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Replacement gauge cluster light bulbs

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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 01:26 PM
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Default Replacement gauge cluster light bulbs

Whilst I'm sorting my temp gauge and have the gauge cluster on the bench, it makes sense to replace all the bulbs and I don't want to use LEDs as I want to maintain the originality and correct visual appearance, not matter how woeful.

I measured them to be about 3.6W and most of them had L36 markings on them, or 194.

I'm really struggling to find a source of these outside the US (I'm in the UK) so I must be searching incorrectly.

What is the current equivalent spec of these bulbs?




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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 02:04 PM
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Do you have the option to order from Amazon? I just looked and there's bunches of 194 regular lamps there.
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by carriljc
Do you have the option to order from Amazon? I just looked and there's bunches of 194 regular lamps there.
I found these, but like most, they're 5W.... not the 3.6 or 3.6 that's in there.

​​​​​​
Amazon Amazon


Will 5W be okay?

Last edited by Last Triumph; Aug 21, 2021 at 02:26 PM.
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 02:45 PM
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No, no, no, don't use those bulbs! They are halogen and will melt anything plastic near it. Stick with name brand bulbs like Wagner, Sylvania, etc. You don't want to replace them again. If you can't find them in your country I believe Summit Racing ships internationally
www.summitracing.com/parts/wag-bp194ll

Last edited by Fly skids up!; Aug 21, 2021 at 02:51 PM.
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 02:48 PM
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Dash illumination bulbs Dash illumination bulbs

.
And if any of your sockets are hosed:

Dorman bulb sockets / pigtail Dorman bulb sockets / pigtail


Last edited by wadenelson; Aug 21, 2021 at 03:03 PM.
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 03:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Fly skids up!
No, no, no, don't use those bulbs! They are halogen and will melt anything plastic near it. Stick with name brand bulbs like Wagner, Sylvania, etc. You don't want to replace them again. If you can't find them in your country I believe Summit Racing ships internationally
www.summitracing.com/parts/wag-bp194ll
Struggling to find in the UK - I think halogen is just a nonsense description to attract google searches - they're only 5W so there's only so much heat that can be generated, no?

Sadly, Summit want $60 int shipping to the UK (just checked), as do most US vendors now - its ridiculous.

Originally Posted by wadenelson
Dash illumination bulbs

.
And if any of your sockets are hosed:

Dorman bulb sockets / pigtail

Thanks, but it's the 3.8W 194 style (1895) wedge bulbs I need, like these...


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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 03:30 PM
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I replaced all the bulbs in my 1975 Corvette when I had the IP cluster dropped down. The correct replacement bulbs for the IP Cluster are Type 1895 - also verified by the 1974 Chevrolet Passenger Car Service Manual - Specifications page 29 & 1975 Chevrolet Passenger Car Service Manual Supplement - Specifications page #32. These appear to be readily available at Amazon, Walmart, bulbs.com, and all the auto parts stores (O'Reilly, Advanced Auto, Auto Zone, etc.)
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 03:35 PM
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Originally Posted by CaseyP
I replaced all the bulbs in my 1975 Corvette when I had the IP cluster dropped down. The correct replacement bulbs for the IP Cluster are Type 1895 - also verified by the 1974 Chevrolet Passenger Car Service Manual - Specifications page 29 & 1975 Chevrolet Passenger Car Service Manual Supplement - Specifications page #32. These appear to be readily available at Amazon, Walmart, bulbs.com, and all the auto parts stores (O'Reilly, Advanced Auto, Auto Zone, etc.)
Thanks - I can find them, just not easily in the UK..... however, have just stumbled across these...

​​​​​​
Amazon Amazon

They look correct, no?
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 03:43 PM
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Type 194 bulbs are wedge base bulbs. Type 1895 are bayonet base - twist to lock. These are two completely different bulb base styles. Both were used in 1970's Chevrolet IP Clusters. It's important to know what model year you are servicing.
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by CaseyP
Type 194 bulbs are wedge base bulbs. Type 1895 are bayonet base - twist to lock. These are two completely different bulb base styles. Both were used in 1970's Chevrolet IP Clusters. It's important to know what model year you are servicing.
Forgive me, its for 1981 and I have wedge bulbs in there,
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 03:48 PM
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If you are using Type 194 wedge base bulbs, then your Amazon link in post #8 is the correct bulb.
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by CaseyP
If you are using Type 194 wedge base bulbs, then your Amazon link in post #8 is the correct bulb.
Thanks!
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Last Triumph
Thanks - I can find them, just not easily in the UK..... however, have just stumbled across these...

​​​​​​https://www.amazon.co.uk/SYLVANIA-Lo.../dp/B00BJEZEL6

They look correct, no?

They look correct to me.

DC
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 04:40 PM
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Thanks - have ordered.
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 05:29 PM
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Before you install al the bulbs, take the time and get some emery paper and clean the contact surface of each socket. Most of my sockets had enough build up, some of the new bulbs didn't light until I cleaned them.
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by kingkohlmn
Before you install al the bulbs, take the time and get some emery paper and clean the contact surface of each socket. Most of my sockets had enough build up, some of the new bulbs didn't light until I cleaned them.
I wondered about that - will do!
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 09:12 PM
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Also put just a wipe of dielectric grease (non-conductive) on the terminals of the bulbs and sockets. That acts as a barrier to air/moisture making contact with the terminals so that they do not corrode as quickly. It is also a good thing for circuit board contact strips, battery terminals, etc.

Last edited by 7T1vette; Aug 21, 2021 at 09:13 PM.
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Old Aug 22, 2021 | 06:00 AM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
Also put just a wipe of dielectric grease (non-conductive) on the terminals of the bulbs and sockets. That acts as a barrier to air/moisture making contact with the terminals so that they do not corrode as quickly. It is also a good thing for circuit board contact strips, battery terminals, etc.
Another great tip, thanks!
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Old Aug 22, 2021 | 12:19 PM
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This table is from a 79 manual. It has 192, 558 and 1891 bulbs in addition to 194’s.

1979 manual. Candlepower is easy to convert to lumens or watts.
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Old Aug 22, 2021 | 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Kerschmolar
This table is from a 79 manual. It has 192, 558 and 1891 bulbs in addition to 194’s.

1979 manual. Candlepower is easy to convert to lumens or watts.
He has an 81.
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