dash lights again

ok so ive been tackling the wiring cuz its a mess, first port of call is the dash lights, they dont work. i had a good study of the sticky post bout relays and fuses, so ive just been out in the dark armed with a torch to have a butchers, the main fuses i looked at were 3, 14 and 20 as these were related to dash lights in various ways, or so the post said. i found that fuse number 20 at 10amps had blown so i replaced it but still no lights altho i presume that my fag lighter works again now, also fuse number 3 did not hav a 15amp fuse but 30amp, could this be a factor to them not working? for example it not letting enuf current thru? ive checked all the other fuses and they're all fine, the dimmer switch and handbrake light does not come on either, could this be my next step or is there any other things to look at first.

the wiring in my car has badly been tampered with in the past so eventually i intend to completely remove the dash and go thru it all methodically to make everything work again, ive been lookin at the haynes manual all day and its makin my head spin. just so u no, this is wot ive got to work with


also its a 1990 cabby if it helps, thanks for ur help, macca

maccagti said

 so eventually i intend to completely remove the dash and go thru it all methodically to make everything work again,

Don't blame you ! Your pic shows fuze 19 missing  :dontknow:

If it was me i would remove all items not supposed to be there and start from scratch

Cheers ………….

the loose relays should slide into place on top of the fuse board

chudd said

Your pic shows fuze 19 missing  :dontknow:

that wud be why my leccy windows dont work then!

so update is ive fixed all but the lights for the dials, heater controls light up, and dimmer switch works but no dials yet, so presumably that just leaves the bulds to check?

I believe the dash lights are powered by a brown/white wire off the lighting switch - the top-most port of the multi-plug, i.e the one you see nearest you when looking down at it having pulled it from the dash.
Mine failed and I had to cut that part of the plug off and rewire with a small female spade connector to go on to the switch.

The voltage will vary dependant on the position of the dimmer wheel/rheostat, from about 6 volts up to battery voltage.

Check you have voltage at the switch terminal, then follow the brown/white wire from there.

I'm certainly no electrics whizz, but with help have discovered this recently.

Hope this helps.
Jon

UPDATE ok had a bash at the lights again this afternoon, took the binicle (sp) out to have a look found that i only had one bulb in the back of it and it wasnt plugged in properly so i plugged it in connected everything back in and hey presto it came on, i tried to replace the otherside with another bulb i had from an old 306 binicle i had lying around but no joy, i think it everso slightly not makin contact but at least i can see how quick im goin now.

so, where can i get the replacement bulbs from, as the dimmer back light bulb has blown too so the switch dont light up and on it has vw and audi rings logo on it, do i hav to go to vw or wud halfrauds suffice?
pic of the bulb:

Go straight to VW for the bulbs, I recently installed a white dial kit that I made myself and discovered that the bulbs somebody else had installed were held in with sellotape! I tried the local car shop (motorworld) and the ones they had, and said fit, were sh*t. I went to the local VW dealership spent a couple of quid and they worked and fitted as it should have done when rolled off the production line.

Sometimes had problems with VW parts store staff locating bulbs. Think its due to various types used over the years.

You could try these people;

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/home.php?cat=588

If you go to Sheppards VW and ask for..

2x 431 919 040 A with white base 12v2w
1x 431 919 040    with black base 12v1.2w

That should get you illumimated.