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digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:18 pm
by bogney
Got an e30 with the trip computer and the digital display has gone very dim...
Any ideas why and how I may correct the problem?
Thanks for any advice
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:21 pm
by Alex
its probably the obc backlight around £22 from the dealers or solder new bulbs in
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:23 pm
by magpie
you need to remove the obc,
i take it it's a 13 button one,remove the backlight board from the side using pliers and go to maplins with it get 2x bulbs the same,the solder them in or have someone do it for you,
i had two light boards repaired for £15 total.
when getting the bulbs you can upgrade to led if you wish
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:23 pm
by Speedtouch
Have you tried turning the headlight switch, as it acts as the dashboard lights dimmer.
Note, if you change to LEDs, the dashboard light dimmer function will not work with them - they remain at full brightness.
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:24 pm
by pacerpete
Alex wrote:its probably the obc backlight around £22 from the dealers or solder new bulbs in
OBC bulb cartridges are now £34 ish +vat !
Time to get out the soldering iron.
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:25 pm
by Alex
pacerpete wrote:Alex wrote:its probably the obc backlight around £22 from the dealers or solder new bulbs in
OBC bulb cartridges are now £34 ish +vat !
Time to get out the soldering iron.
Ouch
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:29 pm
by bogney
Yeah its the 13 button one. Cheers for that. Have you seen an LED one working? Does it look good?
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:32 pm
by magpie
not seen 1 but i know some have done it.
i stayed with normal bulbs.
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:34 pm
by magpie
i'm sure there is a thread in the wiki on obc removal,
have a look and all your next questions will be answered there
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:35 pm
by ImysE30
Is there an advantage of using LED bulbs rather than the normal ones? I need some new ones too
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:35 pm
by Alex
ImysE30 wrote:Is there an advantage of using LED bulbs rather than the normal ones? I need some new ones too
last longer
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:36 pm
by magpie
ImysE30 wrote:Is there an advantage of using LED bulbs rather than the normal ones? I need some new ones too
i spose they last a hell of a lot longer.
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:36 pm
by Speedtouch
LEDs potentially last forever, but it's hard to get them to dim - you need to use pulse width modulation (i.e., flash them on and off at varying rates), not just use a rheostat as with bulbs.
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:37 pm
by ImysE30
Alex wrote:ImysE30 wrote:Is there an advantage of using LED bulbs rather than the normal ones? I need some new ones too
last longer
Another thing added to the list
Where's the best place to get the LEDs/Bulbs from?
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:39 pm
by Alex
i bodged a bulb out of a clock in, although the solder didnt work very well now it flickers on and off
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:47 pm
by magpie
ImysE30 wrote:Alex wrote:ImysE30 wrote:Is there an advantage of using LED bulbs rather than the normal ones? I need some new ones too
last longer
Another thing added to the list
Where's the best place to get the LEDs/Bulbs from?
MAPLINS
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:57 pm
by ImysE30
Re: digital display.... very dim
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:08 pm
by StevE30
I got hold of 2 Orange LED's for mine and soldered them in, cost me 49p to fix in total
you need a resistor between the two LED's as well, think I used a 300 Ohm.