no instrument lights - 86 325 conv...

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JJbRacing
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Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:06 pm

No lights on the dash :( swapped the instrument cluster yesterday (odometer not working) and that didnt solve the problem. all the warning lights work, but bugger all lighting on dials and also on heater controls etc.

On a similar note my heater only works on 4 - all the rest and its off :(

Fuses look ok - so before i start buggering about with the voltmeter any ideas on things it might be?

The glove box light is working (but its a pre 88 so asume thats not an issue in any case?) so any clues apreciated!

First track day in 10 days time in her so need to get this, a stereo wired in and a real wheel baring sorted... clocks ticking :D

cheers lads
jez
mrLEE30
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Wed Oct 19, 2005 8:34 am

are the bulbs blown???!!!

do you have ashtray lights???

are there any other lights on at all, such as headlight surround.


and of course is the dimmer switch turned all the way down (by turning the headlight switch)

if all obvious things are ok then check fuse 23 (7.5 A)

if that ok then most likely to be the dimmer switch, try chenging the headlight switch/dimmer switch for another one
JJbRacing
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Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:43 am

the bulbs i checked looked ok... dimmer switch sounds like a good plan so ill swap that out. only lights in car working are window switchgear, glovebox and dash warnings at the moment - i beleive all these arent effected by dimmer so your suggestion sounds good :D
mrLEE30
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Thu Oct 20, 2005 7:13 am

if only those lights working they are on a different circuit, dash, ashtays, and heater surround all are via the dimmer switch, sorry been checking bentley manual to see what wires to check voltage on, but can't find it, its not the green/white or green/yellow or green/red but probably easier to change the whole thing.

to change is easy, remove panel below steering wheel, feel behind the headlight switch for two nuts, remove them, pull the switch assembly out fomr the front, remove the wiring socket and replace.

mrlee
JJbRacing
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Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:26 pm

ok - so dimmer switch changed and we have lights :)

had to patch a later connector onto the wiring as my spare switches were all using a newer plug - but job done and we have light!

just the on/off heater now :( already tried swapping the switch with another and same problem off on all settings except 4 where she blows like a goodun.

any ideas?
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chu346
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Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:32 pm

Thats normally the heater resistor
JJbRacing
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Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:34 pm

and where would that little bunny live?
e30 320i Touring
e30 325i Convertible
4x e30's in bits, Elise, Rangey and a Jedi :)
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chu346
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Thu Oct 20, 2005 7:45 pm

Errr.... I've never done one on one of these. They are normally in the middle of the scuttle panel area, near or on the blower casing.
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