Dash is very dim
 

My 85 300D has a very darkly illuminated instrument panel. Can this easily be brightened up?

thourogh cleaning assuming you have alread turned the dash light rheostat to max.

However DO resist the urge to put brighter bulbs in..it WILL result in melted parts.

Jiggle the rheostat back and forth until it improves, or put a jumper across the terminals in back. And say Hi to RMN for me.

Pick up new bulbs, it'll be MUCH brighter. The ones in there probably have black stuff within the blub and covered in dust. I believe they're about 1.2w. DO NOT get a higher one, as said... stuff will melt.

Check the bulbs. I think the cluster lights are 3 watt bulbs. I just replaced them in my 126. I removed old 3 watt bulbs and installed new 3 watt bulbs.
Old bulbs get dim over time. Do not put in over watt bulbs or you will melt the plastic.

what do you think about xenon bulbs??? is it safe??? or is ti also going to melt the plastic????

new bulbs available at autozone. also try to take off the shades when it gets dark.:D

I've replaced ALL the dash bulbs, there is handfull of 'em. My dash is still dim, which is OK, I can see it, but still dim. My Impala's dash lights on bright will blind you.

You'll be suprised at what new dash bulbs will do when cleaned behind there too. Just stick to them.

Xenon for the headlamps

Yes, if you use higher wattage bulbs, plastic parts will melt and make things even dimmer. Evidently, this has happened in the past on mine. Recently, I have been trying to locate replacements for the two main bulb-surrounds in my instrument cluster. They are easily removed and look like cubes with one side out.

Anybody have some in good shape?

Also, I have heard that touching up the needles with new flourescent paint makes the guages appear brighter.

You should see how BRIGHT my SDL's cluster, I picked up a like new one for next to nothing. Still is bright orange, it's insane.

I know where you could get some, PM me for the scoop.

What does it take to get into the dash to change out the bulbs?

On which model????
 

(Hint: Put the model # & year in your signature under "User CP");)

Thanks for the tip. Does that help?

That it does. :D