Replacing two lights

908 · 09-08-2009, 12:59 PM

Both the central locking and traction control button LIGHTS are dead. Do I have to remove the entire centre console to replace whatever is illuminating them?

Tried for a simple search on the forums, can't seem to find any specific answers.

superroo · 09-08-2009, 05:41 PM

You should be able to unclip the surround that is around those two buttons + the demister button.
Once that is out you should be able to unclip the buttons from the center fascia, and the lights then simply screw out.

Don't ask me where the clips are on the surround though. I don't own a Fairmont.

Cheers

**Mont5.0** · 09-08-2009, 07:32 PM

slide a card (credit card etc) in the top- and bottom of the oval fascia around the 3 or 4 buttons. it will come out seperate to the whole fascia. Then unscrew the bulbs as described above.

T3man · 09-08-2009, 08:36 PM

Prise the switch fascia off starting at one end and working along - it has two small tangs at each top and bottom edges and also one at each of the ends.

Once it is removed you will see there are five "holes" for switches to be fitted - not all will be occupied. Put your finger into a vacant hole and push the adjacent switch outwards (towards you) with wiring plug still attached. Once the switch is out you can unplug it to make it easier to remove the globe. You need a fine precision screwdriver to remove the globe - the globes are about $6 each from your local Fraud dealer.

brad` · 09-08-2009, 09:27 PM

special note... make sure they are the FORD part as repco, supercheap and others are a Yellow/orange glow to them and looks crap and really noticable and are around the same price n e way

brad`

ronwest · 09-08-2009, 09:39 PM

You can also take the opportunity to swap them for blue/red/whatever leds

T3man · 09-08-2009, 09:45 PM

Which LEDs do you get? Got a part number please?

ronwest · 09-08-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3man

Which LEDs do you get? Got a part number please?

I bought 100 including resistors off ebay for $15 - http://tinyurl.com/lox88x

It's an easy DIY job.

If you want a few to try it out pm me an address and I'll send you a few.

908 · 10-08-2009, 12:52 PM

Thanks people, I'll have a go during the week when I have some time off Uni.

I'll be sure to report back.

908 · 10-08-2009, 05:08 PM

Hrmm...

I'm abit lost. After taking off the fascia, am I unscrewing, unclipping or pulling them the buttons off?

T3man · 10-08-2009, 08:47 PM

Better refer to post #4 ... save me having to type it all again!

ronwest> thanks for the link - I will suss it out and if I have no luck I may take up your kind offer.

ronwest · 11-08-2009, 10:38 PM

Whilst sorting out headlight pics I came across a pic of the blue leds, so I'll stick it up for posterity...

908 · 11-08-2009, 11:16 PM

Ever considered completing the whole blue look by changing the lights to the shifter too?

Looks pretty sexy.

ronwest · 11-08-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 908

Ever considered completing the whole blue look by changing the lights to the shifter too?

I knew someone would mention it, lol.

Easy to do but just haven't got around to it.

Riksta · 12-08-2009, 11:01 AM

How do you go with visibility of your needles on your dash like that?

I still have to have a couple of normal globes in there so I can still see my bloody needles

ronwest · 12-08-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riksta

How do you go with visibility of your needles on your dash like that?

Yeah, not so good.

I played around with white paint, then luminous paint but there's not enough extraneous light for either to work efficiently.

At the centre of the guages (speedo/tacho) the needle is easy to see so it's not a desperate problem but I've yet to chase up VDO about different needles to suit.

Hopefully they'll have something that will work.

T3man · 12-08-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 908

Hrmm...

I'm abit lost. After taking off the fascia, am I unscrewing, unclipping or pulling them the buttons off?

OK - you should have told us you had the sat nav. That makes removal very different from what I described previously - I thought you were referring to standard Fairmont dash.

It looks to me like you can unscrew the sat nav screen pretty easily to gain access - if you can't easily remove the sat nav screen in order to push the switches from the back then you will have to use a fine screwdriver to prise the switches out from the front. They have tangs on both sides.

