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instrument panel bulbs 850 1997

I've been looking for what bulbs I need to light up the part of the instrument panel that shows the time/mpg/miles to zero, etc.

I know I could take the dash pad off, but I've already done that like 300 times and now that I'm driving the car I don't really want to do that again until I'm ready to fix the mileage on the odometer/have everything ready to fix (light bulbs, etc).

So, is there a special bulb that goes into that part of the cluster?
--
1985 245. 246K Gone..but not forgotten. Sold in 2013, found 2018! Still running on the road. Of course. 1993 Volvo 850 soon to be gone








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instrument panel bulbs 850 1997

There's four filament T-4 socket bulbs for dash lighting that you can get at the chain stores. They work with the dimmer, are pricy, and burn out fast with higher voltage. Same old obsolete bulbs. You can use them and then keep the rheostat down and make sure your voltage regulator isn't going above 14.1 VDC. There are some cheap T-4 LED replacements that will be immune to high DC volts and vibration, but probably won't work with the rheostat/dimmer.
I have some here but have not tried them in the Instrument cluster.
They work great in the License plate, More light, better color: white, and way less DC current. My guess is the T-4 LEDs used in the license plate sockets will be too bright for the dash lighting, maybe not. I suppose someone will lead the way and find the LED replacements with the right lumens to be acceptable. While the Instrument cluster is out: You could easily play with durable and long lived LEDs in the Instrument cluster on the bench by hooking up 12VDC and seeing if they are the right brightness. I dunno if they have LED replacements that are dim-able, maybe.

It can be that the perfect LED is available now, try www.dx.com for a huge up to date selection. They are cheap enough to order by mail, you just wait a week or so.

Post back with any findings.

Bill








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instrument panel bulbs 850 1997

If I remember correctly, there are 2 micro bulbs for that. Similar to the other bulbs in the panel. Not to be confused with the large bulbs that light up the speedo and tach.
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new








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instrument panel bulbs 850 1997

I took the instrument panel out of my 93, and took all the bulbs out of it (I've decided to part out the 93 instead of fixing it and selling it) and replaced the dead ones in my 97. Seems to work fine.

I also adjusted the mileage to the corrected amount (168450).

Hopefully whatever the issue was with the odometer stopping randomly has been solved
--
1985 245. 246K Gone..but not forgotten. Sold in 2013, found 2018! Still running on the road. Of course.







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