Porsche 944 Instrument Panel Light

The Lights Within the Porsche 944 Instrument Panel

1-2-2004

Tools needed:

  • Phillips screwdriver
  • 24mm socket for steering wheel

Instrument panel dim? Replacing the bulbs with new ones will brighten it up. There are three bulbs, type 168* [see the update].

The little tiny bulbs sprinkled throughout the interior are type "74".

To remove instrument cluster, first remove steering wheel (24mm socket). Make a paint-mark somewhere on it so you can re-install at the same position.

The trim piece around the gauge cluster is held by:

  • three screws up top
  • two screws underneath near the steering post
  • three screws in the vents

The gauge cluster is then held in by four screws. You have to unplug the three connectors from the back (gently push in plastic ejecting arms).

Take it out and you'll have access to the bulbs in the back. If something doesn't work properly after you re-install, take it out again and reseat the connectors. That will fix it.

5-2010 Update

I had my instrument panel out and I noticed that the bulb holders and the light tunnel area had been warped from excess heat. D'oh!

So, doing a little more bulb research:

  • 168 bulb amp/watt: .35A / 4.9W 
  • 194 bulb amp/watt: .27A / 3.78W 
  • 158 bulb amp/watt: .24A / 3.36W 
  • 161 bulb amp/watt: .19A / 2.66W 

My car had 168's for at least 6 years, and this is the first time I've noticed the problem, so if you have 168's in, I wouldn't rush to change them.

What you can do is get a set of the LED replacement bulbs. They are making them in the size 168 standard and those should give plenty of light with minimal heat.

I replaced my bulbs with white T1-3/4 LEDs. Not bright enough! I have some 10mm white LEDs on order and I am going to try those. If that doesn't work, I will have to refurbish the reflective material on the light-pipes.

Porsche Dash Lights

May 26, 2012

The larger LEDs made no difference whatsoever. So I had to remove the light pipes (slice off 'rivits' with a razor), clean them (I used 400 grit sandpaper under flowing water) and attach some reflective material (aluminum foil). Gauges are visible again!