How do I change the Dashboard bulbs ?

[Way2go]

There are quite a few bulb holders missing. I've got the bulbs, just no way of attaching them.

Depending upon your model of BX, the bulb holders are not necessarily fully populated as they relate to functions of the other models. So fitting bulbs in these positions will likely do nothing for you.

[Vanny]

BX calipers should NOT need to be wound back with a screw action, though it helps. Quick jaws or Gclamp is all i have ever used!

[mat_fenwick]

Really? I thought that was part of the self adjusting handbrake mechanism. I stand corrected!

[mnde]

I read somewhere, possibly this forum, about LEDs that were available as a straight swap for dashboard type bulbs.

Is that correct - if so where can I get them? I tried browsing a Maplins store recently but no joy.

Cheers,

Mark

[prm]

Mark

Halfords have the correct size for the BX 286/T5 holders. Currently you can have any main colour, but……. not white or clear.
Managed to buy several white ones some while ago.

Try this company. Would have thought you would need to fit a complete set as the LED bulbs are somewhat brighter. But check the total bulb length. Several types are longer, for fully recessed panels/holders.

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/286-T5 ... 86LED.html

Regards

[mat_fenwick]

You will probably find that if you change all the bulbs, the rheostat will go from bright to slightly less bright. The reason being is that the LEDs draw much less current, therefore there is less voltage drop over the rheostat. You could get round this by putting a resistor in parallel with the LEDs, but I haven't worked out what value or power rating it would need to be...

[prm]

Haven’t seen these before, almost identical length as the original type.

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/R509T- ... teid=14881

Listed as T509. Fitting appears the same. 509 could designate - complete with holder.
Rated at 2 watts each. Approx 20-26 of those is going to be bright in white.

Tried various colours. Green is cr*p – very low light output. Red – OK.
I’ve fitted blue on the heater control panel.
Just running through a circuit for red auto dimming foot well lights. Well, the colour matches the car.

Trying to work out how to include the flashing Christmas lights and the singing Santa or, electric nodding dog.!!!!

Regards

[BX-pert]

Whenever I had to do a dash bulb job, I used to check every bulb in the pod by leaving the ignition on, removing the 'STOP' bulb, and replacing it with the next one I took out, If it lit, (you can tell from the rear), it went back to it's original place, and the next got tested. (Silvery/ blackened ones got discarded anyway).
I found the easiest way to remove each lamp holder was to use a single hex 8mm socket on the holder. (Or was it 7mm? Long time ago!)
You can tell the difference between the holders that you replace the lamp (Earlier type) and the non replaceable type by looking at the bottom of the holder. If you have little soldered tabs at the base, you need the whole lot. The little lamps could sometimes be quite stiff to remove from the early type holder, best way to pull them was with a little strip of rubber around the lamp. (I actually superglued some rubber innertube to the jaws of a pair of old pliers, but then I did tend to do a lot of them)
HTH

[mds141]

You will probably find that if you change all the bulbs, the rheostat will go from bright to slightly less bright. The reason being is that the LEDs draw much less current, therefore there is less voltage drop over the rheostat. You could get round this by putting a resistor in parallel with the LEDs, but I haven't worked out what value or power rating it would need to be...

Mat, could you use the resistors that are intended for motorcycles, when the standard filament indicator bulbs are swapped for LEDs.

[mat_fenwick]

Don't think so, as for 2 x 21w indicator bulbs you would need a 3 ohm resistor. To replicate the load of all the dash bulbs (11 x 1.2w) you need an 11 ohm resistor. That's assuming you replace the 8 behind the dials, the cig lighter bulb and the heater illumination. If you leave some bulbs in place then the rheostat will work more effectively - on the van I have left the heater illumination alone and I can just about dim the illumination to the (fairly dim) level I like. If you like it bright you may be fine without worrying about resistors etc.

Something like this would do a more effective job of dimming LEDs if you wanted to go to town!

[mds141]

WOW!! Remotely controlled dimming interior lights!! BX BLING!!