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MG TD TF 1500 - TD DASH LIGHT BULBS

I cannot remove my very old dash light bulbs. I have not broken one yet. Stupid question. I assume they unscrew?
It appears that there is a thin piece of metal that acts as the female thread. Can anyone advise on the best way to unstuck and remove the bulbs?
I can't imagine that the old trick of breaking the bulb then using a peeled raw potato to remove the remaining bits working too well on such a small bulb.
Thanks
Morris
M Wadds

As I recall...Mine do not thread in. Regards, Tom
tm peterson

Hint, If their too slippery to turn, wear a rubber glove and it will help gripping the bulb to turn. PJ
Paul S Jennings

The description for replacement bulbs describe the bulbs as screw base. I will give the gloves a try. If the bulb breaks I will at least have some additional protection.
Thanks
Morris
M Wadds

Screw base.. But they just insert. As I recall. Regards, tom
tm peterson

Sometimes a small rubber or plastic hose pressed over the bulb will work.
Sandy
SANDY

TD dash panel lamps were screw in type bulbs, as were the ignition warning lamp and the fuel sender warning lamp. The dash panel lamps should be easily removable by applying a small needle nose pliers behind the dash on the base of the bulb and turning them, you do not have to touch the glass. If you are referring to the ignition or fuel sender warning lamps, those should simply pop out, there is nothing holding them in place except the screw in bezel and the colored glass cover in front. If they won't come out, I would suggest just breaking the glass and then getting a grip on the metal base with needle nose pliers and pulling gently.

The manual lists the fuel warning and ignition warning bulbs as Lucas 987 bulbs. For more info on these bulbs go to http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/b.pl/987~lucas.html They are Edison miniature screw-in bases 10mm.

I think, but am not sure, that the panel lamps are the same type as the ignition and sender lamps.

http://www.bulbtown.com/Miniature_Screw_Base_E10_s/1008.htm
has them for 30 cents up to $1 each...
Geoffrey M Baker

The bulbs for the panel lights are 12 volt, whereas ignition, fuel light and turn signal depend on the socket configuration. If the socket has resistance wire wrapped around it, they take a 2.2 volt version of the panel light bulbs. The reason for that is the plastic lenses in the sockets for the ignition, fuel and turn signals are plastic and can be damaged by the higher heat from the 12 volt bulbs. Cheers - Dave
D W DuBois

Dave, another good reason for replacing with 12v LEDs which run far cooler... as well as more light!
Geoffrey M Baker

Thanks Tom, Sandy, Geof & Dave. Good ideas. I have the bulbs for the ignition & low fuel warning lights & the dash bulbs are on order from LBC. I just could not budge the dash bulbs with my bare fingers.
Thanks again
Morris
M Wadds

This thread was discussed on 13/03/2015

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