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Digital Dash Display Too Dim

My 86 Elan has a digital instrument panel. The display is too dim, even with the brightness turned all the way up. Is there a way to increase the brightness? Do these use bulbs or another means to illuminate the display?
1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0 EFI AOD, 3.73:1 SN95 rear, 17" Mustang Bullitts w/Firestone WO Indy 500's. Future plan: 349 stroker, C9 block, forged dish pistons, Scat 9000 crank, 4340 I beam rods, ARP head/main studs, ported explorer intake, 1.72 CC RR, Vortech V2 supercharger, Mr. Freeze Meth Inj, intercooler, TFS 190 11R CNC heads (66CC), BBK shorties with 2.5" duals, 4R70W Transmission, Taurus fan.

Digital Dash Display Too Dim

Reply #1
194 bulbs

also on the speedo module itself there is a 194 "style" bulb , cant remember the number but its longer life.

for column shift, disconnect the batt so you can turn the key forward without draining it, lower shifter down as far as possible.
Tilt steering wheel down as far as it will tilt.

remove lower dash cover to reveal a white plastic clamp around the steering shaft.  undo that , careful dont break it.

remove dash trim to reveal the torx screws in all four corners of the cluster

remove steering column covers both top and bottom

reach behind cluster to find the electrical connecors, these are squeeze type locking tabs on either end of the connector to release them.

some cars came with the tiny little bulbs that fit 194 sockets while others had the fatter type bulb.  Just replace anyone that has a bad filiment or all.
you can use a magnefying glass to see any open filiment or use a meter.

give yourself 3 hours if this is your first go at doing the dash,,, usually this is about an hour job to track all the hardware and take your time not breaking stuff.

Digital Dash Display Too Dim

Reply #2
Quote from: jcassity;459163
194 bulbs

also on the speedo module itself there is a 194 "style" bulb , cant remember the number but its longer life.

for column shift, disconnect the batt so you can turn the key forward without draining it, lower shifter down as far as possible.
Tilt steering wheel down as far as it will tilt.

remove lower dash cover to reveal a white plastic clamp around the steering shaft.  undo that , careful dont break it.

remove dash trim to reveal the torx screws in all four corners of the cluster

remove steering column covers both top and bottom

reach behind cluster to find the electrical connecors, these are squeeze type locking tabs on either end of the connector to release them.

some cars came with the tiny little bulbs that fit 194 sockets while others had the fatter type bulb.  Just replace anyone that has a bad filiment or all.
you can use a magnefying glass to see any open filiment or use a meter.

give yourself 3 hours if this is your first go at doing the dash,,, usually this is about an hour job to track all the hardware and take your time not breaking stuff.

Great answer!

On my Maverick, I had the same issue. I replaced the stock bulbs with LEDs. I didn't know what type of lighting was used with the T Birds digital cluster ( that I really don't like).
1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0 EFI AOD, 3.73:1 SN95 rear, 17" Mustang Bullitts w/Firestone WO Indy 500's. Future plan: 349 stroker, C9 block, forged dish pistons, Scat 9000 crank, 4340 I beam rods, ARP head/main studs, ported explorer intake, 1.72 CC RR, Vortech V2 supercharger, Mr. Freeze Meth Inj, intercooler, TFS 190 11R CNC heads (66CC), BBK shorties with 2.5" duals, 4R70W Transmission, Taurus fan.

Digital Dash Display Too Dim

Reply #3
The original bulbs for speedo display were halogen, supposedly brighter and longer life than 194... Every one I've been into went back together with #194, plenty bright...

Digital Dash Display Too Dim

Reply #4
I think some of mine are burned out, as I have shadowy areas. I might give the LEDs a crack while I have everything apart.
1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0 EFI AOD, 3.73:1 SN95 rear, 17" Mustang Bullitts w/Firestone WO Indy 500's. Future plan: 349 stroker, C9 block, forged dish pistons, Scat 9000 crank, 4340 I beam rods, ARP head/main studs, ported explorer intake, 1.72 CC RR, Vortech V2 supercharger, Mr. Freeze Meth Inj, intercooler, TFS 190 11R CNC heads (66CC), BBK shorties with 2.5" duals, 4R70W Transmission, Taurus fan.

Digital Dash Display Too Dim

Reply #5
Dont put leds in place of the battery light, or it could prevent voltage from passing through to get the aalternator going. Also dont use leds without a solid state flasher or dummy loads so you dont end up with a tweaker blinker or no flash at all.

Personally, I just use stock replacements for everything.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Digital Dash Display Too Dim

Reply #6
If you want it brighter than stock, you can try 168 bulbs.  They're dimensionally identical to 194, but have a higher wattage by 2 watts (makes a bigger difference than you probably think).

Digital Dash Display Too Dim

Reply #7
Quote from: Haystack;459177
Dont put leds in place of the battery light, or it could prevent voltage from passing through to get the aalternator going. Also dont use leds without a solid state flasher or dummy loads so you dont end up with a tweaker blinker or no flash at all.

Personally, I just use stock replacements for everything.
There is a 500 ohm resistor in parallel with the alt light, it's sole purpose is to provide excitation if the bulb were to fail...

I agree on using std bulbs, at least for the indicators... For general illumination the LEDs can improve lighting without going to a higher wattage bulb that increases heat... Over the long haul heat can damage lenses/overlays on bulbs...

Digital Dash Display Too Dim

Reply #8
I'm glad I asked the question.
1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0 EFI AOD, 3.73:1 SN95 rear, 17" Mustang Bullitts w/Firestone WO Indy 500's. Future plan: 349 stroker, C9 block, forged dish pistons, Scat 9000 crank, 4340 I beam rods, ARP head/main studs, ported explorer intake, 1.72 CC RR, Vortech V2 supercharger, Mr. Freeze Meth Inj, intercooler, TFS 190 11R CNC heads (66CC), BBK shorties with 2.5" duals, 4R70W Transmission, Taurus fan.

Digital Dash Display Too Dim

Reply #9
Does anyone know the number of 194 bulbs I would need to replace all of them in the dash? I want to order them all at once and don't want to rip the dash twice, once to check and once to fix. (Want the car drive able for now) Also, do they require specific colours, for the warning lamps, turn signals, etc or could I just get white or blue or whatever? Like are the lenses tinted in the cluster or does it rely on the bulb colour itself? Cuz I'd love a blue digital dash haha. Thanks for the help!
1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0 that's always going to be a work in various states of progress...

Digital Dash Display Too Dim

Reply #10
All bulbs are white. Cant tell ya the number.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Digital Dash Display Too Dim

Reply #11
The OWNERS MANUAL says for std digital six 194 and two #2033 halogen for the speedo display... I've always used 194 for all...

If you buy some cheap chinese bulbs expect them to last maybe a month...

 

Digital Dash Display Too Dim

Reply #12
I put 6 LED 194 bulbs in. Just the ones for the dash illumination. First set was off of Amazon, made by J Tech or something. They started flickering after a year. This most recent set, also from Amazon, sold by Yorkim. These seem to be doing alright.
-Kyle
1986 Ford Thunderchicken, 5.0 AOD w/ Shift kit,  354,XXX miles. 1-Family owned. Original engine+trans.
8.8 Disc Rear w/ 3.73 Posi. CHE Control Arms. '04 Cobra brakes all around. 2000 Cobra R wheels. Tubular front LCA's. MM Steering Shaft. Unlocked Speedo, Lowering springs, Eibach sway bars front and rear. Ram air intake.