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MPV Section - Forums for Multi Purpose Vehicles: => Ford Galaxy Forum - Mk1 / Mk2 inc. VW Sharan and SEAT Alhambra (1995-2006) => Topic started by: Fraz-ktf on October 16, 2013, 07:16:23 PM

Title: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Fraz-ktf on October 16, 2013, 07:16:23 PM
Loved the blue instruments in my Passats and I'd love to convert the Gal to blue.

Anyone done it or know if it's possible?  What type of bulb & how many do I need?  (Just to save stripping the car down, to wait a week for them to arrive  ;) )
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Fraz-ktf on October 16, 2013, 08:01:19 PM
Quote from: Fraz-ktf on October 16, 2013, 07:16:23 PM
Loved the blue instruments in my Passats and I'd love to convert the Gal to blue.

Anyone done it or know if it's possible?  What type of bulb & how many do I need?  (Just to save stripping the car down, to wait a week for them to arrive  ;) )

Found blue bulbs but don't know what type and how many are needed.

Thanks again
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Mirez on October 16, 2013, 08:28:36 PM
SMD Led's are whats needed, not bulbs! You'll be soldering something the size of a crumb so you need good skills. Mine are green and red although I am thinking of going white/blue ;)
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Fraz-ktf on October 16, 2013, 09:34:00 PM
Quote from: Mirez on October 16, 2013, 08:28:36 PM
SMD Led's are whats needed, not bulbs! You'll be soldering something the size of a crumb so you need good skills. Mine are green and red although I am thinking of going white/blue ;)

Why is everything so complicated?  :(  Why can't I just replace some capless bulbs?

I'm useless at soldering and have poor eyesight for soldering sand grains.  I would love to have my VW-Blue dashboard, not desperate for LED but whatever way I can.  I'd hoped the bulbs were all connected via the old style metal track and just required twisting in / out.
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Grant2012 on October 16, 2013, 09:41:14 PM
lol "old skool" stylee  :P
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Fraz-ktf on October 16, 2013, 09:55:31 PM
Quote from: Grant2012 on October 16, 2013, 09:41:14 PM
lol "old skool" stylee  :P

Correct !  8)
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Mirez on October 16, 2013, 10:15:03 PM
Welcome to the technological revolution lol.

If you're no good at soldering then swap the cluster out for a Sharan one... job done.
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Fraz-ktf on October 16, 2013, 10:26:35 PM
Quote from: Mirez on October 16, 2013, 10:15:03 PM
Welcome to the technological revolution lol.

If you're no good at soldering then swap the cluster out for a Sharan one... job done.

that's a possibility  :)

If I could find a competent solderererer, do you know whet type and how many bulbs I'd need?
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Mirez on October 16, 2013, 10:53:28 PM
Around 20 SMD leds is whats needed and really some replacmemt SMD resistors of suitable soze for the new leds (value depends on what model you choose)
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Fraz-ktf on October 17, 2013, 09:09:33 AM
Quote from: Mirez on October 16, 2013, 10:53:28 PM
Around 20 SMD leds is whats needed and really some replacmemt SMD resistors of suitable soze for the new leds (value depends on what model you choose)

Afraid that sounds beyond me  ???

swapping the cluster sounds easier, though not sure how much I'd need to swap over (Just the back section?) and would it alter my mileage readout?

Is it one of these I need?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Sharan-MK2-Speedo-Meter-Cluster-1-9-Manual-7M3-920-900-C-MK2-2002-/400514529267?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5d4086b7f3#ht_2668wt_1399
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Mirez on October 17, 2013, 03:13:55 PM
Yup, then vag-tacho the mileage back to your current
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Fraz-ktf on October 17, 2013, 10:53:44 PM
So, if I get the Shazza cluster, would I / could I remove the back from it, and retain my excellent condition, silver-faced Galaxy, unmarked glass (Plastic but you know what I mean) front part - thus swapping over the clocks part, to get the blueness.

Or don't they split?
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Mirez on October 17, 2013, 11:35:50 PM
It splits but wont fit, the Sharan has a clock in the cluster and the stalk exits out the front.
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: madmanc on May 07, 2014, 08:27:13 AM
Morning


Sorry for Digging up old posts, but i thought as Mirez has done this to his car i would ask the question using this thread.

I have a 2001 2.3 Ghia and the instrument cluster is working half and half.
When the cluster gets warm the LED display tends to start to disappear and you cannot read anything from it, also some of the warning lights don't work like the Cruse control (seems to have stopped working all together anyway for the moment).

Anyways is it an easy thing to swap the Ford for the Vag cluster like you have Mirez? what do you do about the miles on the new / old clocks?

Thanks in advance.
Daz
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Mirez on May 08, 2014, 07:04:44 PM
I'm confused, why have you got TDI in your profile? From the post, its not easy at all for you, purely because you have the 2.3 and not the TDI. The Galaxy TDI is a VW unit and hence used in the Sharan/Alhambra where the 2.3 is Ford only and not - therefore the signals the cluster needs won't be recognised and you would have to "translate" some of them (a serious amount of work). Of course if you DO have the TDI then its much easier.

Sounds like the ribbon cable is failing on yours, or more specifically the glue is allowing it to move. Take it apart and apply some strong tape to hold it in place - that may well fix your issue.
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: madmanc on May 08, 2014, 07:08:56 PM
Sorry must have selected the wrong model on the original creation of the account.
I do have the 2.3 petrol ghia.

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Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: Mirez on May 08, 2014, 07:16:46 PM
Ahh ok, then yes, it will be a proper PITA to fit :(
Title: Re: Blue bulbs for instrument cluster? Possible?
Post by: madmanc on May 10, 2014, 12:19:26 PM
So will have to get a different standard one along with the air con controller as the display on that isn't showing everything.

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