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thebigben Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2020 Posts: 94 Location: California
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 6:59 pm Post subject: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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Hey all!
Picking up my Vanagon tomorrow after nearly 4 months of work at Westy World -- beyond excited.
They told me today that the lights in my gauge are really dim, and that it's because of the blue printed circuit foil disintegrating (they tried replacing the bulbs).
I'm between three options:
1. Using my multimeter to track down the break and, if it's a broken trace along the foil, repair with conductive paint. (Cheapest option, but definitely a short-term fix!). Would also inspect harness of course.
2. GoWesty Repair Kit https://www.gowesty.com/product/-/24189/replacement-kit-for-printed-circuit-foil-?v=
3. Vanagon Repair Kit https://www.vanagon.org/products/instrument-cluster-foil-repair-kit
One reason I'm considering 1 is that I'd rather not lose the warm glow of the incandescent bulbs.
Thoughts/experience with either? Or are they equivalent? _________________ Ben
'85 2WD Westy w/ Peloquin TBD + 2.2 Subi (Kurt Vannegut) |
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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2780 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 7:26 pm Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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All I can say is the conductive paint repair is a total PITA, at least for me, and the vanagon.org kit is affordable, easy to install, reliable/functional and simple to repair.
Also, I know you were working with the pros at Westy world, but 100% sure dimmer switch is good? _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual |
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VicVan Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2015 Posts: 1826 Location: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 7:29 pm Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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Option 1 is cheaper. At least test the voltage at the bulbs, and clean the grounds.
Other cheap option: rewire the light bulbs directly from the connector _________________ '90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH) |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7404 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 8:38 pm Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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thebigben wrote: |
Hey all!
They told me today that the lights in my gauge are really dim, and that it's because of the blue printed circuit foil disintegrating (they tried replacing the bulbs).
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So the idea is that the foil carries enough current to complete the circuit but not enough to burn the light at full brightness? That seems fishy but I wouldn't know for certain.
My first step would be to use a jumper to the base of the lamp to augment the foil to see if it gets any brighter.
I'm fine with the dim incandescents because I like the warmth. Some folks love the 6000k bright white LEDs but I don't need gauges that bright. _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 2982 Location: MD
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 8:52 pm Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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Step 1 is to check they didn't bump the dimmer all the way down. _________________ '87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12103 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 9:09 pm Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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On Mercedes, I solder a bridge across the dimmer posts, since I don't think I've ever once turned down incandescent dash lights. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Alaskaberrys Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2016 Posts: 1000 Location: SE Alaska
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 9:27 pm Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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I installed the Gowesty kit on our westy - pretty happy with it, a bit more “solid” than the Vanagon.org kit which I installed in my diesel doka. But they both have worked well - the LED’s are brighter.
But what I found I really liked was the plasma gauge setup - http://t3technique.com/electrical/plasma-gauge-set/
Install requires some major cluster disassembly (download and read the instructions before buying!) and can be easily damaged on install (lost fuel gauge section on my doka a few months in) but makes it pretty easy to see everything you need to see with LED’s dimmed as low as they can go. _________________ '91 Westfalia, Bordeaux Red Pearl 2.1L 2wd Auto
'91 T3 Syncro Doka, Escorial Green 1.9L TD AAZ “Gremian” (to provoke, irritate, exasperate, vex...) |
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jlrftype7 Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018 Posts: 3549 Location: Chicago
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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 7:09 am Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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My issue was rusted reflectors above the cluster bulbs. I removed them and used my baking soda blaster to clean them up. You get a bit of rust prevention from the residue of the baking soda, so I haven’t repainted those reflectors at all.
Made a big difference in total brightness across the whole face of the gauges. Before, it was like a shadow falling across the lower half of the gauges as the light output got feeble further away from the bulbs.
_________________ '68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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CanStan Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2005 Posts: 1036 Location: Calgary, AB
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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 8:37 am Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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thebigben wrote: |
One reason I'm considering 1 is that I'd rather not lose the warm glow of the incandescent bulbs. |
It seems like 99% of LED bulbs available are 'cool white', which gives you that bright white (almost blue) look. I'm like you- I much prefer the more 'yellow' look of the old incandescents. If you search hard enough, you'll be able to find some 'warm white' bulbs. It takes some searching, but I've been able to find them for both the dash and interior dome lights, and to me it looks 1000x better. |
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stuzbot Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2018 Posts: 377 Location: Pining for the Puddles of Yesterday
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 3:45 am Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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4Gears4Tires wrote: |
Step 1 is to check they didn't bump the dimmer all the way down. |
That was my immediate first thought.
Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
On Mercedes, I solder a bridge across the dimmer posts, since I don't think I've ever once turned down incandescent dash lights. |
I usually turn my dimmer down til the gauges are just visible. I find it really distracting when driving at night to have a bright light source at the periphery of my vision, when I'm concentrating on the road ahead.
Mind you, I think my eyes are quite sensitive to glarey light. I usually have my laptop screen brightness on about 3 or 4 dots. The missus has hers on full. Cue lots of fun whenever we want to show each other something on screen...
ME: Turn it down. Jeebus! Where are my welding goggles?
MISSUS: Turn it up. I can't even see the screen! _________________ *****************************
Click to view image
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1992 VW LT35 2,4D [SOLD]
1993 VW LT35 2,4D [SOLD]
1992 VW T3 1,6TD Syncro [SOLD]
***************************** |
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VicVan Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2015 Posts: 1826 Location: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 9:30 am Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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stuzbot wrote: |
I find it really distracting when driving at night to have a bright light source at the periphery of my vision, when I'm concentrating on the road ahead.
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Red LEDs help in that regard. _________________ '90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH) |
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thebigben Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2020 Posts: 94 Location: California
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 10:29 am Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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Good thought on the dimmer switch. It might have something to do with it — the lights for the VintageAir controls sporadically turn on or off if i touch the dial whatsoever.
Also noticing that the headlight switch is a bit flaky — sometimes the high beams don’t stick on (I have to hold them on) and the side markers stay on even once I turned the car + headlights off. (But if I flip the switch back and forth, they turn off)
Will take it apart once I get home. _________________ Ben
'85 2WD Westy w/ Peloquin TBD + 2.2 Subi (Kurt Vannegut) |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7404 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 12:33 pm Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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thebigben wrote: |
Hey all!
Picking up my Vanagon tomorrow after nearly 4 months of work at Westy World -- beyond excited.
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Four months of shop time and all we get is dim dash lights? What about the bumpers, new engine, interior or whatever it was that kept them busy? _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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shadetreemech Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2005 Posts: 777 Location: Claremont, CA
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thebigben Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2020 Posts: 94 Location: California
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Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 11:31 pm Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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my first ever trip report is coming soon — stay tuned 😀 _________________ Ben
'85 2WD Westy w/ Peloquin TBD + 2.2 Subi (Kurt Vannegut) |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32433 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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joyfulpursuit Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2021 Posts: 50 Location: Western Washington
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Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 3:45 pm Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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djkeev wrote: |
Alaskaberrys wrote: |
I installed the Gowesty kit on our westy - pretty happy with it, a bit more “solid” than the Vanagon.org kit which I installed in my diesel doka. But they both have worked well - the LED’s are brighter.
But what I found I really liked was the plasma gauge setup - http://t3technique.com/electrical/plasma-gauge-set/
Install requires some major cluster disassembly (download and read the instructions before buying!) and can be easily damaged on install (lost fuel gauge section on my doka a few months in) but makes it pretty easy to see everything you need to see with LED’s dimmed as low as they can go. |
I never knew this instrument face kit existed!
And T3 has it in stock.
The difference is AMAZING in the video......
I often need to study the temperature or fuel gauge for a second to get a reading....... yes, Now that you ask........ I am indeed both old and blind!
the price is more than fair ......
Order placed!
Dave |
You're going to love it.
Here's mine installed:
_________________ 📖 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, Jesus,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life - John 3:16
🚐 1987 Westy, EJ22 small car conversion
🚗 1991 e30 325i Sport MTech II coupe
📸 instagram.com/joyfilledpursuit |
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thebigben Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2020 Posts: 94 Location: California
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32433 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Squidfish Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2004 Posts: 336 Location: 95519
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Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 5:41 pm Post subject: Re: Gauge Lights Too Dim: Best Aftermarket Option? |
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thebigben wrote: |
Good thought on the dimmer switch. It might have something to do with it — the lights for the VintageAir controls sporadically turn on or off if i touch the dial whatsoever.
Also noticing that the headlight switch is a bit flaky — sometimes the high beams don’t stick on (I have to hold them on) and the side markers stay on even once I turned the car + headlights off. (But if I flip the switch back and forth, they turn off)
Will take it apart once I get home. |
Chances are your headlight switch is not to blame for the high beams; it is probably the stalk itself. It's amazing how much corrosion builds up on these components; like the side markers and corresponding grounds. The joys of 35 YO project vehicles always something to tinker with! _________________ 1985.5 - Vanagon Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg Edition - LH8U - "Penny"
- 2.6i 5-Cylinder 10v (2004) |
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