Nice. Where does one find one of these sockets and mating connector, at the
dealer?

Thanks, Jim

On Sun, Nov 1, 2015 at 7:54 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> Socket #  437919039 will twist in and allow standard wedge style bulbs and
> slide on wire connectors . This socket is also used on the automatics to
> illuminate the shift console.
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Jim Felder
> Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2015 10:37 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Felder Industries dash foil workaround--one solution to fix iffy
> instrument lights
>
> Yesterday I had the time to make a long-needed foil swap in my 83 diesel
> instrument cluster. I had to solder a small piece of braided copper to
> jumper a bad spot on the new foil, no problems there.
>
> I inspected the donor foil and it looked good. When I installed it,
> everything worked except the instrument lights. Sick and tired of having
> some light or another out, I tested and found that none of the three
> instrument cluster lights were getting an juice.
>
> I went to a parts store and bought three of the smallest bulbs I could
> find that I could actually see and get to the terminal wires by unfolding
> them off the back. The bulb was a number 24. I also got a set of alligator
> clips to cannibalize for wire as guess what, the red and black wired clips
> were cheaper and smaller in diameter than any other wire they had. I got an
> automotive connector as well. Any old kind will do. LED bulbs would have
> been better but they didn't have them, that will be a future upgrade.
>
> I started with the harness for the bulbs. After soldering red and black
> wires to each, I went to the instrument panel and inserted each into its
> respective hole to make sure all were long enough but not too long. I
> picked a spot and cut the bundle where I would solder the harness wires to
> the three lights to the power source. For convenience, I just used a spare
> spade terminal I left for future gauges when I installed my EGT and boost
> gauge. It isn't on the dimmer circuit, but next time I actually pull the
> cluster I will probably change it over.
>
> The most difficult part was figuring out a way to fasten the bulbs in
> their place without the twist-in socket. I got an inspiration from my
> soldering iron which has a cork handle. I  cut strips out of 1/8 inch cork
> gasket and put a hole in the center of each piece (you see how large and
> where the holes go when you take the small fixtures out) that fit the bulbs
> snugly. I made the holes with a harbor freight leather punch. I added two
> holes in the cork to push down over the plastic pins that position the foil
> on the fixtures. So, the cork strips push down over the pins and the lights
> push into the holes in the center of both outers ones, holding everything
> in place. I simply glued the middle on over the idiot light indicators with
> a few drops of superglue. If I ever get this foil working, or get a working
> foil, I can simply pull this stuff off and go back to the original setup.
> No damage was done nor modifications made.
>
> I chose cork because automotive gasket material is meant to resist high
> temperatures and I did not know how hot the bulbs get. I still don't know
> that and will have to keep an eye on this over the nest few days as I would
> hate to be on the road and smell plastic melting. I don't think that will
> happen, but I am prepared to either reduce the current to these or go to
> cooler bulbs.
>
> They look good and are really bright.
>
> Jim
>