Hi all

 

I have been looking through variuos threads but didn't find anything Favorit specific.

 

It seems the lamp in my dashboard indicating if my headlights are on does not work anymore (I tried banging the dash incase the connection was just lose). Anyway it seems the bulb is gone. I will dive into the haynes manual later today.One thing I have never touch is the dash and I am a little uneasy about taking it apart.  I was wondering if there are any tips that I should know or be aware of  on getting access to the dash to easily replace the bulbs?

 

I am also tempted to see about changing the bulbs to LEDs as the illumiation at night is generally terrible for the dials. maybe just a clean up of the filters is needed.

Taking the dashboard apart in a favorit is pretty easy (I've got removal and reassembly down to about 15 minutes, by now. ); and the Haynes manual is pretty good regarding the process. Just keep track of which screws came out of where, and you should be golden.

 

Getting the instrument panel out can be a little fiddly with the speedometer cable attached; but if you're careful, you can feed the speedometer cable through the dash a little (either from the engine bay side, or by gently pulling it with your hand behind the instruments) which will allow you enough room to unscrew the plastic nut.

About LEDs instead of bulbs as gauges backlight:

1. Generally LEDs have a narrow illumination angle opposed to bulbs that spread the light at 180 degrees. You'll end up either with a backlight too bright or with blotches of light.
2. Bulbs tend to darken with age. The plastic light guide / diffuser melts from heat and gets brownish. Put new bulbs and sand off the brown plastic then apply clear nail polish.

Hi

 

Thanks for the tips they are useful. and I will keep them in mind.

 

I have ordered LED replacement bulbs not only to replace the blown ones but thought I may aswell replace the old working ones if I am opening up the dash anyway. I will have a crack at it next week when they arrive. Hopefully they will look ok.

Tamber. I can see how you do it in 15 mins there are only 7 screws to take out. Took me a little longer I was being cautious however the fear has gone I was expecting it to be a bit more tricky. Next time I am goibg for the 15 mins or less!

 

Well overall I am very satisfied with the results the gauges light up so much better now. I didn't replace every bulb in the end however. The LEDs work really well as a backlight, not too bright nor to fucosed on one area so I was really happy with that.

 

I also managed to inadvertently fix something that has been bothering me for a long time. The needle on the speedo didn't move too well before and could be a little jumpy, however now the needle moves up and down really smoothly. I am presuming the cable wasn't tightened that well to the back of the unit.

Edited 1 July, 201511 yr by Dom_FAV