Instrument Panel Illuminations

[TheLettingsKid]

Hey All,

So I finally got my VW Type 3 Fastback back after an engine rebuild including new heat exchangers and exhaust (ouch!). So will have a few small jobs to do now. First one on the list is the instrument panel illuminations. When driving at night, the speedo, etc are almost completely in the dark. I think there is a dull light in the petrol gauge. I've popped the dials out of the dash (only the clock fully as I didn't want to disconnect too many wires). Are there light bulbs inside the speedo, etc? Can they be replaced? If so, does anyone know how? The clock seems to be a sealed unit. Cheers! David

[packers1712]

Yes all of the instruments have lamps in them and they can be changed, they should've just be a bayonet style fitment and the lamp holder comes out of the instrument revealing the bulb. I have changed mine but the only one that got any brighter was the speedo so mine may require some kind of clean internally so they have been left for now.

[JSR-69]

Just a thought ... depending on the year, the light switch has a dimmer action for the instrument lights. You do have this turned clockwise ... don't you???

[TheLettingsKid]

Thanks for the replies. Well now I feel like an idiot! There is a dimmer. I'll report back after a test run tonight. I might owe you a drink!!

[Chino]

Sounds like yours is healthier than the one that came in mine, but the actual switch unit in mine was toast, so I had no internal illumination(but everything else worked). Changing the switch unit fixed that. Hopefully yours just needs turning up tho!

[TheLettingsKid]

No comment On an unrelated topic... all sorted now!! Ha - thank you!