CITROEN AX CLUSTER BULB CONVERT TO LED?

[Theflyingpostman]

My AX Cluster dials come on when start the engine, it doesn't come on when switch sidelight like other cars. The issue is all are tiny 1 watts bulbs, and it doesn't last very long it fused. It is hard work to remove the cluster every time, I thought change to LED it will be bright and should last longer. When I bought this LED from https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382429207989 ... 1408819554

It doesn't work with no light come on, when I put the normal 1 watts bulbs back in it works. I don't know why?

[GiveMeABreak]

That looks dodgy to me as they state LED, but they are clearly not as you can see the filaments through the bulb glass.....

[Rp0thejester]

I'm not sure if it is or isn't a filament joining the + and -. It could just be close together as a spark plug would work. It does say on their site that you may need to fit a reducer before the bulb. CitroJim would be well placed to know the AX electrical system.

[Michel]

Those are LEDs with a plastic cover over the LED itself, looks a bit like a normal bulb but isn't.

[Michel]

My AX Cluster dials come on when start the engine, it doesn't come on when switch sidelight like other cars. The issue is all are tiny 1 watts bulbs, and it doesn't last very long it fused. It is hard work to remove the cluster every time, I thought change to LED it will be bright and should last longer. When I bought this LED from https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382429207989 ... 1408819554

It doesn't work with no light come on, when I put the normal 1 watts bulbs back in it works. I don't know why?

Have you tried putting the bulb in the other way around? LEDs need the correct polarity. I've changed some on cars, but many on motorbikes. AX has simple electrics and should be fine as long as the bulb is not faulty and it's in the right way round.

[Theflyingpostman]

I was told by auto electric that the LED is low on watts, if you have for example more than 4 LED fit it won't work due to the current on old car. I don't really understand anyway. Turn the LED other way round is not working. So stick with normal bulbs for now.

[CitroJim]

I find the old traditional filament bulbs last a long time and whilst it's a bit of fun to swap them it's not a job you have to do very frequently.

When you do need to replace one or two, replace the lot...

Of all the ones in various Citroens and Pugs I've done over the years I've never needed to do it a second time... The AX being no exception.

Have you tried putting the bulb in the other way around? LEDs need the correct polarity. I've changed some on cars, but many on motorbikes. AX has simple electrics and should be fine as long as the bulb is not faulty and it's in the right way round.

In my experience, they are indeed polarised and need to be in the 'right way round'...

Another tip is to test each new bulb before putting them in and then testing them in place again before reassembly. I find packs of bulbs nearly always contain a few duff ones... Buy at lest 50% more than you might need.

[Michel]

In my experience, they are indeed polarised and need to be in the 'right way round'...

Yes, imagine me learning that little fact when I replaced the dash bulbs and warning lights on my Suzuki SV650S, and put the low-fuel LED in the wrong way round. It had no gauge....

[CitroJim]

In my experience, they are indeed polarised and need to be in the 'right way round'...

Yes, imagine me learning that little fact when I replaced the dash bulbs and warning lights on my Suzuki SV650S, and put the low-fuel LED in the wrong way round. It had no gauge....

Oh dear Hope it did not leave you too badly embarrassed and/or stranded Mike!

[MattBLancs]

It's possible for the wire to get misaligned like this:

And so misses the terminal in the bulb holder completely.

As others have said, they only work one way round.

Other to note: very directional, light predominantly shines straight out the end. Bulbs omnidirectional and it's not unusual for the light emitted sideways that generates the illumination intended by original (instrument cluster) designer

[CitroJim]

Yes, good point Matt. I always find I have to redress the wires on the filament versions of those bulbs...

And a very valid point on the light direction...

[Theflyingpostman]

The 1 watts is original, installed 2.3 Watts bulbs it looks better, I can see my mileage and the needles as well. Very pleased.

[Theflyingpostman]

Here is picture before and after.

[CitroJim]

The 1 watts is original, installed 2.3 Watts bulbs it looks better, I can see my mileage and the needles as well. Very pleased.

That's risky, they may run hot enough to cause serious damage to the surrounding plastics...

[Rp0thejester]

Do you actually need to do that, on the vans we used to drive we used to pop the fuse out to change from red backlight to blue, is that possible on an AX? My other concern would be night time driving with no way of turning down the brightness, would a variable resistor work to adjust the brightness??