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blackglasspirate Samba Member

Joined: June 24, 2006 Posts: 1632
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 4:17 pm Post subject: Clock light not working after cluster removal |
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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 |
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xflyer Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2006 Posts: 313 Location: SOCAL
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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blackglasspirate Samba Member

Joined: June 24, 2006 Posts: 1632
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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syncrodoka Samba Member

Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 12307 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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atomatom Samba Member

Joined: May 15, 2012 Posts: 1911 Location: in an 84 Westy or Bowen Island, BC
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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blackglasspirate Samba Member

Joined: June 24, 2006 Posts: 1632
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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