Dim dash lights and radio questions ('82 240D)?
 

My dash lights are very dim. Is there an adjustment knob for them (rheostat)?

On my stock radio, I want to upgrade to a KDC-X590. Is there an adapter pigtail that I need or is it a straight across swap?

THanks.

Kurt

I believe the odometer stick is the dimmer adjustment on the car. You need to try and spin it clockwise for lighter and counter clockwise for dimmer. Keep in mind these are pretty much the worst lit dashes in any car EVER. My dads 57 chevy had better lights, and that used a common ground for everything. If you have any light they are probably working normally. I am going to look around for my car, but I know there are LED conversions for some types of bulbs out there, I think there are only 4 bulbs to light the gauges so that wouldn't be to expensive.

Last week I took my cluster apart, cleaned it, fixed my clock, actually placed all my instrumentation into a 'new' cluster housing (my old one had some cracks in it), and replaced the three main larger bulbs that provide the light for the cluster. One thing I did before putting it back together was to take some HVAC foil tape and stuck it in side the white plastic housings for the bulbs. All I can say is, I CAN ACTUALLY SEE MY INSTRUMENTS AT NIGHT! :D :) :D

that makes me happy... :ukliam3: !

Yup, the rheostat is on the left of the Spedo. That was one of the first things I had to replace when I first got my 240D. No contact cleaner would fix it. Just had to replace it. That with some new bulbs (blue extra bright xenon if I remember correctly) made my dash just fine.

You can jumper your current rheostat, just solder the leads on the back, no need to replace.