Defender Speedometer back lights

LeftFoot · Apr 25, 2014

I'm looking to replace the backlights on my 300tdi defender speedo. However unlike the other dials which carry 12V bulbs (T10 I believe) the lights appear to be set quite deep into the actual housing of the speedometer almost like they are not replaceable. Both of them can be seen from the back of the speedometer.

I was thinking of going the direction of LEDs for a more modern, vibrant look.

Has anyone ever replaced these. If so, how are they removed? Longnose/birdbeak pliers perhaps?

I believe the attached photo shows what I'm dealing with. Can anyone confirm?

greyhair · Apr 25, 2014

Nice easy job
They just pull out
got a set from ebay for £10 that does all clocks
saying that I got blue ones, nice and bright but look cheesey

james6546 · Apr 25, 2014

LeftFoot said:
I'm looking to replace the backlights on my 300tdi defender speedo. However unlike the other dials which carry 12V bulbs (T10 I believe) the lights appear to be set quite deep into the actual housing of the speedometer almost like they are not replaceable. Both of them can be seen from the back of the speedometer.

I was thinking of going the direction of LEDs for a more modern, vibrant look.

Has anyone ever replaced these. If so, how are they removed? Longnose/birdbeak pliers perhaps?

I believe the attached photo shows what I'm dealing with. Can anyone confirm?

I put these in mine

4x ERROR FREE CANBUS 8 SMD LED XENON HID WHITE W5W T10 501 SIDE LIGHT BULBS | eBay

I changed all of the dial ones, it is a really easy job and looks great at night, kind of a light turqoise colour.

From memory you just turn a holder and it pulls out with your fingers. My memory is awful, but it def didn't need any additional tools.

I will take a photo tonight when it is dark if you like?

mick the builder · Apr 25, 2014

james6546 said:
I put these in mine

4x ERROR FREE CANBUS 8 SMD LED XENON HID WHITE W5W T10 501 SIDE LIGHT BULBS | eBay

I changed all of the dial ones, it is a really easy job and looks great at night, kind of a light turqoise colour.

From memory you just turn a holder and it pulls out with your fingers. My memory is awful, but it def didn't need any additional tools.

I will take a photo tonight when it is dark if you like?

That would be good. To save me looking, how many bulbs in total do you need or packs of 4?

james6546 · Apr 25, 2014

mick the builder said:
That would be good. To save me looking, how many bulbs in total do you need or packs of 4?

From memory 2 for the speedo, then 1 for each of the dials.

I haven't changed the clock yet as it has a coloured bulb instead of a coloured dial, but I reckon I will as it will look better white than murky green!

OxonLandy · Apr 25, 2014

LeftFoot said:
I'm looking to replace the backlights on my 300tdi defender speedo. However unlike the other dials which carry 12V bulbs (T10 I believe) the lights appear to be set quite deep into the actual housing of the speedometer almost like they are not replaceable. Both of them can be seen from the back of the speedometer.

I was thinking of going the direction of LEDs for a more modern, vibrant look.

Has anyone ever replaced these. If so, how are they removed? Longnose/birdbeak pliers perhaps?

I believe the attached photo shows what I'm dealing with. Can anyone confirm?

yeah, piece of ****. just remove the speedo cable to give yourself more room if you can. 2 in the speedo and one in each dial. I did the clock too but cos there's no filter on the dial itself you'll have to get a coloured led if you want it to match the others. oh, and it'll look a lot brighter than the other dials too

MR BFG · Apr 26, 2014

I've done mine recently too, with nice purple/pink LEDs, so much easier to read at night. I bought 4 bulbs from ebay for about £3 they're just normal 501 wedge bulbs. I also took/broke the filter out so the colour would properly come through and superglued the holders to the dials.

james6546 · Apr 26, 2014

These are what mine look like with just white LEDs and the normal filters. They aren't quite so bright in reality.

Also, on a side note...while I went to take those photos I managed to lock my keys in the defender...guess that can wait until tomorrow!

lynall · Apr 27, 2014

I did this some time back and the leds are pretty crap at night with the std green filter, can be difficult to actually read the speedo some times
But as led tech has moved on maybe the newer ones are better?
If they were as bright as the ones in the pic above I would be a happy chappy

james6546 · Apr 27, 2014

lynall said:
I did this some time back and the leds are pretty crap at night with the std green filter, can be difficult to actually read the speedo some times
But as led tech has moved on maybe the newer ones are better?
If they were as bright as the ones in the pic above I would be a happy chappy

They are pretty bright at night. About 50% brighter than standard. If you get SMD LEDs they are a lot brighter than older ones.

LeftFoot · Apr 27, 2014

Thanks for the replies.

However since I have removed the speedometer dial and removed the three screws, how do I actually access the bulbs? The two channels are too small to accommodate a bird beak. Do I separate the see-through face from the body?

Pikey · Apr 27, 2014

LeftFoot said:
Thanks for the replies.

However since I have removed the speedometer dial and removed the three screws, how do I actually access the bulbs? The two channels are too small to accommodate a bird beak. Do I separate the see-through face from the body?

Ermm the bulb just plugs into the hole in the back of the speedo. You don't undo anything.

LeftFoot · Apr 27, 2014

Pikey said:
Ermm the bulb just plugs into the hole in the back of the speedo. You don't undo anything.

Maybe mine's a different form factor to yours. Please see attached photos. Sorry the quality is not that sharp but you can see the diameter and the depth of the channels.

The contacts for the bulb holders (blue pieces) are most likely at the front. My issue is that I can't access the bulb holders to remove them.

Anyone had an experience with this type?

Pikey · Apr 27, 2014

LeftFoot said:
Maybe mine's a different form factor to yours. Please see attached photos. Sorry the quality is not that sharp but you can see the diameter and the depth of the channels.

The contacts for the bulb holders (blue pieces) are most likely at the front. My issue is that I can't access the bulb holders to remove them.

Anyone had an experience with this type?

On mine the bulbs fit in them 2 big holes. but your's looks like the tubes have been broken off.

Pikey · Apr 27, 2014

Actually have just done a quick google and found this. Tis amazing what you can find on google..

Asuming yours is a TD5..

Td5 Gauges – Bulb Information - Land Rover Technical Blog

lynall · Apr 27, 2014

james6546 said:
They are pretty bright at night. About 50% brighter than standard. If you get SMD LEDs they are a lot brighter than older ones.

Ive ordered some, got to be worth a try?

lynall · Apr 27, 2014

Pikey said:
Actually have just done a quick google and found this. Tis amazing what you can find on google..

Asuming yours is a TD5..

Td5 Gauges Bulb Information - Land Rover Technical Blog

Twist them with some long pliers anti clockwise roughly 1/4 turn then pull them out
The bulbs we are talking about wont fit yours

LeftFoot · Apr 27, 2014

Pikey said:
Actually have just done a quick google and found this. Tis amazing what you can find on google..

Asuming yours is a TD5..

Td5 Gauges Bulb Information - Land Rover Technical Blog

You have got to be kidding me. What did we do before the internet!!??
Thanks a million. The tweezers fit into the channel but it's still a little challenging to twist those bulb holders but I'll keep at it and let you know the results.
Tweezers.... why didn't I think of that

?

Defender Speedometer back lights

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