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Kieran
04-01-2004, 11:48 PM
Chaps,

The backlight behind the clocks on the VR-4... What kind of component is it?!?!

It looks like a tiny flourescent tube with a tiny piece of bare wire coiled around it. It's almost the length of the dash clock pod. There are contacts for both ends of the tube and both ends of the coiled piece of wire.

Any ideas what it is??

SGHOM
04-01-2004, 11:52 PM
dunno ?? but maybe thats what gives the irridescent look to the dash, instead of normal backlight bulbs ??

Kieran
04-01-2004, 11:54 PM
Yes... That's right. The only backlighting is from this tube. I've never seen one before. My camera is out of batteries at the moment, otherwise I'd have posted a piccy.

SGHOM
05-01-2004, 12:01 AM
I know your GLS does not have AYC. just wondering if there is easy access to the 3 lights ?? If so, there must be an electronic signal to these lights, & therefore an audible signal may be possible to install ?? just a mad thought !! :laugh:

Kieran
05-01-2004, 12:03 AM
The clocks are from a 2.5V6 Sport INSERT INTO post VALUES (UK model)... There's no AYC on these cars either, so there's no AYC lights on it:)

There are also several blown LEDs on the dash I've got now as well, goddamit!

Kieran
05-01-2004, 12:09 AM
I think the backlight is a Cold Cathode Flourescent light... But I didn't see an inverter anywhere nearby... Hmmm....

SGHOM
05-01-2004, 12:11 AM
I know we've touched on this subject before regarding audible AYC lights. regardless of my driving position, I cannot see the lights at all. being 6'2" tall, I tend to sit well back, & the only way to see them is to lean forward. [ not reccomended ] if there is access to them, then I'm sure someone with far more knowledge than me, may be able to "interupt" the signal, & make it audible ??? :shrug:

Brind
05-01-2004, 01:53 AM
Derek, surely if the 3 AYC lights has a seperate feed you should be able to wire a sounder or something across each of them, so once you hit individual AYC levels you could get a different tone to indicate different stages, or just one sounder wired to the first light so you just get one sound when AYC has been activated over all levels.

You can get very small tungsten tubes for use in HiFi's etc so it wouldn't be impossible for a larger one to be of use in there, I guess it's a specialist replacement as you can't just go into Halfords and buy that kind of bulb.