dashboard bulbs
Moderator: martauto
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juser
- E30 Zone Newbie
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Any one know what these are or where to get from...
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greg124
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pm sent
Schadenfreude - the German's haven't got a word for that.
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
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The code for these bulbs is 286. Readily available on ebay and anywhere else you'd expect to find automotive bulbs. 12 volts 1.2W.
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juser
- E30 Zone Newbie
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sweet thanks! I got some from Maplins, but I'm sure that my dash board isn't very bright for some reason
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TPS
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Stupid question, Is the Brightness control on the Headlight switch working?
1991 325i Touring Alpine White II
1994 318i Touring Sterling Silver
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juser
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Cheers mate, do you know if these are the same bulbs that are inside the instrument cluster? When I'm driving at night, the panel is barely visible... I'm guessing this is to do with the lights been old and black throughout the years....Brianmoooore wrote:The code for these bulbs is 286. Readily available on ebay and anywhere else you'd expect to find automotive bulbs. 12 volts 1.2W.
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juser
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Do you know what... I don't think I have one? I've not spotted it... Where about is it??TPS wrote:Stupid question, Is the Brightness control on the Headlight switch working?
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Brianmoooore
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The bulbs that light the cluster are physically larger than the other bulbs, and are rated at 3W.
5W versions of these bulbs are commonly used as side light bulbs, but if you fit these, the heat from them WILL melt things in the cluster. You need to use the correct 3W ones.
If you have an E30, then you will have the dimmer control! Try rotating the lighting switch knob.
5W versions of these bulbs are commonly used as side light bulbs, but if you fit these, the heat from them WILL melt things in the cluster. You need to use the correct 3W ones.
If you have an E30, then you will have the dimmer control! Try rotating the lighting switch knob.
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capnmchl
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Took me ages to find that out. I just thought it span round for no reason.
Are those black strips above the headlight control and foglight switches meant to light up or something then?
Are those black strips above the headlight control and foglight switches meant to light up or something then?
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Brianmoooore
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Yes; there's a 1.2W capless bulb that lights it up, that should be lit all the time the ignition is on.capnmchl wrote: Are those black strips above the headlight control and foglight switches meant to light up or something then?
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juser
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Amazing... Like capnmchl I thought that span round for no reason... I did though notice that the black strips were meant to light up! 
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capnmchl
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Haha. I had a feeling they did because you can see the outline of a foglight symbol and sidelight symbol. I'll rip mine out today and replace the bulbs.
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juser
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Stupidly enough, I since then looked for the brightness control, turned it fully to the right and voila, my lightbulb problems have all vanished. Thanks again for your help!TPS wrote:Stupid question, Is the Brightness control on the Headlight switch working?