Dash Globe Replacement for AU Models

[Nurse Josh]

Hi All,

Finally fed up with not being able to see the LCD displays on both my console Clock and Odometer, I decided it was about time to do something about it.

My vehicle is an AU III Forte. First, one half of the odometer LCD failed about 1.5 years ago, followed shortly after by the clock. Last week the other half of the odometer went dark. It was time for some intervention.

Firstly, I removed the Odometer / speedometer instrument panel. This is done quiet painlessly by removing the 2 screws from above the panel. Then slide a screw driver around the upper most joins of the panel. I used a suction cap (like the ones that come with GPS navigation units for window mounting) to pull the panel out. I disconnected the 2 cables into the panel.

The globes are hidden behind 2x screw base holders which connect them to the panel PCB. A quarter turn of a screw driver releases them.



I replaced them with an equivalent bulb. The factory fit bulbs are 1.2watt @12v.
I used a JAYCAR Cat: SL-2675, which is a Mini Lamp with a pre-wired lead which is easily stripped and placed into the globe holder. They sit slightly above the factory fit globe, however for a $0.90 cost, what does one expect?



The globe replacement for the LCD clock was slightly more difficult to do. Without having to remove the radio and centre facia, I was able to reach through the cavity left by the speedometer panel and un-clip 3 of the facia mounts from the dash. This left about a 10cm working space, enough for me to use a stubby Phillips head screwdriver to unscrew the LCD clock display and remove and replace the globe. By far the most difficult part was screwing the clock back into place behind the facia panel.



Re-connect the odometer / speedometer instrument panel and reposition back in place.

The whole exercise cost me $2.70 and about 30 minutes of time.

Hopefully this helps someone!


Cheers- Josh!