Re: Replacing dash bulbs

["Smith, Kirby A" <kirby.a.smith@lmco.com>]

David M Sugerman <dsugerma@runet.edu> wrote:

	Anyone have experience at replacing dash bulbs which they'd be
willing to share? Part of the tach hasn't illuminated for quite a while,
and now 0-50mph is blacked out. The car is an '89 80q with 133k, and I'm
wondering if I should replace all of the bulbs if and when I'm able to.

Yes and yes.  I've done this on both cars while fixing other things.
Pull the horn cover, but only far enough that you can disconnect the
horn wire without damaging it.  Remove the steering wheel, being sure to
mark the shaft and wheel so it can go on again without requiring
realignment.  Remove two screws located at the bottom of the turn-signal
etc. switch assembly and remove the top cover.  Remove two screws now
revealed below the instrument panel.  (The plastic is probably broken,
but the turn-signal switch cover will hold in the panel adequately.)

Cover the turn signal stuff with a rag or other non-conductive material
and gently pull out the panel enough that you can disconnect the
electrical connectors.  They are color coded for proper reassembly.  Now
the panel is free and you can get to the lamps from the rear.  Note that
some of them are intended to be brighter than others.  For the general
illumination lamps, any replacement from 0.9W to 1.2W should work and be
relatively indistinguishable to the eye.  (I think this encompasses the
orange, brown, and black bulb bases.)  Changing them all may be useful
if you don't want to do this again soon.  Soon depends on whether you
keep your illumination low for best night driving, or high to show the
world Audi's neat red illumination.

Reassembly is the reverse.  A _little_ vasoline on the horn ring will
restore any lost lubrication.  A drop of glyptol or other easy to break
loose paint  at the intersection of the nut and the steering wheel will
help keep the steering nut from loosening.  (Don't use red locktite on
the threads.)

....  Kirby  (kirby.a.smith@lmco.com)
New Hampshire, USA
2 X 1988 90q