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All the switches on my Mk2 Golf dash work but the bulbs have long gone. which causes issues at night as I can't see any switches and it looks poo. I've looked into what I can do- Buy new dash switches which will no doubt be ridiculously expensive as they are VW. or Solder in new green LED's (to keep it original) and resistors which will be brighter and ultimately last longer than using normal bulbs. I've seen this kit on Ebay- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200495024762?ssPageName=STRKIt says "minor soldering" required. Now, I can solder, I have a soldering iron but I'm guessing this will be a fiddly job and I'm very careful not to completely wreck the switches and end up costing me more in the long run. Has anyone done anything like this and how hard is it? I've soldered wiring etc? I'm guessing I can buy the kit seperately from Maplin if I know what I'm looking for? Any thoughts? |
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1993 Mercedes-Benz 190e LE in Azzuro Blue.
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I fitted some 405 window switches to my 205 recently, had to swap the top rocker part and noticed that there was a bulb underneath, I'd have a look through the RS or Maplin catalogue for a suitable replacement, mine wouldn't need any soldering as the thin legs on the bulbs are folded over the plastic moulding and clipped down.
not sure what your dash switches would be like, have you taken one apart to try? the problem usually encountered with using LED's for such applications is the bright spots you tend to get as they only emit light straight out the top, not all round like a filament bulb.
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I'm pretty sure you can replace the bulbs easily enough.
IIRC you unclip the switch from the dash and the bulb holder is integral with the switch unit. Unplug the holder, replace bulb -jobs a goodun.
Sorry, I can't help with using LED's, not something I've done. Obviously it's dooable though.
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Please don't waste your time going to Maplins for Led's they simply don't know what they are talking about most of the time,give Ian a ring at Component shop...gogle it.He sells batts for a living BUT he specialises in Led's and knows his stuff
dave
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I saw a guide on a an American VW forum, the switch comes apart and there's two bulbs and a resistor in each switch. you either have to solder in two new filament bulbs or two LEDs and a new resistor. The bulbs for the dials etc are twist fit but switches need soldering.
I've used LED's in the past, the way I dealt with bright spotting was to give it a little rub over with some fine sandpaper to diffuse the light.
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1993 Mercedes-Benz 190e LE in Azzuro Blue.
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Feb 12, 2012 20:29:04 GMT
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Did the ones in my old man's '89 Audi 80- which was soldered-in microminiature lightbulbs- found a source for red LED's with a 12V rating- they have the resistors built into them- and they were diffuse ones already Those went to the scrapyard about ten years on still working Did the ones in my Fiat but that was cheating because they had LED's in already, just a straight swap Did the dash bulbs in the GTA a couple of years back. Those were a bit more fiddly, but if you don't want to have to assemble them you can get pretty much any of the twist-in type bulbs made up as LED's.   ^ You can buy ones like this pre-made, by the way. look on ebay Best ones I've found so far are the funny flat ones with four legs- solder a resistor to that and it will sit down low, the light it gives off is in a pretty wide beam. --Phil |
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Last Edit: Feb 12, 2012 20:31:44 GMT by PhilA
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