3.2QV: Should center switch console be illuminated? | FerrariChat
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3.2QV: Should center switch console be illuminated?

Discussion in '308/328' started by oliv928, Jul 16, 2009.

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  1. oliv928

    oliv928 Karting

    Aug 14, 2008
    171
    France, Toulouse
    #1 oliv928, Jul 16, 2009
    hello,
    I have read in the elec wiring drawings that there is something like power line for center console switch illumination (with the outer lights).
    With center switch console I mean the one rear to the speed selector ( with glasses up/down, aerial up/down, AC, ...).
    On my car this switchs remain dark even with lights on. I thought it was originaly design like that, but as I saw this on the drawings, now the doubt is in my mind.
    thanx all,
     
  2. FamilyCar

    FamilyCar Formula Junior
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    Peter Goodall
    #2 FamilyCar, Jul 16, 2009
    Yes, it does light up. Check again in a very dark place because it isn't too bright even when the rest of the instrument lighting on my car is very bright. On my car the most obvious place to see the lights working is around the knobs for the fan speed and the temperature controls. The A/C buttons also light up, and the one that is pressed down is brighter than the rest.
     
  3. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 BigTex, Jul 16, 2009
    It is a lamp that shines down onto the console switch array...

    It's hidden in the bottom opening of the Parking Brake handle shaft, a double ended OSHRAM style lamp....

    The original one has a green coating, very nice effect.....

    You have a VERY keen eye, on that wiring schematic!!!!! Congrats!
     
  4. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 BigTex, Jul 16, 2009
    I'm sorry my answer is for the 308GTB, it sounds as if your car may be different.
     
  5. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    #5 Paul_308, Jul 16, 2009
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2009
    If you insist on hunting down that lamp which is socketing under the handbrake lever, know that it is called a FESTOON style lamp. They are quite hard to find in that combination of small diameter and length, i.e. forget about Schucks and Autozone.

    The GTB rear console glove box also uses one. Outside of Ferrari dealers, impossible to find with the proper green tint. I found a clear one (without green sleeve), almost the proper size, had it in place for 15 seconds before deciding it wasn't for me. It's just too bright and distracting. Perhaps the green tint mitigates that. Up is on, down is off...that's all I need to know about those switches at night.




    _________________________
    http://www.ferrari308gtbi.com/
     
  6. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
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    #6 Ricambi America, Jul 17, 2009
  7. onboost

    onboost Formula Junior

    Apr 13, 2004
    758
    DC Metro area
    #7 onboost, Jul 17, 2009

    Paul, hit the drug store or some teen nail shop.. p/u green finger nail polish of close shade and give the bulb a light coat. You'll be surprised. Done it a couple times on both British & German cars to get the added auxiliary gauges to match the fact ones. ;-)
     
  8. oliv928

    oliv928 Karting

    Aug 14, 2008
    171
    France, Toulouse
    #8 oliv928, Jul 19, 2009
    hi guys,
    I am happy to see this subject is popular but my original question was for the mondial. Sorry I did not mention it. Things are different for the mondi. I did open the rear part of the central console ( leathered plate which owns the little box and rear windows button). Under this I found electricial cables which are not (more) connected to anything...?
    What I found is a small automatic light inserted in the front ashtray. Maybe this could illuminate the center console, if the beam is oriented to the buttons. I will try to make it lighting and see.
    But my original question is still here : are there lights which illuminate center console buttons in the mondial, which would be very usefull at night ? For the moment I cannot open completly this "plate". Still fixed somewhere by its front size.
     
  9. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    #9 Paul_308, Jul 27, 2009
    Oliv, a suggestion. Most of us check the Members Profile to learn details of the car as many posters leave car particulars out of the discussion as you did. Can you edit your Profile to add Mondial and hopefully we won't get lost next time.

    Do you have pertinent Owners Manuals? They usually include replaceable lamps.

    And thanks to onboost for that 'hints to heloise' tip about using nail polish to add green tint to the lamp.
     
  10. oliv928

    oliv928 Karting

    Aug 14, 2008
    171
    France, Toulouse
    #10 oliv928, Jul 27, 2009
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2009
    Ok Paul, my profile is updated now. I found lamps in the ashtrays. they dont seem to be dead, but they do not shine.
     
