'92 240GL No Instrument lights

"James Sweet" <jamessweet.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:P4Ywj.25367$6h7.13031@trnddc04...
>
> "James Sassman" <jsassman.DeleteThis@radiks.net> wrote in message
> news:13s7lqo23ft8a3e@corp.supernews.com...
>> Specifically, these are the lights that illiminate the clock, speedometer
>> and engine temp, fuel tank gauges behind the steering wheel.
>> One day they worked. The next day, none of them worked.
>> There were a couple burned out for a long time--since I acquired the car
>> 7 or 8 years ago. These were for the fuel and engine temp. gauges.
>> Looking at the fuse guide, it says nothing about a separate fuse for
>> instrument lights.
>>
>> Any ideas?
>>
>
>
> Did the dimmer knob get turned down all the way? It's easy to do while
> trying to set the clock. This also dims the lights that illuminate the
> center console switches and heater controls. If those work, then the other
> bulb in the instrument cluster burned out, there's only two of them and
> they're not difficult to replace. All you need is a philips screwdriver to
> remove the screws that hold the cluster in and slide that out enough to
> get a hand behind it, only takes 15 minutes or so.
>
>
>
Okay, thanks for the information. Since there are only two bulbs, the other
one must have burned out causing no light in the cluster.

Where are the philips screws located to remove the cluster?
 >> Stay informed about: '92 240GL No Instrument lights 

>>
> Okay, thanks for the information. Since there are only two bulbs, the
> other one must have burned out causing no light in the cluster.
>
> Where are the philips screws located to remove the cluster?
>

Pull the knobs off the headlight switch and the dimmer, use your fingernail,
a coin, or similar object to carefully pry the fascia around those knobs, it
just pops out, then do the same with the gauge bezels or blank plates on the
other side of the cluster. Remove the two screws holding the cover on the
top of the steering column and lift off the cover, then remove the two
screws on either side of the cluster. Remove the metal bracket that sits
over the headlight switch shaft and then pull the cluster straight out.
Since yours is newer than '85, it is all electrical and does not have a
speedo cable to mess with so it should pull out enough that you can get to
the bulbs. They twist counter-clockwise and pop out.
 >> Stay informed about: '92 240GL No Instrument lights 

"James Sweet" <jamessweet.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:F2hxj.31655$6h7.30949@trnddc04...
>
>>>
>> Okay, thanks for the information. Since there are only two bulbs, the
>> other one must have burned out causing no light in the cluster.
>>
>> Where are the philips screws located to remove the cluster?
>>
>
> Pull the knobs off the headlight switch and the dimmer, use your
> fingernail, a coin, or similar object to carefully pry the fascia around
> those knobs, it just pops out, then do the same with the gauge bezels or
> blank plates on the other side of the cluster. Remove the two screws
> holding the cover on the top of the steering column and lift off the
> cover, then remove the two screws on either side of the cluster. Remove
> the metal bracket that sits over the headlight switch shaft and then pull
> the cluster straight out. Since yours is newer than '85, it is all
> electrical and does not have a speedo cable to mess with so it should pull
> out enough that you can get to the bulbs. They twist counter-clockwise and
> pop out.
>
Is there a bulb number to ask for at the auto parts store? It would be great
to have them in hand once the necessary components are removed.

Thank you so much for the precise instructions! Looks like it will be a
great project for one of the warmer days coming up.
 >> Stay informed about: '92 240GL No Instrument lights 

"James Sassman" <jsassman RemoveThis @radiks.net> wrote in message
news:13sbheb75bo38a0@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "James Sweet" <jamessweet RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:F2hxj.31655$6h7.30949@trnddc04...
>>
>>>>
>>> Okay, thanks for the information. Since there are only two bulbs, the
>>> other one must have burned out causing no light in the cluster.
>>>
>>> Where are the philips screws located to remove the cluster?
>>>
>>
>> Pull the knobs off the headlight switch and the dimmer, use your
>> fingernail, a coin, or similar object to carefully pry the fascia around
>> those knobs, it just pops out, then do the same with the gauge bezels or
>> blank plates on the other side of the cluster. Remove the two screws
>> holding the cover on the top of the steering column and lift off the
>> cover, then remove the two screws on either side of the cluster. Remove
>> the metal bracket that sits over the headlight switch shaft and then pull
>> the cluster straight out. Since yours is newer than '85, it is all
>> electrical and does not have a speedo cable to mess with so it should
>> pull out enough that you can get to the bulbs. They twist
>> counter-clockwise and pop out.
>>
> Is there a bulb number to ask for at the auto parts store? It would be
> great to have them in hand once the necessary components are removed.
>
> Thank you so much for the precise instructions! Looks like it will be a
> great project for one of the warmer days coming up.
>

It should be listed in your owners manual. They're ordinary wedge based
automotive bulbs, I can't think of anywhere else in the car they're used,
but a lot of domestic cars use them for side marker lights.
 >> Stay informed about: '92 240GL No Instrument lights 

