Dash Board Back Light Dim - Why ?

[nismo4]

Hi all,

I have a Series 2 C34 Stagea and find my dash cluster back light to be extremely dim. There is no dimmer switch and have tried two different types of LED back lights and it still seems to be very dim, in fact at night I can barely make out the gauges. Can anyone tell me if they are experiencing the same problem and has anyone got a fix for it. I am reluctant to drive the car at night because I find it difficult to see how fast I am going.

I have googled this issue and people have suggested the LED lights. So I replaced all my dash lights with BLUE LED. You can see from the rear of the dash cluster that the lights are quite bright, but for some strange reason the gauges show really dim viewed from the front.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Richard

[BigBoyDan]

The s2 has an orange film in the gauge so you need bright white lights. Ive been where you are, I found the only thing that worked was the stock globes

[nismo4]

Thanks for that. Can the orange film be removed ? I did notice the dash lit up orange/amber. If I ran white led bulbs would that work. I really need to increase the back light of the dash cluster.

Cheers

[BigBoyDan]

I just went back to standard bulbs so I can comment on the white ones. There's more info in the DIY FYI sticky. Just make sure you get the polarity right with the LEDs as they won't work backwards like incandescent

[hks33]

White ones work fine they seem to have changed the colour to almost a yellow now though, Looks nice.

[66yostagea]

I have always wondered why Nissan did not fit a reostat for the dash lights. And also the relay to let you put the windows up after the engine is off. It would not have cost much.

These two things are my only real gripe with my Stags.

They are both standard in my R30.

[lilcrash]

^ my windows work after I turn the car off

[66yostagea]

^ my windows work after I turn the car off

It must be an extra??? Wonder how its wired up. I have a proper manual for the R30 with all the wiring diagrams. Chris Rodgers is coming tomorrow so will ask him

Incidently, do you have to open the drivers door to get it to work??

[lilcrash]

It works with the door closed and open.

[BigBoyDan]

It must be an extra??? Wonder how its wired up. I have a proper manual for the R30 with all the wiring diagrams. Chris Rodgers is coming tomorrow so will ask him

Incidently, do you have to open the drivers door to get it to work??

you have a s1 correct?

standard in s2

[66yostagea]

you have a s1 correct?

standard in s2

Did not know that. At least they got one thing right in the S2

[hks33]

Only the drivers window though..

[Jezboosted]

I bought Red LED's for the dash as they are the only colour apart from white/yellow that works. The red shines thru the orange film fine.

As you can see in the photo though, one led has already began to fail (2 years old cheap china LED) at the top of the speedo it is dull. They begin to flicker before failing completely.

Hope this helps

[lilcrash]

Only the drivers window though..

All of mine work. There appears to be lots of small differences in a lot of cars.

[BigBoyDan]

All of mine work. There appears to be lots of small differences in a lot of cars.

Agreed, I thought all s2s had auto lights until I got my new one.

[lilcrash]

Wish mine had auto lights :'(

Edited February 17, 2012 by lilcrash

[Jezboosted]

no auto lights for me and only drivers windows operates after turning car off.. we should create a thread for these anomolies !

Is it maybe another difference between rs4 and rs4s ?

sorry if this is going too off topic Mr Mod !

[nismo4]

Thanks Jezboosted for the pic. At least you can see the gauges. I can barely make out the numbers at night. So today I went down to Repco and bought standard bulbs. I'll fit them up tomorrow and see how I go. I wanted blue as my centre console is all blue. It came from Japan like this.

Also my C34 has auto head lights and the windows work with the door open or closed.

Just one more query, the master lock on the drivers side controls, locks all the doors except the drivers. Other cars I have owned, apart from my Datsun 1600, when you lock the doors from the drivers controls, it locked the drivers door too. Is this a fault with my car or do others have the same issue.

Thanks

Richard

[BigBoyDan]

Thanks Jezboosted for the pic. At least you can see the gauges. I can barely make out the numbers at night. So today I went down to Repco and bought standard bulbs. I'll fit them up tomorrow and see how I go. I wanted blue as my centre console is all blue. It came from Japan like this.

Also my C34 has auto head lights and the windows work with the door open or closed.

Just one more query, the master lock on the drivers side controls, locks all the doors except the drivers. Other cars I have owned, apart from my Datsun 1600, when you lock the doors from the drivers controls, it locked the drivers door too. Is this a fault with my car or do others have the same issue.

Thanks

Richard

Neither of mine do the drivers door, so I'd say normal.

No auto lights on the 260 but the rs4v has em.

[nismo4]

Ok. That's good to know.

My C34 Stagea is an RS model. Rear wheel drive "Prime Edition" I believe they call it. Has the leathe interior, walnut trimming etc.

Thanks for the reply.

Richard