dash gauge lights very dim

[Marc Weinstein]

lights illuminating gauges are very dim! (although brighter since new alternator installed)should I replace control switch?-seems to do nothing as far as brightness control is concerned. Any feedback appreciated. Marc

[waveridin1959]

My instruments are pretty dim too. It could just be a Defender thing. I know old CJ's and my neighbor's FJ40 all have dim gauges.

[Berty]

Marc, they are pathetically dim as standard :rolleyes . You can replace the bulbs with slightly higher wattage variants. You need to be careful though as anything over 5W (I think) will melt the lampholders & wiring.

In the UK a few people are replacing the bulbs with LED's. Coloured for extra Bling! :grin
There is a thread in the International forum over on LRE from a couple of days ago with more details.

[Mike Hippert]

If you can read them then they are OK, if you can't then the switch may have come disconnected. The part of the dash the switch is on comes off with easy, just 3 screws.

[Berty]

further to my earlier post 5W bulbs will melt the holders & wires!
So don't use them!
The LED's to fit are the 501 bulb replacement type. Wide angle.
The white LED's will make your dials appear ice blue:cool:
www.ultraleds.com (http://www.ultraleds.com/)
Look under car 12V led bulb replacements.

[Davis]

Also, there is a "dim" switch depending on year that is located to the left of the steering column. My 94 has this and it took me quite some time to realize why my lights were so dim. Flicked the switch and vawalla!

[rover4x4]

elaborate on the LED's, are they just plug and chug, or is there furthur alteratation needed in order to accomadate them???

[flippedrover]

Any one know if there is US seller of the LED replacement lights??

[flippedrover]

From what I read on the site it looks like plug and chug.

[mpodgorski]

this is a large US distributor for LED lighting
they will have what you are looking for, http://www.ledtronics.com/.

[Mike Hippert]

You may want to check out the Auto-Parts store, they have LED replacements around here that all the "ricers" use.

[Berty]

Phil, they are plug & chug;)
You will need 4 off.
2 for the speedo, 1 for fuel & 1 for temp. If you've got a rev counter or clock, you'll have to have a look yourselves:tounge

[Red90]

Link to LRE Thread (http://www.lrenthusiastforum.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB7&Number=221362&page=3&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=93&fpart=all)

[artm]

My 97 has the switch and on high the lighting is very bright. I always keep it low so the bulbs last longer.

Since apparently this is also in 94's, I'd take it out and check it.

[Marc Weinstein]

Any one in the US have the correct led part#'s for dash gauges, and has anyone done this to a NAS d-90, all positve stuff on UK sites. Marc mdw168@aol

[Defender50th]

Hello,

I have LED's in my Defender 50th Anniversary which is basically a 1997 NAS.

The dial bulbs you need are:
Spedo: 2 x 509T Twist Fit Standard Led Dash Bulb
Fuel: 501
Temp: 501
Rev counter: 286 Dash Board Slim wedge bulb

I replaced mine with white bulbs and they look great (sorry havent got a pic).
Just make sure the bulbs have the same brightness or they will look odd.

i think my dials are the same as a NAS, pic atached to compare:

Best regards

James