fading instrument lights??

[ksee777]

Does anyone else have gauges that has dark spots when they turn on their dash lights? any way to fix or any alternatives? (besides those blue indiglo stuff)

[bimmerguy82]

It's probably just a blown bulb. You will need to pull your instrument cluster out to check and see.

[Teh Prof]

Yeah, I've got it too, around the 80mph mark on the speedo. Weird thing is it's inconsistent.

I've also got a blown bulb or something for my odometer...the mileage is still readable with a flashlight, but no pics I've seen of the instrument panel's insides shows where the odo bulb is, and I'm not gonna take it apart until I know for sure what I need to do to it.

[e36surge]

Link that shows how to replace bulbs.

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/...usterbulbs.htm

[Cruzin 323is]

ya.. sounds like a blown bulb
above directions would work.. but u have to take off your steering wheel to get to it

[ksee777]

I just replaced all the bulbs already. The dark spots are as if the light can't reach there. One of the spots is an even circle too...

[apirkle]

The glue behind the cluster starts to come loose. There are a few suggestions in this thread on bimmerforums.com:

http://bimmerforums.com/forum/showth...rument+cluster

"The best way to fix it is to take the cluster out when its been in the hot all day and then press on the spots. The adhesive is extremely soft at that point. You will need to press hard and hold this, and repeat it until your fingers hurt, justmake sure you are supporting the opposite side so you dont damage anything, A broken cluster would be a p.i.t.a."

[ksee777]

hmmm, I'll try that. So there isn't a more permanant fix?

[Furious]

mines been like that for a while, ive just gotten use to it. i think it just comes with age to be honest, i dont have any blown bulbs. i really dont have an answer for this... just saying i have the same problem i guess :lol:

[Teh Prof]

Peculiarly, when I lit up the instrument panel after work yesterday, all of my dark spots were gone (except for the blown odo). Weird.

[WarNox]

i just notice some sports are not as bright as others but i dont have "black circles", and my car is pretty old!