  11. fdekeu

    fdekeu Formula Junior
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    #11 fdekeu, Jul 27, 2009
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2009
    The lights in the console are fed by the yellow wires
    The tension is controlled by the potentiometer in the dashboard, near the clock
    Check if it is not in the Min position
    There is one lamp and the light is distributed by optical cables to the different controls in the console
    You will notice when you get it working

    The lights in the ashtrays (2W lamps) will only shine if the tray cover is open
    They are also connected to the yellow wires

    The different parts of the console are attached as follows:
    - front: the 2 chromed screws of the shift gate
    - central and rear: 2 black screws in each of the ashtray openings, you have to remove the ashtrays to get to them

    Voila
     
  12. oliv928

    oliv928 Karting

    Aug 14, 2008
    171
    France, Toulouse
    #12 oliv928, Jul 27, 2009
    thank you fdeke,
    you teach me 2 things : there is light in the central console
    how to dismantle the central console.
    It is strange that in the buyers guide they say the central console is not enlighted.
    My illumination is completly out of order. when I turn the knob, nothing is illuminated : neither centrale console.
    By console do you mean the one in front of the driver ( beneath rev and speed or is it the central knob console ? with electric windows knob,...) ?
    I have the doubt coz the buyers guide says it is not enlighted !... thanx a lot
     
  13. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #13 BigTex, Jul 27, 2009
    Fibre optic distribution...cool.

    Had that in a 1976 Eldorado......to the front fender indicators...
     
  14. fdekeu

    fdekeu Formula Junior
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    #14 fdekeu, Jul 28, 2009
    Hello Olivier,

    What buyers guide are you referring to? (can you pm)
    I meant the central part with the electric window switches (the central console has 3 horizontal panels)
    If the lights of your speed and rev counters are also dead there must be something wrong at the rheostat or the fuse (nr 5) is bad
     
  15. oliv928

    oliv928 Karting

    Aug 14, 2008
    171
    France, Toulouse
    #15 oliv928, Jul 28, 2009
    hello fdekeu ( what your name by the way ?),
    in the book "Buyers Portfolio / Ferrari life (Brooklands Books) " it is said p55 :
    "Driving a Mondial at night shows off the excellent high-beam headlights and also the almost impossible to read central console switches. While the lights will allow you to cover long distances very quickly and safely, you may well run off the road trying to put the windows up! "

    Yes I mean the central console with windows switches, on model 87. It seams the basic car do not have illuminated. Maybe yours has been improved by a previous owner. That is interesting. Can You tell me more. I am very curious about that, because the console panel is made of a dark panel, so how could light passes through ? Where is the light source ? Does it illuminate the knobs ?

    Yes, I think my light control rheostat is out of order. I have tryed to fix it but did not succeed.
     
  16. fdekeu

    fdekeu Formula Junior
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    #16 fdekeu, Aug 1, 2009
    There is one lamp under the central part, I believe right under the ventilator control
    The light is distributed by optical cable to every single control switch
    Only visible with the rheostat on max
    Must have been in there from the factory

    Sorry did not notice yr reply earlier

    Frank
     
  17. BOKelley

    BOKelley Formula 3
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    #17 BOKelley, Aug 1, 2009
    My Mondial's center console fiber optic light was not working either. I removed the nut holding the lamp/fiber optic holder in place so that I could pull it apart to check the bulb, found out that the bulb was good and replaced the assembly as before. The light worked after that little adventure....must have been a poor ground that was re-established with me futzing around. It may be that simple for you....

    Brock
     
  18. oliv928

    oliv928 Karting

    Aug 14, 2008
    171
    France, Toulouse
    #18 oliv928, Aug 6, 2009
    thanx a lot guys. your details are very usefull for me, and give me the energy to open again that console and its under "italian electrical m...y design". Now I will have 2 goals : make the console illumination and the fan rheostat work !
     
  19. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    #19 miketuason, Aug 6, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Is this what you're talking about? if so I just replaced mine couple of months ago and i got them from Dennis Mcann for like $4.00ea.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  20. oliv928

    oliv928 Karting

    Aug 14, 2008
    171
    France, Toulouse
    #20 oliv928, Aug 6, 2009
    no. this is 308. mine is a mondial. thanx
     

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