Dash lights
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 153
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Dash lights
I dove into replacing all my 73' dash lights. I'm a bit confused tho! I only have one light I. The the speedo housing that is working. After pulling all the old bulbs out I found that all 6 of the speedometer and tach bulbs don't look to be burnt out or damaged.
Any ideas?
Not really sure I want to tear into the wiring harness, but if I have to, I have to.
Also do I need to take out steering column to completely remove speedo and tach panel?
Any ideas?
Not really sure I want to tear into the wiring harness, but if I have to, I have to.
Also do I need to take out steering column to completely remove speedo and tach panel?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 692
Likes: 2
From: Seguin TX
I dove into replacing all my 73' dash lights. I'm a bit confused tho! I only have one light I. The the speedo housing that is working. After pulling all the old bulbs out I found that all 6 of the speedometer and tach bulbs don't look to be burnt out or damaged.
Any ideas?
Not really sure I want to tear into the wiring harness, but if I have to, I have to.
Also do I need to take out steering column to completely remove speedo and tach panel?
Any ideas?
Not really sure I want to tear into the wiring harness, but if I have to, I have to.
Also do I need to take out steering column to completely remove speedo and tach panel?
As for the steering column I just took the 3 9/16" bolts out of the steering wheel carrier and it allowed just enough room to ease out the panel, just go slow. Also my steering wheel is only held on by 6 screws and it is easier to take it off also, but left the column in.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...do I need to take out steering column to completely remove speedo and tach panel?...
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 692
Likes: 2
From: Seguin TX
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 692
Likes: 2
From: Seguin TX
Yes the 8 prong switch is correct part for the original 166 headlight switch and it has the vacuum ports as well. The ones you find at most automotive parts supplies and for less than that amount do not have the vacuum on them. BTW there are only 6 or 7 terminals based on options when you look at the plug.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 692
Likes: 2
From: Seguin TX
That has to be a lose ground causing this issue . I would check the turn signal bulb socket on the back of the speedo first and also the ground wire that connects to the back of the speedo housing in the middle as well. IF the socket is lose the bulb can touch the metal around it and it will cause it to come on.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 692
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From: Seguin TX
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,206
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From: The Motor City
Thanks for sharing your experience with the LED dash lights. Based on your saying 'come in, the water is fine' and especially going to the appreciated trouble of taking/uploading illustrative photos I am going for it. Plan to use natural-ish white hue lights which arrived. I guess I have one question. You mentioned using a 5-led bulb and it appears quite bright. The ones I ordered have 8 LEDs. Do you (or others on the forum) think they will too bright?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
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Are the 8 LED's taller?
I ended up taking the the turn signal LED's back out, the left turn signal kept flickering. Plus I didn't notice the change of brightness in the turn signal. I'm not sure if you will have the same problem as I did.
I'm not sure if the 8 LED's will be to bright.
I do know that the 5 LED in the heater/ac control is very faint, not sure why
I ended up taking the the turn signal LED's back out, the left turn signal kept flickering. Plus I didn't notice the change of brightness in the turn signal. I'm not sure if you will have the same problem as I did.
I'm not sure if the 8 LED's will be to bright.
I do know that the 5 LED in the heater/ac control is very faint, not sure why
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 692
Likes: 2
From: Seguin TX
Are the 8 LED's taller?
I ended up taking the the turn signal LED's back out, the left turn signal kept flickering. Plus I didn't notice the change of brightness in the turn signal. I'm not sure if you will have the same problem as I did.
I'm not sure if the 8 LED's will be to bright.
I do know that the 5 LED in the heater/ac control is very faint, not sure why
I ended up taking the the turn signal LED's back out, the left turn signal kept flickering. Plus I didn't notice the change of brightness in the turn signal. I'm not sure if you will have the same problem as I did.
I'm not sure if the 8 LED's will be to bright.
I do know that the 5 LED in the heater/ac control is very faint, not sure why
and glad it went well for you. I also ordered white bulbs and tried them but decided I wanted to go with blue since that is the color I am going to repaint mine.The LED in my heater control is dim also but so was my factory bulb. I am still trying to figure out if there is anything i can do to make it a little brighter.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 692
Likes: 2
From: Seguin TX
Thanks for sharing your experience with the LED dash lights. Based on your saying 'come in, the water is fine' and especially going to the appreciated trouble of taking/uploading illustrative photos I am going for it. Plan to use natural-ish white hue lights which arrived. I guess I have one question. You mentioned using a 5-led bulb and it appears quite bright. The ones I ordered have 8 LEDs. Do you (or others on the forum) think they will too bright?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 365
From: The Motor City
Secondly, has anyone thought about discretely enlarging the A/C-heater control's downfire lighting hole? I intend to look at that when this Winter from hell finally moves on in July or August. Any opinions or experience?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 705
Likes: 96
From: Ventura County CA
Can you tell me exactly the type and seller of the led's you got on ebay.
There is a thousand and one listings for led dash lights and I would like to have mine end up liking like yours.