96 850 gauge cluster dim-spot

themadstorkhimself · Post by **themadstorkhimself** » 12 Nov 2016, 00:12

I recently performed an odometer gear replacement on my 96 850 gle, and the first time driving at night I noticed that some of the gauge lights are dim in one area. While reassembling I did here a small crack pushing the back onto the faceplate (obviously an error on my part).

My question is whether or not anyone has any insight as to whether this is simply a bulb issue, or if I've somehow damaged the electronics board behind the cover on the very back. The lights do not flicker at all and work perfectly elsewhere. As you'll see it's only at the top end of the speedometer, right side of the tachometer, and end of the speedometer needle which are dimmer than the rest.

Post by **abscate** » 12 Nov 2016, 04:08

You probably just have a bulb or two out. Replacement is in the repair database, let us know if you can't find it.

Post by **jreed** » 12 Nov 2016, 06:28

+1 on abscate's advice... I had similar behavior on my '97 855 GLT about six years ago. It was caused by one burned out bulb. I replaced it and the dash has been working well with even illumination so far.

Post by **tryingbe** » 12 Nov 2016, 07:23

Put in the LEDs of color of your choice and you will never look back. Yes, the mpg gauge suppose to light up as well, you have two bulbs out there.

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/10 ... of-my-car/

Post by **misha** » 12 Nov 2016, 08:27

Two little bulbs for trip computer display and one bigger between speedo & rpm.

If they worked fine before...it could be just a bad contact since you needed to dismantle the whole instrument cluster for odometer gear replacement.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 12 Nov 2016, 09:03

Replace them all while you are there, not just the burned out ones. I just replaced a couple of them once and the others burned out about a month later and I had to go through the whole process over again. The main gauge lights are very common bulbs that you can get at any auto parts store. The bulbs for the information display that are also burned out in your picture are harder to find other than at the dealer but there are some threads in the repair database that detail how to replace the lamps in the special socket with some Radio Shack bulbs.

...Lee

themadstorkhimself · Post by **themadstorkhimself** » 12 Nov 2016, 11:27

Since the consensus is so cohesive I'll go ahead and assume that this is in fact a bulb issue and not something else. I'll seek out a bulb kit or perhaps undergo the LED conversion tryingbe posted.

Thank you all for your input. Very glad it's just bulbs.

Justmadethisacc · Post by **Justmadethisacc** » 08 Aug 2026, 18:52

Hello I am also having a similar problem on my 95 850 glt none of my lights for the speedometer come on at night and it’s really hard to see at night without it I’m not sure what to do do I follow your replies advice?

Post by **jreed** » 09 Aug 2026, 06:00

Welcome to MVS!
There is a dimmer on the far left side of the dashboard -- I'm guessing you already checked that to make sure it's not all the way to the left, which would shut off the dashboard lights.

Post by **scot850** » 09 Aug 2026, 08:28

All lights out are either as suggested a dimmer switch turned off, a dimmer switch has failed, or the actual light switch has failed for switching them on. The light switches on 850's were prone to failure.

Neil.