Switch 'backlights' not working

[markospondon]

Rather confusing title I know. Problem I have is that the lighting up the dashboard switches at night when headlights are on. Several don't light up, is it easy enough to sort?
1996 ES

Cheers
Mark.

[bilge rat]

you mean the little switches each side of the dash unit, ie fog ,spots e.tc. them switches pull out individually ,little bulbs in the back turn em about 1/4 a turn they'll fall out, good luck alan...........

[poseidon]

Aha - any idea how to replace the backlight in the little digital clock? ('96 Tdi disco). That guy doesn't seem to just pull out too easily and could require a complete dash dismantling to access the blown bulb/lose wire......Keith

[bilge rat]

yeah as you lokk at it , theres 4 tags about 1cm from the corners. 2 at the top and two at the bottom, you'll need something really flat like a feeler guage .50 mm or there about iff yourve got 2 even better slide them in and try and release the little tabs, pretty tricky dont force them too hard . good luck alan.........(more than likely be backlight bulb)

[markospondon]

Thansk for the info Alan, may sound a daft question, but where's best to get the bulbs...........?

[Madoobri]

something really flat like a feeler guage
or a couple of credit cards ;)

[poseidon]

Hmmm....thanks Bilgerat. Regret that after 20 minutes of prodding and levering with a thin stiff feeler blade, I can't get anything to release or yield around the adges of the clock. I presume that there are thermonplastic tags that spring-lock the digi clock unit into the dash panel? I'm a bit nervous about using too much force as these things are often a bit brittle and tend to snap off, leaving another overpriced replacement from the main dealers! My clock is not a simple rectangular format - it has a rectangulat 'lobe' bottom right with the landrover logo on it......Keith

[poseidon]

Hi - in desperation, I'm replying to my own post!!..... Anyone got more info on how I can release the digital clock from the dash? Poked, prised, pulled, levered and thumped, all to no result and the next stage will be broken plastic and lost temper. Also, the backlight on the cigarette lighter seems to be blown too. Could be linked to the failure of the clock backlight....just irritating, not life threatening.....Keith

[Cannonball Bob]

The ciggy lighter has a small bulb mounted in the plastic surround. Not spectaculalry engineered, it might be as simple as the bulb slipping out of the main body. It was on mine....

[NomadABC]

Hi - in desperation, I'm replying to my own post!!..... Anyone got more info on how I can release the digital clock from the dash? Poked, prised, pulled, levered and thumped, all to no result and the next stage will be broken plastic and lost temper. Also, the backlight on the cigarette lighter seems to be blown too. Could be linked to the failure of the clock backlight....just irritating, not life threatening.....Keith

It will come out. You will have to use a bit of force. The clock is the entire unit, about 2.5"X2" and the bit with the LR logo, if my memory serves me. Not just the clock front. Go careful with this bit.

You can get bulbs from any auto spares, and they're cheap.

[sparkey]

Re: replacing the clock.

I've had to do mine as some of the elements were not working. Found this set of instructions:
http://www.roverparts.com/INS_Discovery%20Clock%20Replacement_STC1800G.html

While I'm not sure removing the whole dash panel is necessary, I did find it helpful as it allows more room to get feeler gauges into the space around the clock. Also, you only need three gauges - two at the top and one bottom left (I think, might have been right). However, you MUST use all three together and contrary to the above post, DO NOT USE FORCE, or you'll snap those TP clips - I did this before I realised about using three feeler gauges, but it didn't matter as I was replacing the clock anyway.

The whole section, including the hazard warning switch will come out. You can then get at the bulb at the back of the clock very easily. It's a bit bigger than the ones for the instrument switches, but my local motor factor came up with a Ring replacement for the Osram original very quickly.

HTH,
Alyn.