Gauge illumination

OldFoggey · #1 (**permalink**) 10-11-2013, 08:32 PM

Tonight on the way home I stopped to pick up a pizza and when I left the temp gauge didn't light up. The gauge functions but just doesn't illuminate. I would estimate that the car has roughly 5 hours driving time with the lights on. Seems like a short time to have a bulb go out. Does anyone know if the VDO gauges have replaceable bulbs?

Thanks.......Don

Tim Brewer · #2 (**permalink**) 10-11-2013, 10:25 PM

All gauges do.

Tim Brewer · #3 (**permalink**) 10-11-2013, 10:31 PM

Hey Don, isn't Haines City where James Stewart lives?

Cashburn · #4 (**permalink**) 10-12-2013, 05:12 AM

Usually it's just the bulb housing has fallen out of the back of the gauge. Check that first.

OldFoggey · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2013, 09:32 AM

Thanks Cashburn. I'll check that. Yea Tim, he's from here. They use to have a sign at the city limits saying it was home to James Stewart, world motor cross champion until he got in trouble.

Don

BAsque1 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-13-2013, 04:56 AM

I have the same problem, but in my case I think that either the bulbs are just dusty or out of place off from the socket. I just hate to become a pretzel under the dash. I just rationalize the fact that I don't drive the car often at night.

OldFoggey · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2013, 04:21 PM

Turns out that the bulb must be bad. The bulb was secure in the socket and the socket seated good in the gauge. I did pull it out and the bulb isn't lit. I have pulled it out and going to buy a new one tomorrow. The bulb is clear glass but has a small red rubber over it. I guess that's for the red illumination. Don't know if I can find a red glass replacement or not. Tomorrow's shopping trip will tell what's ready available at Autozone or Advanced Auto.

Don

AKA EDDY · #8 (**permalink**) 10-13-2013, 05:15 PM

Hi OldFoggey,
I replaced all 9 VDO LEDs. I got them from Super Bright LED's, Inc...superbrightleds.com / (314) 972-6200. The bulbs come in different colors, not just clear bulbs with colored rubber covers...they were 79 cents each, plus shipping. They are a pain to replace but I'm glad I did it.

OldFoggey · #9 (**permalink**) 10-14-2013, 05:06 PM

Thanks AKA for the info on the web site. Once I got the old bulb outside in the sunlight I was able to read the number 158 on the bulb. Advanced Auto had long life ones by Sylvania but they are almost $5 for a pack of two. I did see a red bulb that would fit but it was a little brighter. The 158 bulb is 3.4 watts and the red ones are 4.5 watts. I think they were in the high $3 for a pack of two. I'll check the web site.

Don

OldFoggey · #10 (**permalink**) 10-16-2013, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the web site AKA. I ordered enough red LED's to replace all of mine too. They sure have a great selection for everything from automotive to tractors. At $.79 each with an expected 100k hours life how could you go wrong.

Hope everybody has a super evening......Don