Dashboard & dials poor ilumination

The ilumination of the dashboard and the dials is so poor that  it is actually difficult to see the speedo o rev counter at night, nor the info screen.
Yes, the regulator is at max. position.
Is it easy to change the lights? How?
I used the search but didn't find a post about it.
Thank you very much, guys.

You can try a wiggle the dimmer up and down a few times as sometimes it gets dirty and does not make a good contact.

Harder fix is change the bulbs for higher wattage as usually it's 1.2w for the Rev counter and speedo and 2w for the clock/MFA. Swop them all 2w bulbs or try LEDs but not sure which type you need.

You will need to take the instruments out to do this, make sure they all work before putting it all back together as sometimes the bulbs do not make a good connection first time.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4pc-VW-Golf-Jetta-Caddy-Mk1-Mk2-2-0w-White-Base-Dash-Light-Bulb-Speedo-ClocksD10/152960099428?hash=item239d21e464:g:stkAAOxy0bRTB8Tb

thank you very much. First of all I'll try with the dimmer.
Is it difficult to take the instruments out?
Thanks again

spncabby said

thank you very much. First of all I'll try with the dimmer.
Is it difficult to take the instruments out?
Thanks again

No, you just have to be careful of the mylar.
What I have done is to go to a breaker and get the warning lamp holders off a Honda Civic.  Go to a good parts store and get replacement WARNING bulbs for the
Same car you took the holders off of, ie: 95 Honda…They are higher wattage and give better light.
They will not melt anything.

You can get LED's but hey, the incandescents work as well and last a long time.  Be sure that if you go my route that you get the LL at the end of the bulb number as they are LONG LIFE better filament.

Thanks a lot, Briano

I forgot to mention that before you replace them and button everything up, be sure to test them so they light up.  The Honda holders have to have the little finger hit the mylar both ways..  If you go with LED's you may have the polarity issue with the bulb sockets that they don't light up, so just remove them and spin them 180 and retest.  

Upps… sorry guys: it was always there and didn't find it

Home > Mk1 Golf Owners Club Wiki > Technical Guides > How to remove instrument cluster and replace illumination bulbs
How to remove instrument cluster and replace illumination bulbs
Submitted by Hairyarse.


Thank you Mark1GLS and Briano1234 for the tips!