Digital Dash Display Too Dim February 06, 2017, 10:07:58 PM 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? Quote Selected
Digital Dash Display Too Dim Reply #1 – February 07, 2017, 09:18:33 AM 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 clusterremove steering column covers both top and bottomreach 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. Quote Selected
Digital Dash Display Too Dim Reply #2 – February 07, 2017, 07:14:43 PM Quote from: jcassity;459163194 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 clusterremove steering column covers both top and bottomreach 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). Quote Selected
Digital Dash Display Too Dim Reply #3 – February 07, 2017, 07:36:21 PM 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... Quote Selected
Digital Dash Display Too Dim Reply #4 – February 08, 2017, 12:12:00 AM 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. Quote Selected
Digital Dash Display Too Dim Reply #5 – February 08, 2017, 01:50:01 AM 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 Selected
Digital Dash Display Too Dim Reply #6 – February 08, 2017, 04:39:19 AM 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). Quote Selected
Digital Dash Display Too Dim Reply #7 – February 08, 2017, 11:26:43 AM Quote from: Haystack;459177Dont 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... Quote Selected
Digital Dash Display Too Dim Reply #8 – February 08, 2017, 12:06:17 PM I'm glad I asked the question. Quote Selected
Digital Dash Display Too Dim Reply #9 – March 01, 2017, 08:34:32 PM 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! Quote Selected
Digital Dash Display Too Dim Reply #10 – March 01, 2017, 09:44:38 PM All bulbs are white. Cant tell ya the number. Quote Selected
Digital Dash Display Too Dim Reply #11 – March 01, 2017, 10:27:16 PM 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... Quote Selected
Digital Dash Display Too Dim Reply #12 – March 01, 2017, 11:39:05 PM 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 Quote Selected
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