Instrument illumination

[Mr B]

Good evening all,

Quick question, I've just purchased green LED lights for my instrument cluster, do I need to remove those blue coloured plastic things that convert the normal white light to the green light in a standard dash or can I leave them in place?

Thanks for any advice given

Mr B

[Andrew 2.8i]

Hi Wayne,
I would say yes, although I've never tried LEDs with the bulb covers fitted.
However, if you remove the lower dash panels you should be able to reach up behind the instruments without taking the dash fully apart. You can easily reach three of the four illumination bulbs, the fourth is a bit of a faff to get to. You can try replacing some of the LEDs and see what kind of illumination they give without taking the whole dash apart. If you find that the level of light emitted is not sufficient, you can carry on taking the instrument pod out to gain access to the blue covers in order to remove them.
If you do this, disconnect the battery before you go sticking your hand up into the unknown!

Obviously, the current can only flow one way through diodes, so you may have to try them first to see if you've fitted them the correct way. I seem to recall that Steve (Stevemarl) produced a diagram indicating the required polarity of each of the LEDs.

What kind of LEDs do you have? I have found that the ones that work best are the ones that emit 360 degree light, they're the ones with a dome top, like these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10X-T10-W5W- ... SwvgdW3KdA
You may find that the bases need trimming so they fit through the holes.



Andrew.

[stevemarl]

Andrew,
as if by magic:

[Mr B]

Hi guy's,

Thanks for your replys I really do appreciate it, I have a spare instrument cluster and I fired it up in the kitchen a while ago using that excellent diagram that Steve kindly supplied, as advised I trimmed the outer casing of the LED's and now they fit perfectly, I can say that the LED's are still very bright even though I have left the blue covers in place - it looks fantastic to be honest and I can't wait to get them on the car.

Andrew, I used the those LED's that you recommended in your post - excellent value for money.

To be frank without this forum and it's members I would have never thought of this LED conversion so thanks again guy's.

Wayne

[Andrew 2.8i]

To be frank without this forum and it's members I would have never thought of this LED conversion so thanks again guy's.

Thanks Wayne!
I hope you find that the LEDs give a good improvement over 3W bulbs.

I'd also like to mention that without this forum and the vast amounts of knowledge that the people on it have, I just don't know where I'd be.

Andrew.

[Not_Anumber]

DONT try to force the blue lenses out at the side without unscrewing one of the instruments on each side to make space.

Someone told me the blue lenses were so fragile they would disintegrate soon as i pushed them with a screwdriver - Nooo don't try this.The 2 lenses that are top and bottom of the main central gauges are ok but you need to be much more careful removing the side ones. These lenses can need quite a bit of firm pressure to dislodge them. There isn't enough clearance between the lens and the back of the gauges so pushing on the lenses will put pressure on the back of the gauges which can then break. I had to replace my fuel gauge as a result of that advice. Instead just take another couple of mins to unbolt the side gauges then you can use as much pressure as you need to remove the lenses behind them.

I actually tried 2 sets of LEDs that were recommended but have now gone for green standard bulbs instead- they look nice and bright now without the blue lenses and they work properly with the dimmer.

[Mr B]

DONT try to force the blue lenses out at the side without unscrewing one of the instruments on each side to make space.

Someone told me the blue lenses were so fragile they would disintegrate soon as i pushed them with a screwdriver - Nooo don't try this.The 2 lenses that are top and bottom of the main central gauges are ok but you need to be much more careful removing the side ones. These lenses can need quite a bit of firm pressure to dislodge them. There isn't enough clearance between the lens and the back of the gauges so pushing on the lenses will put pressure on the back of the gauges which can then break. I had to replace my fuel gauge as a result of that advice. Instead just take another couple of mins to unbolt the side gauges then you can use as much pressure as you need to remove the lenses behind them.

I actually tried 2 sets of LEDs that were recommended but have now gone for green standard bulbs instead- they look nice and bright now without the blue lenses and they work properly with the dimmer.

Hi mate,

Thanks for the advice I appreciate it, can I just ask why, apart from the dimmer not working with the LED's, you didn't like the LED's?

Wayne

[Not_Anumber]

Personally I just preferred the light from the green tinted standard bulbs when I tried them back to back. If I hadn't have bought them Id probably have been satisfied with the LEDs though, nothing wrong with them really.

[Bug]

I did the simple conversion of just removing the blue covers, for a fellow member of Kings Lynn Capri Club a few years back at a local show.

So there I was, leaning over the boot of his 280, with the instrument cluster in pieces, removing a couple of the gauges to get the blue covers off easily, when a shadow loomed over me. I looked up to see the biggest policeman in the world about a foot behind my shoulder, looking at the exposed speedometer and odometer with a scowl on his face.
After ten minutes of frantic explanation, whilst waiting for the cuffs to click shut, he finally broke in to a smile and admitted that my so-called 'friends' had explained what I was doing and asked him to wind me up.

Since that day I always carry a spare pair of pants in the car

[CapriFreak]

About to do this conversion on mine as im taking the dashboard out anyway.. Bought some white LED's a fellow Capri owner suggested but, i might send off for some green ones.

I've never pulled the cluster out before and i remember someone on facebook saying to watch the ammeter connections... im guessing its all on the one plug and to get the clocks out i'll just need to remove the spedometer cable, wiring plug and oil pressure gauge?
Can the clock be done too? i've never seen it light up anyway so i might have a bigger problem, only just found it its supposed to light

[Andrew 2.8i]

Can the clock be done too?

Yes. From memory, you will need two BA7S bulb or LED, like these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Barthelme-70 ... Swlf5dQIvT

Andrew.

[pbar]

About to do this conversion on mine as im taking the dashboard out anyway.. Bought some white LED's a fellow Capri owner suggested but, i might send off for some green ones.

You may wish to consider green standard replacement bulbs. You will then have the advantage that the dimmer will still work at not be redundant.