Dash Globe Replacement for AU Models

Nurse Josh · 21-12-2007, 08:22 PM

Hi All,

Finally fed up with not being able to see the LCD displays on both my console Clock and Odometer, I decided it was about time to do something about it.

My vehicle is an AU III Forte. First, one half of the odometer LCD failed about 1.5 years ago, followed shortly after by the clock. Last week the other half of the odometer went dark. It was time for some intervention.

Firstly, I removed the Odometer / speedometer instrument panel. This is done quiet painlessly by removing the 2 screws from above the panel. Then slide a screw driver around the upper most joins of the panel. I used a suction cap (like the ones that come with GPS navigation units for window mounting) to pull the panel out. I disconnected the 2 cables into the panel.

The globes are hidden behind 2x screw base holders which connect them to the panel PCB. A quarter turn of a screw driver releases them.

I replaced them with an equivalent bulb. The factory fit bulbs are 1.2watt @12v.
I used a JAYCAR Cat: SL-2675, which is a Mini Lamp with a pre-wired lead which is easily stripped and placed into the globe holder. They sit slightly above the factory fit globe, however for a $0.90 cost, what does one expect?

The globe replacement for the LCD clock was slightly more difficult to do. Without having to remove the radio and centre facia, I was able to reach through the cavity left by the speedometer panel and un-clip 3 of the facia mounts from the dash. This left about a 10cm working space, enough for me to use a stubby Phillips head screwdriver to unscrew the LCD clock display and remove and replace the globe. By far the most difficult part was screwing the clock back into place behind the facia panel.

Re-connect the odometer / speedometer instrument panel and reposition back in place.

The whole exercise cost me $2.70 and about 30 minutes of time.

Hopefully this helps someone!

Cheers- Josh!

Nurse Josh · 21-12-2007, 08:35 PM

Hi Again,

Plenty of Pics to come, so keep posted...

**GasoLane** · 22-12-2007, 06:02 PM

Thanks for this nurse, I'll have to see if it works on the Barge.

Good to see equality in the medical industry but....do they make you shave your legs as well?

Nurse Josh · 22-12-2007, 07:08 PM

Hey!

No one has ever mentioned any leg shaving.... but it sure would making putting on my stockings a little easier. Kidding- I work in acute care- Pants all the way!

Cheers- Josh.

BOON250 · 23-12-2007, 07:54 PM

Are all the dash bulbs removeable from the holders? I tried getting them out once and they seemed to be bulb and holder as one unit?

b2tf · 23-12-2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Thanks for this nurse, I'll have to see if it works on the Barge.

Good to see equality in the medical industry but....do they make you shave your legs as well?

Pending on how well the old bugger does it, I'll make him do mine......

**GasoLane** · 23-12-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

Pending on how well the old bugger does it, I'll make him do mine......

Erm....nah, doesn't matter

Nurse Josh · 25-12-2007, 02:36 AM

Hey Boon250!

Merry Christmas All!

Yes, the globes are fairly easy to remove from their holders. The globe's leads are thread through the base of the holder then back around to the front where they contact the PCB. snip the cables with wire cutters, pull the globe through the holder and remove the tails of the remaining cable in the holder. Re-wire the globe to holder by lining up the leads so they thread back through the holder, turn the cable over the holder and secure.

A picture says a thousand words so i'll upload some pictures as soon as i manage to minimise the image size for uploading.

Cheers- Josh.

**GasoLane** · 25-12-2007, 10:03 AM

Download them to photobucket (or similar) then just link to them...