Loose dash bulbs

[saddleman]

A few of my dash lights work on & off sometimes. I pulled the bulb sockets & I can wiggle the bulbs & make them go on & off.

Would it be better to mess with the connection or the bulb.

[deanwoolsey]

I have used anti-seize compound on loose electrical connections to enhance the flow. If you read the contents most of the ingredients are metal oxides and very conductive. You do need to be careful about keeping the two sides of the socket separated electrically though since you are working with a conductive substance that has the consistency of grease. I usually use a toothpick to apply a small amount to each contact.

With that said my preference would be to bend the bulb contacts out slightly. If you break a bulb it's a $1.00 or two at the auto parts store. If you ruin a socket, who knows?

[LAF]

While I have never had the problem, I would just replace and see if it was the issue or at least one to see if that wiggle was there still.

After reading about your work, you seem to do first class work on everything you touch.

I have seen where others have changed color of all their bulbs, so they are available readily other then a dealer.

I say in a bulb, if in doubt, replace it.

[saddleman]

The only bulbs I found at the local part stores are 1.4 instead of the oem 1.7 watt. plus they dont seem to fit as good. I'll just tweak the prongs and put them back in.

My new HID headlight just arrived so know all I'm waiting on are my windshield relays.

Back out to the garage: Dave

[fpmlt]

Please keep us posted on your progress. I'm interested in what you come up with. Thanks - Frank

[LAF]

This is a good read with some good info.

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4251&highlight=dash+lightsp://

[saddleman]

I ended up tweaking the bulb & squeezing the socket. They all work now but I won't know for sure until I ride for awhile. Not to good of instructions with HID but its working fine. I bought the 8000 kit with a spare bulb & the spare is a 10,000. I hope thats ok.

[cccpastorjack]

You have some "blue" lights, that's for sure. Mine are 6500 and they are fine. Glad to hear that things are going well, and BTW, anything in HID will be better than those yellow "insect" lights the LT comes with!

I think you made the right decision on the bulbs (instrument panel) too! If ya need something, holler!

[saddleman]

I just wanted to update on the dash bulbs. I have rode about 2500 miles & have gone out of my way to ride on rough roads & for the first time since I have owned my bike all the dash lights are still working.

I am convinced that squeezing the bulb socket together with needle-nose pliers fixed it. When I first tried tweaking out the wires on the bulbs I could still wiggle them & make them go out. It sure is nice to see the speedo & clock at night now.

[vernvernvern]

Hey, thanks for the info. :wave

Now I know how to fix my highbeam indicator bulb that keeps winking at me going down the road. :bmw:

Vern