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50Splitman
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2004
Posts: 366
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 Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 8:53 pm Post subject: 50 standard speedometer backlight |
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| My speedometer backlight in my original 50 standard beetle is very dim to the point where it really doesn’t illuminate the numbers or needle at night. The bulb is new, the housing and bulb holder are clean, and the bulb appears bright when I ground it out of the speedometer housing. Is there something I should be looking at to improve the backlighting? I’ve had many air cooled VWs over the years and have never seen a speedometer backlight so dim. |
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EverettB 
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69882
Location: Phoenix Metro
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| Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 9:23 pm Post subject: Re: 50 standard speedometer backlight |
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Take apart the speedometer and paint the housing insides white or silver.
I've done this before, it was noticeably brighter.
An LED bulb is brighter and less work but depending on how much reflection is there in the housing, it may not work to your satisfaction.
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wagen19
Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2007
Posts: 36
Location: germany
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| Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 11:13 pm Post subject: Re: 50 standard speedometer backlight |
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| 50Splitman wrote: |
| My speedometer backlight in my original 50 standard beetle is very dim to the point where it really doesn’t illuminate the numbers or needle at night. The bulb is new, the housing and bulb holder are clean, and the bulb appears bright when I ground it out of the speedometer housing. Is there something I should be looking at to improve the backlighting? I’ve had many air cooled VWs over the years and have never seen a speedometer backlight so dim. |
The speedo-housing is grounded only by the speedocable. This can be a very weak ground and high resistance. You can try a separate groud-cable and compare. There are BA 7 s bulbs with 0,6 W, 1,2 W and 2,0 W available. |
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Bruce
Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003
Posts: 17302
Location: Left coast, Canada
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| Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 11:17 pm Post subject: Re: 50 standard speedometer backlight |
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It's dim because you have a 12V bulb.
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50Splitman
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2004
Posts: 366
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| Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2024 1:49 pm Post subject: Re: 50 standard speedometer backlight |
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Checked the bulb - is is 6V, and I tried several new and used and same result.
I cleaned the contact point between the speedo and the speedo cable and no difference.
I’ll pull apart next to check if the inside is clean and bright or needs a repaint. |
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