LED bulbs for late 140/160 and early 240 cluster

Rob

Who has fitted LED's to the instrument cluster / dash lighting of a '73 onward 140/160 or early 240?

I need to improve lighting on mine and want to know which to buy.

familyman

Not yet, but I want to.

I've seen them mentioned on another Volvo site. However (back then at least) they only mentioned the one type - the main ones in the speedo pod. But there's also at least three different bulb fittings I can think of inside the dash of early 240s. A couple of those have only one or two bulbs of their size. That should hold true for later 240s too. But of course I haven't yet checked.

This makes buying them a real pain in the neck. Because you don't know how many to get - or of what type/s.

One guy changed them and posted it on another Volvo site. But then said something like he didn't want to give his quantities in case other cars had different quantities. But if he'd simply posted his invoice quantities, at least it would've been close! Everyone else could've just added a few extra. Instead he condemned every other person to pulling their dash apart twice. (Unless they want to pay 5x as much to get them locally the same day.)

When I do get to do it, I'm going to find that/those thread/s again. Then order a few different types. (There were different bases AND light output AND colours!) Then - maybe - I'll feel like leaving my dash pulled apart for X weeks, so I can try and work out what bulb base, colour, and light level is needed - and check it works with the dimmer dial is another thing - until they finally arrive.

240

I don't have an early 240 (it's a 92) but I don't imagine it would be all that different. I don't actually have LED bulbs in yet, but I have bought some on eBay so once they arrive, I'll see if they fit properly and let you know how they go.

A_Volvo_Driver

I've bought some of there ones. They fit nicely, but haven't had power to them. Might be worth a go?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10X-T5-WHITE-3SMD-LED-for-Car-dash-light-dashboard-Bulb-Lamp-DC-12V-wedge-/200990681900?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item2ecbfa6b2c

paul0075

1992 model 200 series use halogen globes on the lighting where the earlier 200s don't.

When buying LED replacements, ensure you get the right polarity otherwise you cook wiring and fuses. It seems early bulb holders are not compatible with most LED replacements due to the way the polarity is set up on the pins.

familyman

Halogen!? They certainly don't look any/much brighter, LOL.

paul0075

Yeah massive difference between standard bulbs on the 86 I had compared to the halogens used on the 93.

The rheostat on the 144 is bypassed and the dashboard lights are way brighter as a result. I don't feel the need to reconnect it normally and really happy with brightness compared to backlit dash

familyman

What am I thinking about... I don't own a '92. No wonder they look the same - they are!

paul0075

Here's the cluster at night using standard lighting with the rheostat bypassed. Even in daylight I can see a bit of green light on the speedo needle.

paul0075

jamesinc

Bypass the rheostat... Interesting. I'm gonna try this out.

pieboyfresh

The three top bulbs above the cluster read
IMP 12829PHILIPS12V2W [symbol] 2J
Here are some photos of the clip and bayonet that the bulbs fit into

Once I figure out which LED bulbs are needed I'll post a link.

After some measuring and comparing with ones elsewhere online, it seems they are a BA9S bulb. I also found that these are common to the seatbelt flasher signals, in the instrument panel and console, and the glove box light.

I think you might be on the money @paul0075 - I put some LEDs in the clock and the brightness is slighly better than the standard bulbs, but compared to the one I put in my hazard switch the brightness is nothing, and they're the same bulbs.

pieboyfresh

OK so I got some BA9S bulbs, but they don't work in the 244? Right size and everything, and they definitely work.

Any ideas?

pieboyfresh

Oh, also - got some 41mm festoons and they work brilliantly. Only gripe is that the switch assembly rotates which is fine for omnidirectional standard bulbs but for "panel" LED festoons, they rotate like crazy. I used electrical tape to stop them rotating, but I'll probably swap them for some of the "remote" type with the festoon connector and LED panel separated by a short wire. The engine bay, dome light and boot light all work excellently.

pieboyfresh

Another update, the BA9S LEDs work fine for my number plate lights. Not sure why, maybe I'll buy a few different resistors and see if that will make the interior ones work.

jamesinc

@iivxrzvcxii probably because, I think, the cluster lights are wired in series. If you rewired them in parallel they would probably work.

ab1

are there warm white options for the dome light. I cant stand that white light inside. fine for numberplate and parkers but its too harsh on the eyes inside?

paul0075

ab1;130942 wroteare there warm white options for the dome light. I cant stand that white light inside. fine for numberplate and parkers but its too harsh on the eyes inside?

Yes I have warm white festoon replacements in the Jaffa

pieboyfresh

Thanks @jamesinc, I'll give it a go.
@ab1 there were plenty when I looked, I just prefer the cool.

ab1

awesome

were the ba9s the correct fitment for the IMP 12829PHILIPS12V2W