908 · 12-08-2009, 05:18 PM

Cheers T3man.

Do the globes have a particular reference number?

Or do I simply go to a local ford dealer and say "hey I want to replace the globes in my dash".

T3man · 12-08-2009, 07:40 PM

Ford Part # ... ER 10B765 D

Cost about $6.40 each - they come with blue condom already attached.

veqlargh · 13-08-2009, 03:45 AM

That sounds a little expensive for a single globe. T3 do you happen to know if they do other colours besides blue. Has anyone tried replacing their dash face with onne that has the white parts (the numbers on a dial) in a different colour. This would allow you to use a white globe which should help needle visability.

T3man · 13-08-2009, 10:12 AM

'corse it's expensive - you can only get them as genuine Ford items - no one else makes them. Yes, you can also get green - the part number is the same except it has a B on the end.

Riksta · 13-08-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3man

Ford Part # ... ER 10B765 D

Cost about $6.40 each - they come with blue condom already attached.

If you're talking about the ones underneath the digital display (Odometer) then you can go into any auto store like Repco, Sprint etc and get them, the code for them from the Narva book is 47734.

They're like one or two bucks each, but then you'd have to buy the coloured condoms as well but they still shouldn't equal $6.40 per globe!

And thanks ronwest for the info on the needles. Someone else showed me a pretty cool way to get needles glowing in an R31 Skyline, had the same issue where if you replace the backing dashlights with blue, the needles wouldn't show. He stuck a tiny surface mount red LED on his actual dash sort of under the bit where the needle attaches, needle now glows beautifully. Seems like a bit too much effort for me to go to though. If you do find VDO have anything would be good to know.

ronwest · 13-08-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veqlargh

That sounds a little expensive for a single globe.

When I did my T5's I bought these http://tinyurl.com/p9q9ox and these http://tinyurl.com/pudgsd.

The globes are a direct swap into the existing globe holders.

I think that other colours are available.

ronwest · 13-08-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riksta

He stuck a tiny surface mount red LED on his actual dash sort of under the bit where the needle attaches, needle now glows beautifully. Seems like a bit too much effort for me to go to though. If you do find VDO have anything would be good to know.

I've thought of doing something like that. I'll have a closer look when I get a chance.

I read that the AU1 needles are "painted" red and the red can be scraped off.
AU2/3 needles are definitely coloured plastic so scraping won't work.

If anyone has an old buggered Series 1 cluster they may be able to remove the needles and scrape 'em so we know

T3man · 13-08-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riksta

If you're talking about the ones underneath the digital display (Odometer) ....

But we're not.

T3man · 13-08-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronwest

When I did my T5's I bought these http://tinyurl.com/p9q9ox and these http://tinyurl.com/pudgsd.

The globes are a direct swap into the existing globe holders.

I think that other colours are available.

Except these globes are not T5s and they are not removable from their holder. In fact Ford don't even list a part number for them any longer - they want to sell the whole switch with globe as a unit. It's just that I have a very good mate who works in Spares who knew how to get a part number for me.

veqlargh · 13-08-2009, 06:27 PM

Thanks for all the good info guys. I think i may just have to go do this to my car.

ronwest · 13-08-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3man

Except these globes are not T5s and they are not removable from their holder.

No, you're right as far as the size goes - I was getting my cluster globes and my switch globes all kerfumbled.

The switch globes are removable from the holder. Its a matter of unwinding the "leg" on each side (+ and -). To install led's you solder a resister onto the + and wind the legs on

Here's a pic of the smaller led showing it "unwound"

JTFG · 13-08-2009, 07:08 PM

I'm guessing this happens in the Au's with age? Cos I've got the exact same problem but cbf doing something about it ;)

POELWYK · 14-08-2009, 03:57 AM

ronwest if you find out where to get needles or a way to make them better to see Let me know please i have done what riksta has done so i can see the dam things and would like to make them better i think u can get new one someone on AFF has done it with his EF -EL i cant remember who though