James Sweet wrote:
(...)
> Since yours is newer than '85, it is all electrical and does not have a
> speedo cable to mess with so it should pull out enough that you can get to
> the bulbs. They twist counter-clockwise and pop out.
>
>

I'm only 90% sure, but I believe that our '88 240DL had a speedo
cable. I remember thinking that the plastic locking tab on it looked
damaged, but it worked ok.
 >> Stay informed about: '92 240GL No Instrument lights 

"mjc13<REMOVETHIS> @verizon.net>" <"mjc13<REMOVETHIS> wrote in message
news:Vcrxj.42553$R_5.41914@trnddc08...
> James Sweet wrote:
> (...)
>> Since yours is newer than '85, it is all electrical and does not have a
>> speedo cable to mess with so it should pull out enough that you can get
>> to the bulbs. They twist counter-clockwise and pop out.
>
> I'm only 90% sure, but I believe that our '88 240DL had a speedo cable.
> I remember thinking that the plastic locking tab on it looked damaged, but
> it worked ok.


'86 and later 240s were all electric, the transmissions don't even have the
place for the speedo cable to connect. You must be thinking of a different
car unless someone converted it. This is assuming also North America, who
knows how it was done in other parts of the world, Volvo had some funny
regional differences.
 >> Stay informed about: '92 240GL No Instrument lights 

"James Sweet" <jamessweet.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:35kxj.33910$v57.23695@trnddc05...
>
> "James Sassman" <jsassman.TakeThisOut@radiks.net> wrote in message
> news:13sbheb75bo38a0@corp.supernews.com...
>>
>> "James Sweet" <jamessweet.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:F2hxj.31655$6h7.30949@trnddc04...
>>>
>>>>>
>>>> Okay, thanks for the information. Since there are only two bulbs, the
>>>> other one must have burned out causing no light in the cluster.
>>>>
>>>> Where are the philips screws located to remove the cluster?
>>>>
>>>
>>> Pull the knobs off the headlight switch and the dimmer, use your
>>> fingernail, a coin, or similar object to carefully pry the fascia around
>>> those knobs, it just pops out, then do the same with the gauge bezels or
>>> blank plates on the other side of the cluster. Remove the two screws
>>> holding the cover on the top of the steering column and lift off the
>>> cover, then remove the two screws on either side of the cluster. Remove
>>> the metal bracket that sits over the headlight switch shaft and then
>>> pull the cluster straight out. Since yours is newer than '85, it is all
>>> electrical and does not have a speedo cable to mess with so it should
>>> pull out enough that you can get to the bulbs. They twist
>>> counter-clockwise and pop out.
>>>
>> Is there a bulb number to ask for at the auto parts store? It would be
>> great to have them in hand once the necessary components are removed.
>>
>> Thank you so much for the precise instructions! Looks like it will be a
>> great project for one of the warmer days coming up.
>>
>
> It should be listed in your owners manual. They're ordinary wedge based
> automotive bulbs, I can't think of anywhere else in the car they're used,
> but a lot of domestic cars use them for side marker lights.
>
Just picked up a pack of two bulbs from a local auto parts dealer.
They looked like the right size. The number is 2821 with (W3W) underneath.
However, that same dealer's website shows 2721 to be the correct size. But
when I saw the package, the bulb was too small. It reminded me of the
automatic transmission backlight in my '84 240DL wagon. A smallish, wedge
type bulb, only 1/2 inch long and approximately 1/4 inch around.

I can't seem to get the bulbs out of the sockets to examine the size of the
base, but the ones I have in the package, 2821, seem to big.

And one note: the screws holding the instrument panel in place are all torx
head screws.
 >> Stay informed about: '92 240GL No Instrument lights 

>>
>> It should be listed in your owners manual. They're ordinary wedge based
>> automotive bulbs, I can't think of anywhere else in the car they're used,
>> but a lot of domestic cars use them for side marker lights.
>>
> Just picked up a pack of two bulbs from a local auto parts dealer.
> They looked like the right size. The number is 2821 with (W3W) underneath.
> However, that same dealer's website shows 2721 to be the correct size. But
> when I saw the package, the bulb was too small. It reminded me of the
> automatic transmission backlight in my '84 240DL wagon. A smallish, wedge
> type bulb, only 1/2 inch long and approximately 1/4 inch around.
>
> I can't seem to get the bulbs out of the sockets to examine the size of
> the base, but the ones I have in the package, 2821, seem to big.
>
> And one note: the screws holding the instrument panel in place are all
> torx head screws.
>


Oh, I'd forgotten about that, '90 or '91 Volvo changed to Torx. Great if you
have the Torx bits, but it can be a hassle if you don't.

