Lights out on the dashboard?!?

[hillda01]

Hi,

I've got an Audi A4 1996 and the bulb behind the temperature gauge and fuel gauge seems to have gone because when I switch the lights on these dont illuminate.

How hard is it to get the clocks out and replace the bulbs.

I've had a quick look on the outside but cant see any obvious screws...

Regards

Dave

[DaM Designs]

If i remember rightly dave.....you need to move the steering wheel down and extend it fully.....then the corrugated panel covering the area below the instrument cluster clips out.......the screws are behind this. I'm sure others on here will be able to give you a more technical description

The awkward part is getting the clips undone off the rear of the cluster.
Ive done two in the past, the first was quite easy because the cables were quite long....the second was a pig and had to work by touch.
It's nothing taxing....just be patient.....if you're near me i'd be willing to help you out if you get stuck ?

[cusford]

i can confirm that the above is correct. my bulbs are out, and i've had to move some bulbs around so that i can read my speedo! haha

[Scott58]

I found it a help removing the bottom panel and the end panel this gives you access to the right hand side of the cluster, as said the fiddly bit is unplugging the cluster by touch. The lamps are available through sponsers on this site the illumination lamps are coloured (orange 10 off) so you can tell them from the function lamps.

Hope this helps.

[hillda01]

HI,

So its a bit tricky to change the bulbs then...

Just to confirm...

1. Extend the steering wheel and drop it to its lowest place.

2. Remove the cowling.

3. Unscrew the screws from underneath the clocks....

4. Not sure what else to do now...

[Scott58]

Sorry for the late reply Dave,
OK you should be able to ease the clocks forward but remember you have all the plugs in the back which you have to unplug on each side of the plug is a little coloured slider you have to move these before the plug will come out.

Try that and se how you go but be prepared to get frustrated it is the fiddley bit.
Once you have the clocks you use a socket or long nosed pliers to turn the lamp anticlocwise 1/4 turn it should then come out.
Remember the colour coding as I now have one lamp in the wrong hole so no illumination apart from the heater plug warning delay.

Hope this makes sense.