Dashboard lights and colours!

Captain Jack · Post by **Captain Jack** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:11 am

Hello,

A few days ago, the light that illuminates the mileage counter has gone. I can still see it in the dark when the dashboard lights are on as it gets some illimination from that.

Before, I replace it, I am wondering what type of light it is? I am assuming it's the normal twist and lock type bulb (12v, 5w?). While I am there, I am thinking of replacing all the other bulbs as well... and while I am THERE, I am thinking, maybe I could change the colourof the dashboard lights??

Now, when I replaced the bulb behind the clock, it was a simple twist and lock clear bulb. But the clock is still orange. My boss at work told me that's because the display has some 'gel' type stuff on it giving it the orangey glow and that replacing a bulb with a different colour won't really work. Is he correct?

What about the light that illuminate the actual dashboard? Can these be changed to a different colour?(I want blue!)...and the instrument panel too

Hope someone knows

jameslxdt · Post by **jameslxdt** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 1:08 pm

the 406 dash bulbs in a 406 are 286, you unscrew the plastic holder from the dash, then carefully pull out the old bulb, and push in the new one, i got a box of ten from macess (trade only

) for 8p
and i dont think you can get them different colour change bulbs for the 406, and even if you could they would look a bit silly as the dash is not clear its like an orange colour so it wont look right

mjb · Post by **mjb** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 2:21 pm

Do a search, I posted the Maplins part number for the bulbs not long back - 10x cheaper than getting them from a dealer

Also the chances of changing the colour are minimal for the reasons James posted above, and also the fact that the rest of the interior uses orange coloured plastic to get the colour (all the bulbs are uncoloured), and you wouldn't want your interior looking like a christmas tree decorated by a colourblind man now would you?

Captain Jack · Post by **Captain Jack** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:03 pm

Well that's a shame... I don't suppose I can easily replace whatever makes it orange?

Will do a search.. many thanks james/mjb

Captain Jack · Post by **Captain Jack** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:37 pm

Me again... just wanted to make sure that the Maplins jobbies here are what I need for the mileage counter display ... and are the bulbs different from the actual dashboard lights?

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 8:36 pm

Captain Jack wrote:Well that's a shame... I don't suppose I can easily replace whatever makes it orange?

Will do a search.. many thanks james/mjb

Its the dial fascia that make the light orange. Its printed on like that. Like the lense on a spotlight. If you put colours bulbs in, it'll mix with the orange on the dial fascia and look sh*t.

Tis a shame.

Essexdad · Post by **Essexdad** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:39 pm

Tis true....bought a nice set of Green 509T's(off ebay),to,first of all replace the 3 behind theMFD....they first of all lose brightness because of the coloured glass,but completely lose all chance of illuminating the orange panel...total waste of time&money ...(like a lot of other things in life,"...seemed a good idea at the time")

tux2006 · Post by **tux2006** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:02 pm

I've got a lamp behind the milage counter that changes colour

the square little display stays orange but the numbers change color as im going along..orange (lighter)...red...green...purple...orange... etc

I had them all over the dash as long as you put them in the right places they will illuminate the dials and most of all the needles
I had all the needles going on cycled phases of different colours at one time:P

Just make sure you get ones that a rated to the car and don't melt

STALLED · Post by **STALLED** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 2:09 am

Why - the 406 dash looks awesome at night...very easy to read!

Anything like a blue Eg on a VW Golf would be hard to see at a glance...I have seen a pic of a 406 with a blue dash though, probably have to change the dials for somthing like that?

jameslxdt · Post by **jameslxdt** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 9:38 am

the best mod to the 406 dash is to fit coupe dials, unless of course you already have a coupe

Captain Jack · Post by **Captain Jack** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:34 am

Doubt coupe's dials can be fitted to my D8 2.1TD.

But magic happened... I was going around the roundabout and the light on the mileage counter suddenly came on again! I guess there's a loose connection rather than a blown bulb... Best sort it out anyway... bloody French electrics!

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:39 pm

Captain Jack wrote:Doubt coupe's dials can be fitted to my D8 2.1TD.

But magic happened... I was going around the roundabout and the light on the mileage counter suddenly came on again! I guess there's a loose connection rather than a blown bulb... Best sort it out anyway... bloody French electrics!

With the quality (or lack thereof) of british roads, the bulb has probably rattled itself loose.
Takes 5 minutes to get to get sorted, even if you had to replace it.

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:39 pm

tux2006 wrote:I've got a lamp behind the milage counter that changes colour the square little display stays orange but the numbers change color as im going along..orange (lighter)...red...green...purple...orange... etc

I had them all over the dash as long as you put them in the right places they will illuminate the dials and most of all the needles
I had all the needles going on cycled phases of different colours at one time:P

Just make sure you get ones that a rated to the car and don't melt

Sounds like your dash looks like cack

tux2006 · Post by **tux2006** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:27 pm

ye but its colourful cack

mjb · Post by **mjb** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 2:11 pm

Blue406 wrote:
Captain Jack wrote:Doubt coupe's dials can be fitted to my D8 2.1TD.

But magic happened... I was going around the roundabout and the light on the mileage counter suddenly came on again! I guess there's a loose connection rather than a blown bulb... Best sort it out anyway... bloody French electrics!
With the quality (or lack thereof) of british roads, the bulb has probably rattled itself loose.
Takes 5 minutes to get to get sorted, even if you had to replace it.

I've got a pain in the arse bulb like that, to the left of the rev counter. Dunno what's causing it tho. I've replaced the bulb holder with one with 'adjusted' contact arms (cleaned), I've cleaned the PCB track, it's a tight fit now, everything...

Yet still the bloody thing won't stay on!

Next time I have the dash off (for the trip counter hack

) I think I'm just going to strip some coating and solder the damn bulb holder to the PCB.