Dash lights / illumination

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
User avatar
James134
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 58
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2015 11:00 pm

Fri Apr 08, 2016 4:31 pm

Image

As you can see the dash lights on my 325 are extremely dim/ non existent. I've turned off the headuint so its more clear but basically i have very little dash lights working. the only ones seeming to be working properly are 3 and 4 on the fan heater setting. the rest is very dim except the rest of the heater panel which just isn't lighting up at all!

I know the OBC display bulb has gone and needs replacing, but what would be causing just some of the rest of the dash to not be lighting up properly? The fuses all seem okay and the rear numberplate lights are working as they should, its just annoying!

Cheers
jimbom30cab
Tech 1 freak
Posts: 7634
Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: in the garage

Fri Apr 08, 2016 6:04 pm

maybe you just need some new bulbs in there?

ebay sells them pretty cheap

assuming you twisted the headlight switch fully to the right
User avatar
pierce
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 226
Joined: Sat May 30, 2015 11:00 pm

Fri Apr 08, 2016 7:48 pm

Mind blown.

Never knew you could twist it :cry: :cry:
User avatar
James134
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 58
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2015 11:00 pm

Sat Apr 09, 2016 7:43 pm

Yeah, it took me a while to figure out the twist thing, sadly that just changes the brightness of the fan setting lights! any idea what type of bulbs? a quick google cant find an answer
jimbom30cab
Tech 1 freak
Posts: 7634
Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: in the garage

Sat Apr 09, 2016 9:32 pm

User avatar
James134
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 58
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2015 11:00 pm

Sun Apr 10, 2016 2:03 pm

Cheers, ordered. Hope that fixes it
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Sun Apr 10, 2016 2:38 pm

James134 wrote:Cheers, ordered. Hope that fixes it
Those are the bulbs for all the others that are blown, except the instrument cluster ones. These are type 501, IIRC, but they must be 3W versions, not the much more common 5W type, or else things will melt.
Sonatine
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 101
Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 11:00 pm
Location: Grampian Riviera

Wed May 04, 2016 8:00 pm

What is the technique for replacing the bulbs behind the heaters? I don't know how to take it apart to check.
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Wed May 04, 2016 9:13 pm

LH one is just below the clock, so, as long as you have an analogue clock and not an OBC, simply pull off the clock surround, unclip the clock, and the bulb is easily reachrd through the hole.
RH bulb can be reached by removing the two centre consoles. The bulb is roughly below the fan speed knob, but sits at an angle, and can be difficult to refit.
Sonatine
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 101
Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 11:00 pm
Location: Grampian Riviera

Wed May 04, 2016 9:32 pm

Thanks It was more about removing the consoles themselves. Does the whole dash have to be removed?
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Wed May 04, 2016 10:33 pm

Dash doesn't have to be touched.
Post Reply