Technical Article - Changing the Bulb in 505 GTi Series II Digital Clocks

1. Prise out the small triangular plastic cover to the left of the clock using something with a thin blunt blade (for example an old butter knife) .  If you get the blade under the top or bottom edge in the centre of the cover, you should be able to bow the plastic out until either the left or right end pops out. 
   
2. Remove the ash tray.
   
3. Undo the screws behind the triangular plastic cover and the screw behind the ash tray. It is better to use a speciality bit to do this as the screws are not the normal Phillips head screws (Dick Smith Electronics had a small set of security bits on sale recently that looked like they might fit the bill for about $13.  Jaycar Electronics also sell similar screwdriver bit sets).
   
4. Put a small flat bladed screw driver into the small hole on the left hand side of the instrument panel and press it in gently to spring the clip that holds the instrument panel in (you only need to release  the left hand side).
   
5. Gently bend the top of the console out just enough to undo the connector on the back of the clock and slide it upwards and out.
   
6. If you already have a bulb on hand then the whole process only takes about 10 minutes maximum. I ended up soldering a couple of micro lamps from Tandy ($1.95 for 2, catalogue number 272-1092) into the original holder rather than using the genuine article. Jaycar Electronics also have similar micro lamps available.
   
7. Refitting is the reverse process - but be careful that the console and instrument panel have snapped back into place before doing up the two screws.
   

(As of February 2006 the lamps are still working well in my 1988 505 GTi Wagon).

Simon Nix
23 August 2001