Need brighter light for auto shift indicator

[m78]

Manuals suck hairy donkey balls

I often have no clue

HHmmmmmmmmm ?

 

[Fellro]

I know this isn't a solution to the visibility, but having driven so many vehicles that either don't have the indicator working or lit, I by habit count the position detents to know my position... rarely if ever actually look.... R=1, N=2, D=3...

 

[m78]

The Solution

 

[Fellro]

I can't read it when my hand is on it...

 

[fatherdoug]

I can't read it when my hand is on it...

. Mark, there are a lot of things I can feel for in the dark, , but I like things to work.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Haven't forgot about the column pics Doug...here is the exploded diagram:

 

[fatherdoug]

Thank You very much, Duncan. I'll blow that up at work tonight on our blueprint screen.

I'm not seeing much information in the manual about that part of the column.

 

[DNFXDLI]

There isn't much in the 79 manual either...makes me look forward to working on it...hehehehe.

 

[fatherdoug]

There isn't much in the 79 manual either...makes me look forward to working on it...hehehehe.

Would you like to practice on a '78 column first?

 

[DNFXDLI]

Would you like to practice on a '78 column first?

That's a mighty tempting offer

 

[DNFXDLI]

It would seem that there is a blue color shield that is probably eating up a good amount of light...so it might help to order a blue LED....the color shield will block all but blue light..just a thought.

I will try to get to disassembly of it over the next few days.

I thought these screws ran down to the bulb housing, but they don't

 

[fatherdoug]

I had no idea that blue filter was in there. Guess you can't see it when it is mounted. That is very helpful. Can you see how that filter is attached in the end of the tunnel? Would it be possible to remove it or drill it out, although I don't know how I could get a drill and bit up in there.

 

[DNFXDLI]

I don't know...my plan is to disassemble the column while I'm off...I will post what I find.

 

[fatherdoug]

Those turn signal contacts look like they've had very little wear.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Those turn signal contacts look like they've had very little wear.

Yes...but it is too bad the plastic cam that holds the signal light on broke....I have a couple of spares.

 

[Beach66Bum]

I had no idea that blue filter was in there. Guess you can't see it when it is mounted. That is very helpful. Can you see how that filter is attached in the end of the tunnel? Would it be possible to remove it or drill it out, although I don't know how I could get a drill and bit up in there.

Hi Doug, I had removed a blue filter on my dash because it was dim but it looked worse, so I put it back. The light was to "white?" (kinda hard to explain) like looking at the bare bulb. I did wipe all the filters and it helped, there was a lot of dust in there. One was so brittle and faded it broke and had to get a replacement.

 

[fatherdoug]

Sorry, Roy, I'm a little late responding. I also removed the blue filters on my new gauge cluster from D-C, but I replaced the 194 bulbs with a standard red-coated bulb, which I really like. They are not too bright, but provide enough illumination for me to see the gauges at night. I am considering the HIPO LED's for the gauges also.

Thanks for the info!

 

[fatherdoug]

Thread mining update.. I ordered a 140 deg HIPO parts LED and ground down the plastic lip, so it would fit in the housing. I then soldered a separate ground wire to the base of the BA9S bulb, and ran the other end of the ground wire to one of the screws that holds the steering column in place.

The bulb is MUCH brighter, but not enough to be annoying. Also the light is brighter on the gear that you have selected.The focus of the light moves when you shift gears.

I am happy with the results. The link to the bulb is listed below.

http://www.hipoparts.com/ultra-bright-1-smd-led-bulb-ba9s-base-super-wide-angle/

I used the cool white light, which gives off a greenish blue tint, probably because of the blue filter in the housing.

 

[m78]

I never look at the shift indicator. When it moves forward , I know its in drive.

 

[fatherdoug]

I never look at the shift indicator. When it moves forward , I know its in drive.

Well, YEAH!