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White tape around instrument bulbs?

Discussion in '308/328' started by Steve672, Apr 24, 2008.

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  1. Steve672

    Steve672 Karting

    Feb 15, 2008
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    ON, Canada
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    Steve S
    #1 Steve672, Apr 24, 2008
    I have successfully disassembled the instrument cluster with a view to update some of the burnt out bulbs and to try, what appears to be impossible, to change some of them to LEDs.
    I notticed that some of them e.g. the fan lights, have what appears to be white tape wrapped around the bulb, Is this an OEM endevour or has some one taken these appart and just put the tape in to make the bulbs fit?
     
  2. ducowti

    ducowti Formula 3

    Jan 27, 2008
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    David
    #2 ducowti, Apr 24, 2008
    I just had all my bulbs out (328) and they were clean. A few were a bit loose making spotty contact so it wouldn't surprise me if someone put tape on there to shim it a bit. IF yours are making spotty contact all it takes is some *careful* manipulation of the bulbs' wires. But note how they're oriented before you monkey w.them; they'll probably be winged up a bit sort of at a 45dgr angle rather than straight down.
     
  3. 78-308gt4

    78-308gt4 Formula Junior

    May 22, 2005
    735
    Memphis, TN
    #3 78-308gt4, Apr 24, 2008
    my fan light bulb also had a white sleeve around it
     
  4. desire308

    desire308 Formula 3

    Oct 19, 2007
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    Peter W
    #4 desire308, Apr 24, 2008
    When replacing the housings I found the same thing on my warm up light. I removed it and it still fit fine, and brightened it up as well ;)

    I imagine this was a factory fit item.

    Did you have to remove you steering wheel to get the cluster off? I have that ring nut preventing me from taking mine off [no tool available locally].
     
  5. irondogmike

    irondogmike F1 Rookie

    Sep 8, 2006
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    Michael Tucker
    #5 irondogmike, Apr 24, 2008
    my 85 qv warning lights ......rear window defoster,fan,and the harzard lights all had the white tape inside for some reason also
     
  6. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2005
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    #6 eulk328, Apr 25, 2008
    It's probably just there to even-out the lighting being spread to the instrument. Kind of like the difference between looking at a lamp with a lampshade on versus one with the lampshade removed. With it removed you're staring at a hotspot where the bulb filament is.
     
  7. Steve672

    Steve672 Karting

    Feb 15, 2008
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    ON, Canada
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    Steve S
    #7 Steve672, Apr 25, 2008
    Desire308

    Yes I had to remove the steering wheel otherwise it would have been quite a chore to remove the instrument cluster.
    I am not sure what ring nut you are talking about.

    eulk328
    I suspect you might be right about even lighting. I just found it hard to beleive that on a car of this calibre they would use tape to even the lighting :-(
     
  8. Sigmacars

    Sigmacars Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 19, 2006
    1,218
    #8 Sigmacars, Apr 25, 2008
    The white tape belongs inside all the colore lenses to direct the light only forward sometimes the get stuck on the bulb when you take them out.without the tape the light goes sideways and this would not look good at all.
     
  9. irondogmike

    irondogmike F1 Rookie

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    #9 irondogmike, Apr 25, 2008
    I thought that and I left it alone,glad I was smart about that:D
     
  10. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #10 eulk328, Apr 25, 2008
    If in fact the tape is meant to direct the light only forward then 12 volt LEDs would be a good replacement if there are ones that fit that type socket and if they are bright enough and if some loss (maybe a lot) of dimming ABILITY is acceptable.
     
  11. Crallscars

    Crallscars F1 Rookie

    Jun 7, 2006
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    Bainbridge, GA
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    Douglas Crall
    #11 Crallscars, Apr 25, 2008
    Do they have the white tape around the turn indicators too?
    If so, I wonder if you could replace it with tinfoil to brighten it up
     

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