e30 320i instrument cluster lights problem

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m3mpower
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Location: north london

Post Tue Feb 14, 2006 10:19 pm

hi, when i switch the lights on in my car, only one side of the instrument cluster lights up, the right side which contains the rev counter and temperature gauge, the other side with the fuel gauge and the speedo meter doesnt light up, i have to give it a slap on top of the dash board to light up,
any idea what this is please?
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Brianmoooore
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Post Tue Feb 14, 2006 10:45 pm

A dud bulb!!
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kombikat
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Post Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:20 pm

Surely if it lights up following a smack the bulb cannot be a dud - rather there's a poor contact somewhere.
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Brianmoooore
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Post Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:05 am

kombikat wrote:Surely if it lights up following a smack the bulb cannot be a dud - rather there's a poor contact somewhere.
Broken ends of the filament touch, current flows producing a magnetic field which holds the ends together untill the lamp is turned off. Very common.