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Dash courtesy light
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MikeCorbitt
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 9:38 pm    Post subject: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

On my "new to me" 1990 Westy, the dashboard courtesy light positioned above the glovebox continually falls out. Nothing looks broken; it just looks like poor fitment. If this is a common problem, are there recommended fixes? Thanks.
Mike
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Red Ryder
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 9:59 pm    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

Unfortunately this is very common. Be careful putting the light back in place. It is easy to short out one of the bulb contacts on the metal underneath the vinyl.
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Wildthings
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 12:34 am    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

Just run an appropriately size bead of silicone around the edges of the light and reinstall. You might be able to just do the ends, it has been so long now (decades) since I did mine that I little memory of exactly what I did. Yes you need to tape up or use heat shrink on the one positive contact so it can not short out.
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DuncanS
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 4:57 am    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

Used hot melt glue.
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MikeCorbitt
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 8:13 am    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

Thanks for the feedback. I'll try the silicone and heat shrink. I blew multiple fuses re-inserting the light (slow learned) before I wised up.
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Red Ryder
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 3:56 pm    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

Consider installing an LED replacement bulb before you permanently seal the light in place. Should last as long as you own the vehicle.
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MikeCorbitt
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 4:24 pm    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

Good idea on using an LED replacement bulb. Thanks for the tip.
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Vashon
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 1:02 pm    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

I have had lots of issuses with that darn map light. falls out ,shorts out , fiddly connectors etc. led bulb is better but dosnt fix old design issues. I ordered one of these yesterday. https://www.uniwerksdesign.com/product/maplightpod/

I have one of Chriss overheadlight panels and it works great so his map light should be a much needed improvement over the oem light.
As I just ordered this and saw this post today ,I thought it might be a relevent alternative for others.

Tim
87 westy
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MikeCorbitt
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 2:22 pm    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

Tim,
Thanks for sharing. This looks like a viable option. Let is know how the fitment is once you've installed it.
Mike
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kourt
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 6:33 pm    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

I just installed one of the Uniwerks map light pods.

My old map light (over the glove box) was broken by the Westy rotating seat and its seat back organizer.

The new Uniwerks map light is nice. It does not get caught by the seat back organizer.

My old VW map light and the new Uniwerks map light both had to be secured with one short (1/4") stainless panhead sheet metal screw. Insert the map light assembly and then tighten the screw on the side with the lesser bevel edge (study the profile of the light pod). This will keep the light in place.

kourt
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coqcitywesty
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 8:08 pm    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

The original dash light served me as nothing more than a major sense of stress as my ‘co-pilot’ had/has a habit of regularly crossing/uncrossing her legs and inevitably hitting the switch and/or light with her foot or knee and either shorting it out or bending the switch. Shorting it out usually killed the radio as well as they are on the same fuse. Mad

I solved the problem by swapping it out for a GW USB port and purchasing a flexible USB led light. I now drive stress-free and if ‘we’ need light on that side of the dash, the led light gets used. Very Happy
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 1:08 am    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

My dash light stays in just fine and works just fine.

I am annoyed with how easily it switches on when bumped or brushed against!
It is a battery killer just waiting.......

I like the uniwerks alternative.

Dave
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 6:32 am    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

I put in one of these things from GoWesty:

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https://www.gowesty.com/product/12-volt-accessorie...p-light?v=

...then added a cheap flexible LED lamp from Amazon.

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The second USB port from the dash thing powers my XM radio.
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MikeCorbitt
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 8:49 am    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

Joe, what are the two gauges mounted in place of the ashtray?
Mike
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joetiger Premium Member
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 9:02 am    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

MikeCorbitt wrote:
Joe, what are the two gauges mounted in place of the ashtray?
Mike


The pod is from T3 Technique:

https://t3technique.com/electrical/dual-gauge-pod.html

I have oil pressure and house battery voltage in there right now, but I'm thinking of swapping out the volt meter for a redundant coolant temp gauge.
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com
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MikeCorbitt
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 10:11 am    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

I prefer gauges and it's the oil pressure and coolant temp I want. Thanks for the information.
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Bleyseng
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 11:03 am    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

Yeah first thing I did was install a coolant and oil pressure gauges in the ashtray pod. Gotta know what those are driving down the road.
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MikeCorbitt
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 11:17 am    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

Where did you source these? I'm finding a VDO oil pressure gauge at Bus Depot but not a Coolant Temperature gauge.
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4Gears4Tires
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 11:19 am    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

You can find aftermarket gauges anywhere. Jegs, Amazon, Ebay, straight from the brand,... https://www.autometer.com/2-water-temp-100-250-f-sse-sport-comp.html
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joetiger Premium Member
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:10 pm    Post subject: Re: Dash courtesy light Reply with quote

MikeCorbitt wrote:
Where did you source these? I'm finding a VDO oil pressure gauge at Bus Depot but not a Coolant Temperature gauge.


If you can find a VW cabriolet, Rabbit Pickup, Scirocco, or Rabbit GTI at a U-pull-it yard, the console has VDO gauges that can be had for next to nothing. Otherwise, Ebay has a bunch.

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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com
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