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  #1  
Old 09-22-2004, 12:46 AM
locry's Avatar
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Easy dim dash fix!

Easy dim dash fix!

the dash is lighted by 2 bulbs, which reflect light through 2 prisms. the prisms can be accessed by removing the 2 white plastic covers on top of the dash assembly. to do this you must file away the melted plastic rivets.
once removed the prisms can then be pried off, do this gently, if you break/crack it the transfer of light will be disrupted.
anyway, you will notice a semi frosted section on the prism at the curved tip. this frosted section is the part that illuminates the dash. you want this section really frosted up for max illumination. what i did was i sanded this with fine grade sandpaper, about 800grit. make sure you sand evenly and to not exceed the frosted section.

voila!

note: before sanding test the prism brightness by shining a flashlight on the opposite tip, where the bulb is located. the frosted part should illuminate. sand a small portion at first then shine the flashlight again, you will notice that the newly frosted/sanded portion will shine brighter

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85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
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95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
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  #2  
Old 09-22-2004, 06:10 AM
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How did you refasten the prisms after this process?
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  #3  
Old 09-22-2004, 06:21 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2003
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uhm.. what could be a replacement if those prisms are gone? aside from buying a new or getting a surplus cluster?? i'd like to think that maybe a DIY job of some sort can be done.. possible cut out an aluminum sheet at the shape of the old prism.. or maybe a small mirror to reflect the light.. i dunno.. hehehe (either that or i'm just really a cheapskate.. eheheh)

coz right now.. my cluster has its lights directly coming from the top of the light fixture... a wire leading to the contacts at the back provides the power to it.
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  #4  
Old 09-22-2004, 06:33 AM
locry's Avatar
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mike,
i'm not sure if this applies to a 123 dash, i have a 124 and a 201. you can't fashion aluminum to replace the prism simply because the light isn't really reflected, it goes through the plastic, same principle as fiber optics

brier,
if you remove it correctly, without breaking any stalks, you simply reposition the prism and glue the cover in place. i used white glue, it'll do the job without making anything permanent, in case you want to open it up again. after gluing i put duct tape over the cover just to make sure it doesn't pop out again.
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85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project
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  #5  
Old 09-22-2004, 06:52 AM
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If you were to take a guess on the percentage of change in lighting, what would it be?

The reason I ask is, for the most part, my W124 does have what I would consider dim dash lights. On the other hand, I find night driving easier with the dash lights not extremely bright (comparing to the VW GTI VR6 and the 2004 Camry). After reading what you did, I am tempted to try your approach rather than switching bulbs (I have stayed away from that so far).
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Steve
'87 300TD - 132K - Soon 4-Sale
'84 300D Turbo - 122K - Driving
'77 VW Type II - 77K - Restored
'08 250EX Ninja
English Bulldog (Brier) - My best friend. Passed away 12/02/04 while in my arms.
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  #6  
Old 09-22-2004, 10:38 PM
locry's Avatar
I love this place!!! :)
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Philippines, ...recently submerged, AGAIN
Posts: 1,020
hmmmm, if i rate my dash lighting now as 100%, i'd say it was 60% BEFORE i did the mod. now i can clearly see the silhouette of where the light is coming from, before everything was just black with a little illumination coming from the gauges.

i don't want to change the bulbs to a higher rating because it guarantees melting of the prism, which was the case in my 230e w124.(sold)

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85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project
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