABCar

Actually they did have these part numbers.

I am not sure how many of each I need. I geuss I can pull the gauges and check but would rather just make the order first and pull the gauges only once (later) when I make the change.

Thanks for the info too.

x50type

I tried this 2 or 3 years ago without success.
The LED bulbs for back ground lighting from Ebay didn't fit properly in the instruments.
They were poor copies and slightly off. Modification didnt go very well because the Chinese plastic was too soft. The OE bulb holders are hard German plastic and fit properly.
One Ebay seller assured me their LED's would fit fine -- they didn't.
I gave up.

NC TRACKRAT

I believe the standard bulb is a #194, available at most auto parts stores.
I'm wrong...#194 is correct for the ignition key light but not for the instruments.

deepee

10 x 0.9 watt lamps, and you need one extra for a tacho with OBC
27 x 1,5 watt lamps

each element is lit with two lamps, the OBC has a pernanent light and the entire dashboard has 27 warning lights.

you could use the same yellow LEDs all over. they don't produce heat as regular bulbs do

ABCar

Bingo! Thanks very much

therossinator

Now that is some nice and expensive artwork.

x50type

So lets make this simple.

Has any one found a LED bulb with holder that is a direct replacement i.e drop in] for the OE background instrument lights?

If so, where and how much?

TouringTeg

Related question, does anyone know the part # or bulb type for the ignition light. My 97 C4S had a burnt out wedge style bulb above the ignition. Bought an identical looking replacement from an autoparts store and it didn't light up.

x50type

I tried some of these from Ebay, and although the white Chinese LED looks ok, you can see it's a little bit off from the yellow OE; consequently they don't fit. I tied to modify the Chinese ones but failed; the plastic was too soft and the metal contact dimensions off.

Anyone found LED's that do fit and work well for instrument gauge background lighting?