dull dash
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 431
Likes: 22
From: Chester Illinois
dull dash
have owned my 81 for around 5 years now but have never driven it at night. finally took it for a night ride. i was doing good to see how fast i was going. the dash lights were very dim and i had them turned up all the way. is there any improvements out there to brighten up the dash? thanks, namvet
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
I had a problem with my speedo lights being very dim. They were much dimmer than my tach side. I ended up cleaning up the ground a little bit, and it made a world of difference.
The bulbs are grounded thru the gauge, and the gauge is grounded thru a single blade connector on the bottom of the gauge. Over time, this connector can grow a little surface rust, and then it won't work as well, and the lights will become dimmer. I got down there with a small file, and cleaned it up, and then put a little dielectric gel on it.
*EDIT* I just noticed that you have an 81. The above is for my 72. I don't know how 81's are grounded, so the above may not be of help too you.
The bulbs are grounded thru the gauge, and the gauge is grounded thru a single blade connector on the bottom of the gauge. Over time, this connector can grow a little surface rust, and then it won't work as well, and the lights will become dimmer. I got down there with a small file, and cleaned it up, and then put a little dielectric gel on it.
*EDIT* I just noticed that you have an 81. The above is for my 72. I don't know how 81's are grounded, so the above may not be of help too you.
Last edited by Mashman; Oct 17, 2011 at 12:29 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
You might want to pull the dash out and check the bulbs.. I've got some instructions on how to do this on my site. Really not a hard job either.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=263 It is about the dash pad installation but it covers the speedo tach housing too!
Willcox
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=263 It is about the dash pad installation but it covers the speedo tach housing too!
Willcox
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
If your gonna pull the dash, get rid of those dumb *** self- clip/grounding bulb holders.
I replaced all the bulb holders with newer connectors that wire the gnd directly to the bulb.
no more chasing bad gnd. on tach, or speed-o, ....or gauge cluster.
Stupidest design ever for a car with no body Gnd.
perhaps they corrected these on an 81.
make sure your dimmer works, bulb voltage should vary between 12 - 9 volts with the dimmer.
if that works just replace the bulbs, if it does not work, replace bulbs with leds.
I replaced all the bulb holders with newer connectors that wire the gnd directly to the bulb.
no more chasing bad gnd. on tach, or speed-o, ....or gauge cluster.
Stupidest design ever for a car with no body Gnd.
perhaps they corrected these on an 81.
make sure your dimmer works, bulb voltage should vary between 12 - 9 volts with the dimmer.
if that works just replace the bulbs, if it does not work, replace bulbs with leds.
Last edited by 69Vett; Oct 19, 2011 at 07:03 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 237
Likes: 1
From: Lake Stevens Wa
If your gonna pull the dash, get rid of those dumb *** self- clip/grounding bulb holders.
I replaced all the bulb holders with newer connectors that wire the gnd directly to the bulb.
no more chasing bad gnd. on tach, or speed-o, ....or gauge cluster.
Stupidest design ever for a car with no body Gnd.
perhaps they corrected these on an 81.
make sure your dimmer works, bulb voltage should vary between 12 - 9 volts with the dimmer.
if that works just replace the bulbs, if it does not work, replace bulbs with leds.
I replaced all the bulb holders with newer connectors that wire the gnd directly to the bulb.
no more chasing bad gnd. on tach, or speed-o, ....or gauge cluster.
Stupidest design ever for a car with no body Gnd.
perhaps they corrected these on an 81.
make sure your dimmer works, bulb voltage should vary between 12 - 9 volts with the dimmer.
if that works just replace the bulbs, if it does not work, replace bulbs with leds.
Thanks
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
you want a T10 socket snap in 5/8" hole, here is 1 source:
http://www.marcospecialties.com/prod...p?ic=24%2D8812
this changes from the old bayonet twist type to the newer wedge type bulbs.
Use 168 bulb or 12v led equivelent.
add wire length and gnd. all the group sockets together;
like Tach, Speedo, and center cluster.
do this and the tach, and speedo no longer need Gnd.
center cluster and wiper swith and light switch all will still require GND.
this will eliminate lots of poor dash light problems... forever.
you will need app. 20 sockets to convert the complete dash.
http://www.marcospecialties.com/prod...p?ic=24%2D8812
this changes from the old bayonet twist type to the newer wedge type bulbs.
Use 168 bulb or 12v led equivelent.
add wire length and gnd. all the group sockets together;
like Tach, Speedo, and center cluster.
do this and the tach, and speedo no longer need Gnd.
center cluster and wiper swith and light switch all will still require GND.
this will eliminate lots of poor dash light problems... forever.
you will need app. 20 sockets to convert the complete dash.
Last edited by 69Vett; Oct 21, 2011 at 05:34 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
interestingly enough at the top of this page.
is SuperBrightLeds.com Advertisement, with a coupon code #RE365
bulb #168 equivelent LED - WLED-x-x: 1 LED T10 Wedge Base Bulb $ 1.39
is SuperBrightLeds.com Advertisement, with a coupon code #RE365
bulb #168 equivelent LED - WLED-x-x: 1 LED T10 Wedge Base Bulb $ 1.39
