Anywhere for Instrument Cluster Refurbishment?

Hi all,

Does anyone know of a place in Cheshire or the surrounding that would be able to tear down, clean up and restore the instrument cluster for a MK1 Golf GTI?

The MFA is dead-dead and it could really do with the LED upgrade too, but it's not a task I want to risk doing myself.

Would be grateful for any pointers!

Thanks,

David

David

I just upgraded the headlights to LED and the Dash also to LED on my Mk1

(1984 Mk1 golf GTI 1.8 Cabriolet)

Headlights huge difference

Bought an upgrade lit plus LED lams from Heritage and had a local Auto Elect install (I did not have the crimpers etc).

Auto elect did not want to touch the Dash so I did myself.

(thanks for advice from Briano1234, the expert)

The biggest challenge was getting the holding facia off the first time.

Suggest you disconnect the battery.

FIRST Apply Heat shrink to the two wires connected to the Hazzard warning switch, very easy to short out. Again advice from Braino1234

Dash has 3 lamps powered from the printed circuit board
The holders are twist and turn. The old lamps cannot be removed from the holder (Holder and lamps are a single unit)

Broke the lamp, drilled through lamp holder out 5mm right through to the wire connection point.
DO NOT DAMAGE THE HOLDER TWIST LUGS THAT HOLD THE HOLDER TO THE Dash as the holder will hold the new LED

Purchased a pack of 15 white 5mm pre wired 12 VOLT LED lamps from ebay (£2.50).

2 rolls (red/blue) 5 amp wired from Halfords, heat shrink.

Soldering iron and your set

Solder a 1mtr of the red cable to the red LED wire and same to blue, cover solder POINT with heat shrink, (the LED PRE WRIRED ARE VERY FINE)

Install LED in the drilled out holder, again heat shrink to hold, I put a dab of super glue on the wire to heat shrink after it cooled to ensure it did not slip down

Test LED on battery (polarity conscious).

Install in Dash (long nose pliers) HOLD TWIST 90 Deg AND TURN

I Connect the red together 2 am fuse holder (halfords) picked up 12volt supply at the cigarette holder (Grey/Blue strip)

Blue to ground

Huge difference.

MFA

It never worked, however recently had a new clutch cable fitted and while doing this the mechanic plugged in various connectors, he found unplugged around the engine.

The result is MFA came back to life .

Good luck

Darren/Angus. thanks for the nod, but I am not a "expert" RubJohnny is more of it than I.  I have been in the auto/aircraft/computer tech hardware&software for over 50 years, and over 40 years of Water cooled MK1's Diesel and injected. I only started to do how to's because I couldn't find some that I would of liked to see, prior and only wrote ones that didn't exist.


Here are a few hot-to's Practice Soldering, it is a art more than a science.

Primary rule number 1.  After cutting wires, place a heat shrink on prior to resoldering, why you ask? It is really really annoying  to remember it after you solder the wires.

https://www.volkswagenownersclub.com/threads/electric-primer.32254/

Basic Tools for Electrical Diagnosis and Repair. - Topless Rabbit Forums

https://www.volkswagenownersclub.com/threads/improving-your-cluster-connections-and-ground.24949/

How I splice in wires. - Topless Rabbit Forums

https://www.volkswagenownersclub.com/threads/90ish-cabriolet-mylar-repair-for-10v-stabilizer.60258/?post_id=531266#post-531266

https://www.volkswagenownersclub.com/threads/relaying-your-head-lights.32215/

https://www.volkswagenownersclub.com/threads/repairing-your-flaky-water-temp-gauge.32211/


 

Darren/Angus I wish I had your confidence. I have never picked up a soldering iron, let alone used one and I only have one MK1 Golf to practice on, so I'm really hoping I can find someone that has the skills so I don't wreck it! 

DiVillian said

Darren/Angus I wish I had your confidence. I have never picked up a soldering iron, let alone used one and I only have one MK1 Golf to practice on, so I'm really hoping I can find someone that has the skills so I don't wreck it! 

I understand, but I have always lived by Knowing Guts know glory. and the corollary Once burnt, once learnt.

The warning sticker on the back of puters, TV's and Microwaves "No User Serviceable Parts inside", never has applied to me. Then there is the Clint Eastwood quote, " A man should know his limitations.".  I applaud your Knowledge of your limits.

In my life I have had my share of less than Stellar moments, I think we all do from time to time.

Shouldn't of cut the red wire.