I got a set at the dealer a few months ago. The wire connectors are standard quick slides, small!

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jim Felder
Sent: Monday, November 2, 2015 6:54 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Felder Industries dash foil workaround--one solution to fix iffy instrument lights

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
>