Upgrading dash illumination

[capri_rob]

Since I bought my touring I have had to give the top of the dash a thump most times I turn the lights on to get the left hand side of the clocks to light up.

And then when they do with the dimmer on the max setting its not particularly well lit. So I need to get the clocks out, and get the bulbs out to clean the connections if nothing else.

Has anyone replaced the standard bulbs with LED's ? If so can you give me a link to ones that fit ?

I still want it the same colour - just brighter - if not can the red bulb covers be removed and cleaned ?

[DanThe]

I doubt you would get the same effect with LED's
Just make sure you get the correct watt bulbs as if you go higher it will melt stuff

[capri_rob]

I was thinking LED's as I thought they run cooler as well as brighter - maybe the existing bulbs are just tired.

Can the red covers be cleaned ?

[DanThe]

Its just an orange tinted plastic cover, I would be surprised it they were even dirty TBH, probably just old bulbs with bad connection

[daimlerman]

The light filters up from the bottom of the cluster,there's just two 3w bulbs.(those capless type as used elsewhere in the interior)
So careful dismantling of the cluster and cleaning out 27 years of dust will almost certainly brighten things up.

[capri_rob]

Cheers guys I will just get some new standard bulbs and give it a good clean

[Cypriotgeeza]

Time for an update.

Fitted plasma dials, they looks miles better than the originals and light up just right. They look pretty oem.

from bhups thread..you might want to send him a PM mate

[appletree]

They look good, what are plasma dials though?

[Brianmoooore]

The bulb on the LH side of your cluster is actually blown. Hitting the dash shakes the filament, and when the ends touch, current flows and the ends are held together magnetically until the lamp is turned off.
I've never heard anybody describe E30 cluster lighting on full brightness as inadequate until this thread, so the chances are both your bulbs are have the inside of the glass blackened by metal deposited.
I did find the lighting on one of my cabs. to be below par, which turned out to be that someone had removed the orange domes and the entire light guides. I have no idea why.

[capri_rob]

Thanks Brian that would explain a lot. Do you know what bulbs I need to order to replace them ?

[daimlerman]

The light filters up from the bottom of the cluster,there's just two 3w bulbs.(those capless type as used elsewhere in the interior)
So careful dismantling of the cluster and cleaning out 27 years of dust will almost certainly brighten things up.

[capri_rob]

Ordered cheers guys.

[SAP1]

I seem to be having the same issue, even though the switch has been turned to full brightness its seems way to dim. It's almost like the switch is on half brightness

Even the lights on the clock and the heater controls are dim

I have tried new headlight control switch and new bulbs and that still didn't solve the fault

[Automaton]

these?

https://moman.pl/eu/bmw-e30---original- ... 18479.html