Help with replacing gauge light bulbs

[dgjks6]

I have a burnt out voltmeter bulb. Decided to try to fix it today. Followed all the DIY's. Got the gauge cluster out. But now I am stuck. I can no get the back plastic cover off to expose the rest of the light bulbs. Or remove the front dials to get to the back. Can someone point me to the DIY or tell me what I am missing?

[Loren]

Have a look at this: http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/22621-instrument-cluster-lcd-not-illuminated-in-986/?p=118046

[dgjks6]

As always, thanks. Found what I need. But I got nervous that I was going to break something so I put it back together. Will try again at a later date.

[dgjks6]

So I am now master of my gauge cluster.  Got it out and fixed the bulb for the voltmeter.  

 

But the gauges are still dim.  They all light up but around dusk when the lights are on (and turned all the way up), I can hardly see them.

 

What do the green bulbs do?  Should I replace both?  Do the bulbs dim over time?  Can I use any 12v 3w bulb for the green ones, or do I have to by the entire assembly?  (they are $20 each)

[Loren]

It sounds like your ambient light sensor (for the dash lights) is bad.

If you have Durametric or PST2 or PIWIS access you can test it easily.

 

It should change based on ambient light.

 

 

 

[dgjks6]

Do you have the link with the pic that shopws where the sensor is?  I tried explaining it to the dealer while they are servicng the car and they said there is no such function on the car.

[Loren]

The sensor is in the tachometer.

[dgjks6]

Ok so they tested the sensor and it works.  Hooked up to their computer and shined a light on it and covered it, etc and it worked.

 

But the lights are still dim (even turned all the way up) and they said they can not do any adjustments.

 

So more specifics and a question.  The blinker lights in the gauge cluster and all of the dials are very dim at dusk.  They are perfect at night.  the blinker lights are dim during the day also, even with the lights off.  They are hard to see.

 

So...in my other cars, when they switch from day mode - all lights are very bright, including the radio lights and gauge lights, to night mode when everything dims so it is not to bright at night, there is a noticeable difference.

 

Does that sensor also control the brightness of the radio display, HVAC display, etc.  Can you tell the difference?   Could the problem be somewhere else if the sensor is functioning?

[kbrandsma]

When your lights are in the "ON" position, you can control the brightness of all of the dash lights (including radio) by turning the knob directly above the speedometer.

 

The user manual calls this knob "A".

Edited July 11, 2014 by kbrandsma