cptndude

Does anyone have any suggestions on fixing my dim dash lights on my '79? I can turn the dimmer switch all the way in either direction. They go from complealy dark to hardly on... I was thinking about replacing the dimmer switch.

LT102

Is it only the dash lights that are dim??

Glass Act

On our 79, they are not the brightest when fully on. Don't compare them to dash lights on more modern cars, they aren't that bright.
One thing to check though, are all the bulbs working.

KevinK

I had the same problem on the 76', so I took out the dash, and it was basically one of the more horrible experiences with that car, lol. The switch wasn't bad though, it was the wires. They were all dried and cracked, so I cut the problem area, and spliced in new wire, for as far as I could reach. Someday, I've got to just replace the harness all together....

but yeah, to your problem, for me, it was just bad wires, rubbing and grounding, etc.

7T1vette

Your problem is likely to be one of two things. 1.) someone (previous owner, etc.) has changed out all of the bulbs and put the wrong bulbs back in (lower wattage than specified); 2.) the rheostat in the light switch is worn out. My guess is that #2 is most likely the problem. If you turn the rheostat from "OFF" up through its full range, and it reaches maximum [although weak] brightness well before you reach the end of its travel, the stat is defective. If is gradually goes from dim to max brightness near the end of the rotary travel, its not the switch.

Kap142

Hummmm I have the same dimness problem with my 72

Glass Act

Have a look at this post on the same subject.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=speedo

justasbad

same problem i had. replace the headlight switch!

Ak. Mal

Even after changing all the bulbs and the headlight switch I still find the dash lights dim. Both clusters rely on light reflecting off of a trim panel. I'm considering painting the backside of each panel a glossy white to improve reflection. Has anyone else done this? Curious if it is worth the trouble.

thrilher

on my '79 i also replaced all bulbs and switch and they're still dim. it has to be heavy into initial dusk before i can even tell they are working.since i can see my gauges at the transition point of sun light to when i begin to see my bulbs illuminate i'm not gonna worry about it

justasbad

ok now u can buy the halogen blue bulb kit

tellcom2001

i replaced the bulbs and switch and circuit board..and they are still dim on my 79 but its a 29 yr old car..the nature of the beast

7T9Shark

I replaced all of my bulbs, too, and they still aren't very bright. Just a design flaw, I guess.

gliot1

Hss anyone ever tried changing to a different bulb intensity? GM has used those bulbs with the little holder for a number of years, and I am sure they have use bulbs of varying intensity. The Vette bulbs aren't very bright by nature and I have wondered if I could upgrade them all. Brighter ones should just draw a little more current, but I wouldn't think enough to blow a fuse or the like.

thrilher

my concern would be whether they melt something or not

gliot1

Agreed, those are the kinds of things I had concerns about. That is why I thought maybe someone here has done it. I believe that C3s just have dim dash lights. Mine have always been fairly dim buy all were the same dimness so I have never thought much of it. They may have made them slightly dimmer due to the tightness of the cabin as well. That many bright guages migh be overwhelming.

KevinK

Oh well, I guess I DIDN'T have the same prob, then, lol. My dash lights would also go OUT when I went over bumps and stuff, lol. No more, though. Thank god.

bobs77vet

guys you are missing the obvious......clean up the ground areas especially where the metal dash is grounded....you will be surprised how much of a difference it makes

KevinK

Exactly. Although, to add, I don't know how well these cars age in general, but in mine, all the wires were cracked and crumbling, too.

cptndude

I think so. I just bought the car. She's been sitting for a long time and I can see the filaments in the interior bulbs are bad. I'm planning on buying a bulb kit and replace all the bulbs