V40: dashboard lights replacement buls

[mathewst]

I know there were a lot of posts on led but that is the route I don't like.
Don't like the way the light is missing on some parts of the dash so was wandering.
Has anyone found suitable bulbs which can replace ones on the dashboard and light cluster but without the insane dealer places.
I mean just the bulbs without the holder. I was hopeing to save the holder and just replace and solder the bulb if possible.
Really not wanting to pay 60-70 pounds for a few bulbs at the stealers

[clarkey1984]

the bulbs that fit the heater panel and headlight switch are lucas LLB286TFB1, there are equivalents, they're also known generically as a t4.2 wedge bulb, the ring automotive code is R509TDBK, and as you say these are soldered into the base so you cant swap them, not without going on missions anyway, volvo list 2 different part numbers as the holders for the heater panel are ever so slightly longer and so technically different, but the ones that fit the headlight switch do fit both positions, plus i dont think you can get the longer ones from anywhere but volvo, i bought a pack of 10 ring ones yesterday from my local motor factors for £7.30, cheaper than one bulb from volvo, you'll need to keep the blue rubber covers from the old bulbs though otherwise you'll get a yellowy orange colour.

The ones in the dashboard clocks are an llb286, or t5 wedge, the bulb itself simply pulls out of the long plastic holder, you can buy them with the black base already attached, but due to the shorter base than the volvo standard a regular based bulb wont light the area properly because the bulb is too far back.