1989 328 Main Dash Light Replacement

How difficult a job is it to have the bulbs behind the main dash (behind the steerking wheel) replaced? I know some advocate for LED's but I'm a purist, so I would stick with the bulbs. Is this a risky job? Are there common issues that should cause one to steer away from doing this and just live with a burnt out bulb? Any experienced advice would be appreciated. For the record, if I did have my tech do this, I would likely have all the bulbs replaced at one time.

 

Simple job. Biggest risk is dropping one of the four screws behind the four warning lights. You can avoid that with a captive screw driver. The black holders for the warning lights are probably brittle by now and break as you remove them. Replacements are available including ones in ABS made by an fchatter here that remain flexible.

Regards
David

 

Bridge out the rheostat, that made a huge difference for me.

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Thanks for the feedback. Just a little nervous about creating bigger problems by fixing a small one. Would love any other feedback from anyone else who has done this same project.

 

I've done it. Timing the camshafts is a project. This is not a project. Can't imagine how you could create a bigger problem. You're over-thinking this. If this is the worst problem you ever have on your 328 consider yourself a blessed person.

And yes, if you're nervous about this, have all the bulbs replaced. Instrument bulbs typically last a very long time. If one burned out the others may be coming up on their end of life.

 

Thanks for the input. I feel better now.

 

I've done it too.
Actually, I'm due to pull the dash again to clean the rheostat.

What he said. I keep a supply now.

 

328 instrument lighting seems to be too dim at the max. setting. Bypass (jumper) the rheostat and be done with it. I think this is what JohnnyTS was saying. I've done it and instrument lighting went from crap up to mediocre.

Why would you pull the dash to clean the rheostat?

 

Although the OP mentioned he wants to stay with bulbs, just for the record if fitting LEDs, some of the lampholders need to be re-wired as the positive contact goes to the outside and negative to the middle on the bayonet type of fittings.

Unless bi-directional LED lamps are available in this type but I didnt find any.

 

Thanks! This sounds so simple and seems a great idea, I will likely try it.

 

I've never found the need to turn off the instrument lights or dim them (need more brightness!). If possible, try to solder the jumper wire onto the rheostats terminals for the best connection rather than some other connection method.

Probably won't make a noticeable difference but you'll always know that you're getting max. brightness possible with the rheostat out of the picture, electrically.

 

Yes eulk328, that is what I meant.

You do not need to pull the dash to jump the Rheostat, just peek under steering, you should be able to see the wires connected to the terminals on the Rheostat (dimmer)

If you want to upgrade all the lighting on speedo / tacho, you will need to remove the steering wheel, remove the bezels warning lights(battery / abs / fan's etc indication lights) on the black base which its mounted on, like mentioned before - be care full they can break and there are bolts behind to pull the unit out, on the speedo and tacho units (clusters ) there are plenty of standard 'dash bulbs ' which you can buy new but most recommend LED replacement if you want to replace all, BA9's LED's I think, they make a difference but the upgrade is more effective on a 308, sometime ago we had a great thread on this with good pictures.

If all your light bulbs are working, rather don't replace them, test the Rheostat 'jump' and see if you like it.

cheers
Johnny

 

Over the years, I've installed LED bulbs in the instrument panels of my Lancia, 355 and, I believe, the 328. In some ways they are better but in others they're a disappointment as they never seem to light up the gauges evenly, like incandescent lamps do with with their filaments. Same goes for tail lamps, parking lights etc. etc.

 

I agree, on some cars the LED bulbs looks really good on the clusters but simply to bright on the eyes(tiring the eyes) for night driving.

 

Hey mr. Rossocorsa, I found this link for you, you can use it for 328, very similar procedure.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328-sponsored-yellow-compass-group/246471-how-dash-lights-finally.html

cheers
J

 

Awesome. Thanks, everyone.

 

Sorry - what are the "black holders"? Do you know which fchatter has the parts?

 

Agree. Having done my 328 with LEDs I think I would not do the same again.

 

The light bezels. Sigmacars makes replacements.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328-sponsored-yellow-compass-group/187469-dashboard-warning-lights.html

 

This black holder, as shown by this warning light that every Ferrari should have!
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I think you've got that one wrong. I believe it's actually a push button switch to activate the side scoop vacuum generator.
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anyway, I have the little round black bezels that fits over the indication lights for the one with the $ sign above.

regards
J

 

I am happy with the result on my Euro spec - September 1989 GTS, no LED's used, I cleaned the electrical contacts incl. the relay, fuse, connectors, most of the small bulb & holders where clean, none black, the white Molex plug terminals cleaned and towards the Rheostat - which I bypassed.
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Please send me a PM with your contact info. I may need a handful of these. Thank you.

 

Super, you have done a great job! I aim for the same.

Ciao,
Menno