[tomrothwell]

I've just changed an instument panel illumination bulb. One of the four bigger ones. I fitted a 5w bulb, and checked the others to make sure they hadn't darkened.

Now that part of the panel is a LOT brighter than the rest

There are about three different wattages available in that fitting.

Did I fit the correct one ?

 

[deevee]

Hi TomR,
I've got a 9000 dash in my hand and looking at the 4 capless dahs bulbs they appear to be only 3W.
Hope that helps
DeeVee

 

[tomrothwell]

Having searched the forum previusly, there's a detailed instruction on changing these bulbs, and this quotes using '501' bulbs. Not sure what these were, but now after a google search they appear to be 5w.

A closer look at the bulbs already in there reveals them to be Toshiba D5 158 73.
Which brings up absolutely nothing on a google search.

Auto bulb web pages seem pretty useless also.

I'm still not sure

I don't want to but everything back only to find it's still wrong

For the record the car's a '96 CSE 2.3t

 

[tomrothwell]

I thought I'd measure the resistance of a good bulb, which came out at about 10 ohms, I think, which is about 20 watts

ummm, lets try lighting it, and measuring the current, which was about 210ma @ 12v, which when running at 14v will give you about 3watts.

Think I'll go with that at it's getting dark now and I still need to put the dash back in

 

[tomrothwell]

Couldn't see in the dark so it went in this morning. Just had a look at it in the dark just now and it looks fine, so 3w it is then.

That makes many sources wrong...so be carefull