Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Clock light not working after cluster removal
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
blackglasspirate
Samba Member


Joined: June 24, 2006
Posts: 1632

blackglasspirate is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 4:17 pm    Post subject: Clock light not working after cluster removal Reply with quote

Hey All,

I removed my instrument cluster to replace the speedo and when I put it back together the clock light no longer worked. I took it out again and inspected and found a screw on the back of the tach that was coming out because the plastic had broken. It was holding in a chip of some kind.
Anyway, the bulb for the clock looked fine, so I fixed the screw and put it back together but still no go. Also, now that it's back together I notice that the light above the LED indicators (OXS, Coolant, etc.) isn't working. I twisted the light socket slightly and it came on, then twisted it back and it turned off, but now I can't get it to come back on again.

So at this point both the clock light and light over the LED panel are out and I'm not sure what could be the cause. Any troubleshooting tips on this?
_________________
'87 Vanagon GL Westfalia
IG: @holidayatsee
FB: https://www.facebook.com/holidayatsee
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
xflyer
Samba Member


Joined: June 15, 2006
Posts: 313
Location: SOCAL
xflyer is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 4:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Probably need new bulbs. When you remove the cluster the filaments are likely to break.
Also the connection from the bulb to the copper trace on the flexible printed circuit is troublesome. You might need to clean the bulb contact places on the copper with a coarse eraser. Be very gentle the circuits are NLA. GoWesty offers a replacement harness.
_________________
1989 Campmobile, 1984 7 passenger beater Vanagon
Both with cool A/C
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
blackglasspirate
Samba Member


Joined: June 24, 2006
Posts: 1632

blackglasspirate is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 5:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the tip. This may be a dumb question but how do you remove the bulb holders? I started to try but the plastic is so brittle I was afraid to go further.
_________________
'87 Vanagon GL Westfalia
IG: @holidayatsee
FB: https://www.facebook.com/holidayatsee
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
syncrodoka
Samba Member


Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12307
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
syncrodoka is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 5:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The bulb only offers illumination, it doesn't affect clock function.

The bulb turns 90 degrees and then they pull out if you need to replace one for some reason.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
atomatom
Samba Member


Joined: May 15, 2012
Posts: 1911
Location: in an 84 Westy or Bowen Island, BC
atomatom is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 6:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

gently wiggle the foil. foiled again? at least, that happened to me when i did the LED upgrade (best bang for buck upgrade) and i lost a light before it came back. light bulb holder may also be crusty, so wiggle bulbs.
_________________
84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
blackglasspirate
Samba Member


Joined: June 24, 2006
Posts: 1632

blackglasspirate is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 7:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ahh, ok. I thought it was just twist and remove but it wasn't turning to easy and I didn't want to break another darn plastic piece. I'll give it a shot and clean the contacts and everything to see if it makes a difference. The filament in the clock bulb *seemed* fine, but who knows. Hopefully I can get this working again soon, but I've got an engine/transmission swap scheduled this week so it may get pushed to the back burner until that's done!
_________________
'87 Vanagon GL Westfalia
IG: @holidayatsee
FB: https://www.facebook.com/holidayatsee
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2025, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.