Instrument Cluster Bulbs - again!

[CoupeWannabeS2]

Just wondering - when fitting the LED's do you have to use any resistors or do you just attach the LED's as they are ???

[NoNonsense]

Just wondering - when fitting the LED's do you have to use any resistors or do you just attach the LED's as they are ???

you'll need resistors IIRC

[Doug_RS2]

You can buy LEDs with built in resistors specifically for 12v applications.

What others have used in their clusters are LEDs with built in resistors with the proper holder that just screws in as a direct replacment for the standard bulbs.

[AAH!]

Inspired by this thread I've just replaced most of my cluster bulbs including the ones that didn't need replacing.

Ordered bulbs through VAGparts. They could only supply the orange based 12v 1.1w bulbs and the green based 2w bulbs. The black bottomed 1.2 w bulbs (imobiliser, hand break & air bag) and the blue bottomed 1.2w bulbs (indicators & high beem) did not seem to be availble.

I didn't bother replacing the blue bottomed 1.2w bulbs (indicators & high beem) but replaced the black bottomed 1.2 w bulbs (imobiliser, hand break & air bag) with orange bottomed 1.1w bulbs.

When evrything was put back I noticed that the imboliser light was coming on momentarily on starting the car (which is fine) and the air bag light now comes on for about 2 minutes before switching it self off.

Is this normal?

I don't think that the black bottomed bulbs where blown (according to my multi meter) so would the imboliser light and the air bag light be coming on now because I've been fideling around. Although unlikeley could it be because they now have 1.1w bulbs rather than 1.2w bulbs?

Also wondering what this unused warning light is (see pic). Could it be used as part of the MIL circuit instaed of the "cabriolet" light. Seems more appropriate for blink codes somehow!

[NoNonsense]

@ AAH!:
last time I pulled my cluster to change a bulb, my airbag light started doing the same exact thing...it was weird.
Eventually, I pulled out the airbags completely, so i also pulled the bulb.

[CoupeWannabeS2]

Thankis for your comments on fitting LED's. I am keen to improve the look of the VDO gauges and found this on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...524138377&rd=1

Rather than buy a kit - I purchased 10 bright blue LED's and resistors so will have a go at making my own blue VDO's. As a final question, does the LED need 1 resistor joined to both legs of the LED, or do you connect 1 resistor to 1 leg of the LED ???

[porkkis]

Also wondering what this unused warning light is (see pic). Could it be used as part of the MIL circuit instaed of the "cabriolet" light. Seems more appropriate for blink codes somehow!

That's an indicator for trailer indicators working. If you have a trailer hook and harness and trailer hooked that will blink with normal green arrows.

Cars originally sold to Italy (as mine) have a "lights on" indicator in that position.

[Mark Halligan]

How many leds did you need Mark? Was it really 15 for the dash?

John I think I used about 8 for the dash backlight and 2 in the illumination for the computer, but I bought 15.

[Mark Halligan]

Have you got any pics of the cluster at night?

Yep but its not a good pic though

[Mark Halligan]

you'll need resistors IIRC

I think they do, here's one I pulled apart:

[newsh]

John I think I used about 8 for the dash backlight and 2 in the illumination for the computer, but I bought 15.

Thanks Mark!

[newsh]

Crikey! the blue ones are twice the price, hope it looks nice :-/

[Doug_RS2]

They look handmade - no wonder they are expensive. One leg has a diode on it - probably becasue LED son't like 12v reverse voltage - for when you connect them the wrong way round.

[AAH!]

Do the LED's dim when you twiddle the dash dimmer knob?

[Pete_RS2]

Do the cheaper LEDs suggested by Fourrings not fit then Mark ? Is the colour more red like the dash switch illumination ?