cruise83

I have a 79 with no dash lights. just replaced the headlight switch and it did not fix it. someone mentioned a missing ground, how do I locate?

guappy

First did you check the inst. light fuse? When you had the dash pulled out to replace the headlight switch there is a black wire located on the a pillar directly in line with the headlight switch up or down a little that's the main wiring harness ground check that to see if it's tight and clean.

cruise83

thanks, I will get under there and look. by the way how did you post your photos?

cruise83

ok, I did see that black wire. It was bolted to the pillar. The bolt was clean, but the pillar is very rusted. how do I proceed? tighten? move to another place?

cruise83

tried to loosen that nut on the ground and it ain't mov'n. what are my options?

kingkohlmn

When I got my 78, none of the dash lights worked. All it needed was a good cleaning and bulb replacement. You'll need to take the cluster out and remove all the bulb and sockets. The socket can be pricey if you replace them all. I used a little emery paper and cleaned each socket. I now have all lights working for the dash. Give it a shot.

cruise83

what does "inst." mean?

bluegtp

anyone have any pics of the ground wire from the pillar to the headlight switch?

C3 4ME

If you have a dead short then it would blow the fuse immediately. Have you checked the fuse? On my car 2 circuits on the printed circuit board on the back of hte speedo/tach cluster were touching each other causing the dead short.

guappy

Sorry that it has taken so long to get back to you.A better name for inst. would be dash lights there is a fuse in the panel just for the dash lights it's a 6 amp fuse and it's in the lower right side of the fuse block.Also as one other person said you also might want to check the printed circuit on the back of the cluster and the sockets and bulbs.I did a 79 for my brother and most of the bulbs were burned out.I hope this helps you.

cruise83

ok, great stuff, I'm bound and determined to fix these lights. I removed the dash ground from the pillar and tried to create better contact since it is rusted there, and it did not work. I will replace the fuse and report back. I have purchased the printed circuit, but do not want to go through the hassle of removing the speedo cable. I have the tach out as I am replacing the tach board. The bulbs behind the tach look good and the sockets are clean. Thanks.

cruise83

thanks to the forum! I replaced the headlight switch, removed the ground wire attached it to the hood release bracket and replaced the 7.5 amp inst lamp fuse..and magic..the dash lights lit.