I think some of the later cars had the bulbs glued into the plastic base
things as well, if that's the case and you can't get them out, you might
have to hit up the dealer. They are bigger than the bulbs used to backlight
the switches and such, which are also used in the optional gauges that
install to the right of the cluster.
 >> Stay informed about: '92 240GL No Instrument lights 

>
> Oh, I'd forgotten about that, '90 or '91 Volvo changed to Torx. Great if
> you have the Torx bits, but it can be a hassle if you don't.
>
> I think some of the later cars had the bulbs glued into the plastic base
> things as well, if that's the case and you can't get them out, you might
> have to hit up the dealer. They are bigger than the bulbs used to
> backlight the switches and such, which are also used in the optional
> gauges that install to the right of the cluster.
>
Have the bulbs in sockets removed. The bulbs are stuck in the sockets and
cannot be removed. Must have been made that way.
I ordered replacements from FCP Groton for $ 1 each plus shipping. The
Volvo, OEM's are $ 8.
Thanks for your help!
 >> Stay informed about: '92 240GL No Instrument lights 

> Oh, I'd forgotten about that, '90 or '91 Volvo changed to Torx. Great if
> you have the Torx bits, but it can be a hassle if you don't.
>
> I think some of the later cars had the bulbs glued into the plastic base
> things as well, if that's the case and you can't get them out, you might
> have to hit up the dealer. They are bigger than the bulbs used to
> backlight the switches and such, which are also used in the optional
> gauges that install to the right of the cluster.
>
Got the bulbs from FCP Groton, installed and have full light in the
instrument panel for the first time since I purchased on Ebay 8 years ago!
Now looking to replace the lights behind the heater buttons for floor,
defrost and recirculate. Hope that is not such a challenge--been a long time
since I have removed the center dash area.
 >> Stay informed about: '92 240GL No Instrument lights 

"James Sassman" <jsassman.TakeThisOut@radiks.net> wrote in message
news:13tk9ckqkh9536a@corp.supernews.com...
>> Oh, I'd forgotten about that, '90 or '91 Volvo changed to Torx. Great if
>> you have the Torx bits, but it can be a hassle if you don't.
>>
>> I think some of the later cars had the bulbs glued into the plastic base
>> things as well, if that's the case and you can't get them out, you might
>> have to hit up the dealer. They are bigger than the bulbs used to
>> backlight the switches and such, which are also used in the optional
>> gauges that install to the right of the cluster.
>>
> Got the bulbs from FCP Groton, installed and have full light in the
> instrument panel for the first time since I purchased on Ebay 8 years ago!
> Now looking to replace the lights behind the heater buttons for floor,
> defrost and recirculate. Hope that is not such a challenge--been a long
> time since I have removed the center dash area.
>


There's a screw on each side up near the dash, a twist clip on each side
down low, and two screws under the lower radio/storage compartment in front
of the gear shift. Pull it straight out, taking care not to pull wires off
the switches. As I recall, there's 3 bulbs back there, one on the fan
switch, one on the heater control, and one up above illuminating the rocker
switches.
 >> Stay informed about: '92 240GL No Instrument lights 

James Sassman wrote:
>>Oh, I'd forgotten about that, '90 or '91 Volvo changed to Torx. Great if
>>you have the Torx bits, but it can be a hassle if you don't.
>>
>>I think some of the later cars had the bulbs glued into the plastic base
>>things as well, if that's the case and you can't get them out, you might
>>have to hit up the dealer. They are bigger than the bulbs used to
>>backlight the switches and such, which are also used in the optional
>>gauges that install to the right of the cluster.
>>
>
> Got the bulbs from FCP Groton, installed and have full light in the
> instrument panel for the first time since I purchased on Ebay 8 years ago!
> Now looking to replace the lights behind the heater buttons for floor,
> defrost and recirculate. Hope that is not such a challenge--been a long time
> since I have removed the center dash area.
>
>

It isn't too bad a job. They are just light bulbs in wired holders
that fit into holes in the back of the panel. I mixed mine up when
reinstalling them, and it didn't much matter.
 >> Stay informed about: '92 240GL No Instrument lights 

"James Sweet" <jamessweet.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:P4Ywj.25367$6h7.13031@trnddc04...
>
> "James Sassman" <jsassman.TakeThisOut@radiks.net> wrote in message
> news:13s7lqo23ft8a3e@corp.supernews.com...
>> Specifically, these are the lights that illiminate the clock, speedometer
>> and engine temp, fuel tank gauges behind the steering wheel.
>> One day they worked. The next day, none of them worked.
>> There were a couple burned out for a long time--since I acquired the car
>> 7 or 8 years ago. These were for the fuel and engine temp. gauges.
>> Looking at the fuse guide, it says nothing about a separate fuse for
>> instrument lights.
>>
>> Any ideas?
>>
>
>
> Did the dimmer knob get turned down all the way? It's easy to do while
> trying to set the clock. This also dims the lights that illuminate the
> center console switches and heater controls. If those work, then the other
> bulb in the instrument cluster burned out, there's only two of them and
> they're not difficult to replace. All you need is a philips screwdriver to
> remove the screws that hold the cluster in and slide that out enough to
> get a hand behind it, only takes 15 minutes or so.
>
>
>
Have replaced the instrument cluster lights.
Now replaced bulbs in center console behind the defrost/recirculate/floor
button but cannot find the correct socket
to insert it back into. Where is that located?
Thanks1
 >> Stay informed about: '92 240GL No Instrument lights