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Replacing bulb on indicator stalk

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 10:49 am
by JohnLiles
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The bulb on my turn indicator stalk failed recently so I had to replace it . In principle this is a DIY task , you don't need a specialist mechanic or special tools.

I encountered some difficulty though so thought I would document it here . NB my car has been converted to 12 volt electrics so I obtained a 12 volt 2 watt bulb same size as existing bulb.

First up a picture showing the old bulb on LHS , it was made by Hella and there is no flared lip on the metal end cap where it joins glass bulb . Next to it is the replacement bulb made by Lucas , it has a flared lip on the metal end cap . It has similar shape/size ribs pressed into the end cap , one of there will locate in a slot in the indicator stalk body.

Next up , a picture of the indicator stalk . I assume it is standard pattern !
The red plastic end cap unscrews and pulls off , then the bulb can be prised out and the replacement fitted by pushing it home until contact made with an internal contact rod and the soldered end tip of the bulb.

However , the flared lip prevents the Lucas bulb fully entering the stalk , the interference is a fraction of a millimetre but enough. The solution is to carefully file down the lip until it fits . Maybe if I had been supplied a Hella bulb with exactly same shape as the old bulb it would not need customising. These bulbs are fitted elsewhere in the instrument panel so worth buying more than one .

Re: Replacing bulb on indicator stalk

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 4:57 pm
by Jules Dielen
Thank you for that info. They are standard BA7s bulbs, available from many sources and manufacturers. i am not sure Lucas parts and German cars like each other :)

I had no idea they put the turn signal stalk on the 'other' side on a RHD car!

Re: Replacing bulb on indicator stalk

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 9:13 pm
by Rick Albro
John,
I have a question.... could the bulb with the lip be installed elsewhere such as an instrument light and exchange the bulb to another location?

Re: Replacing bulb on indicator stalk

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 1:22 am
by Spencer Harris
Jules Dielen wrote:I had no idea they put the turn signal stalk on the 'other' side on a RHD car!
...and the fuel gauge pump button.

Re: Replacing bulb on indicator stalk

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 11:13 am
by JohnLiles
Rick Albro wrote:John,
I have a question.... could the bulb with the lip be installed elsewhere such as an instrument light and exchange the bulb to another location?
I guess so Rick , that's lateral thinking ! I tend to just do one thing at a time when it goes wrong , I do have a workshop manual for my C , but the pre A is a voyage of discovery .