Dash Lighting
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 561
Likes: 287
From: Louisville KY
Dash Lighting
Going to install new Upper,left,right Dash
Can I test and make sure all the lights work properly before putting dash back together or is there a grounding issue with it apart that prevents testing before putting back together?
Thanks in advance for all help and suggestions
Can I test and make sure all the lights work properly before putting dash back together or is there a grounding issue with it apart that prevents testing before putting back together?
Thanks in advance for all help and suggestions
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,117
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From: Madeira Beach, FL
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Not knowing the year car, I can only tell you yes I did it in my 68.
I replaced all bulbs while dash was out.
My dash light bulbs had a grey wire.
I put a bulb in the socket securely and touched it to the housing
It illuminated, I put it in the appropriate socket and moved on.
I made a template of my wire color codes before I pulled lower drivers side dash pad. You don't want to find your hi beam bulb
inserted in the tach ie...
Marshal
I replaced all bulbs while dash was out.
My dash light bulbs had a grey wire.
I put a bulb in the socket securely and touched it to the housing
It illuminated, I put it in the appropriate socket and moved on.
I made a template of my wire color codes before I pulled lower drivers side dash pad. You don't want to find your hi beam bulb
inserted in the tach ie...
Marshal
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 561
Likes: 287
From: Louisville KY
Not knowing the year car, I can only tell you yes I did it in my 68.
I replaced all bulbs while dash was out.
My dash light bulbs had a grey wire.
I put a bulb in the socket securely and touched it to the housing
It illuminated, I put it in the appropriate socket and moved on.
I made a template of my wire color codes before I pulled lower drivers side dash pad. You don't want to find your hi beam bulb
inserted in the tach ie...
Marshal
I replaced all bulbs while dash was out.
My dash light bulbs had a grey wire.
I put a bulb in the socket securely and touched it to the housing
It illuminated, I put it in the appropriate socket and moved on.
I made a template of my wire color codes before I pulled lower drivers side dash pad. You don't want to find your hi beam bulb
inserted in the tach ie...
Marshal
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Electrical ground for each bulb is thru the metal portion of the socket. In most (if not all) C3 cars, the metal grounding point is the little bulb retainer pressed into the plastic socket.
So, if you have installed the bulb in the socket and want to test it without installing the socket in the panel, you will need to run a jumper wire (alligator clips on the ends?) from the metal housing to that metal portion of the socket.
P.S. If your sockets are like mine, the metal piece wants to become dislodged from the socket...and it can fall inside of the instrument housing!! To resolve this, remove the clip and put a spot of good epoxy (2-part JBWeld is what I use) on the two installation prongs, then reattach to the socket. Allow to cure [at least] overnight before installing the socket back to the cluster. You won't have problems with those clips coming loose, again.
So, if you have installed the bulb in the socket and want to test it without installing the socket in the panel, you will need to run a jumper wire (alligator clips on the ends?) from the metal housing to that metal portion of the socket.
P.S. If your sockets are like mine, the metal piece wants to become dislodged from the socket...and it can fall inside of the instrument housing!! To resolve this, remove the clip and put a spot of good epoxy (2-part JBWeld is what I use) on the two installation prongs, then reattach to the socket. Allow to cure [at least] overnight before installing the socket back to the cluster. You won't have problems with those clips coming loose, again.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 561
Likes: 287
From: Louisville KY
Electrical ground for each bulb is thru the metal portion of the socket. In most (if not all) C3 cars, the metal grounding point is the little bulb retainer pressed into the plastic socket.
So, if you have installed the bulb in the socket and want to test it without installing the socket in the panel, you will need to run a jumper wire (alligator clips on the ends?) from the metal housing to that metal portion of the socket.
P.S. If your sockets are like mine, the metal piece wants to become dislodged from the socket...and it can fall inside of the instrument housing!! To resolve this, remove the clip and put a spot of good epoxy (2-part JBWeld is what I use) on the two installation prongs, then reattach to the socket. Allow to cure [at least] overnight before installing the socket back to the cluster. You won't have problems with those clips coming loose, again.
So, if you have installed the bulb in the socket and want to test it without installing the socket in the panel, you will need to run a jumper wire (alligator clips on the ends?) from the metal housing to that metal portion of the socket.
P.S. If your sockets are like mine, the metal piece wants to become dislodged from the socket...and it can fall inside of the instrument housing!! To resolve this, remove the clip and put a spot of good epoxy (2-part JBWeld is what I use) on the two installation prongs, then reattach to the socket. Allow to cure [at least] overnight before installing the socket back to the cluster. You won't have problems with those clips coming loose, again.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 657
Likes: 114
From: Picton NSW
If all are not working and you have checked the fuse it ok .
Then first suspect is the head light switch .
First
Make sure the dimmer is not turned down.
If the dimmer does not adjust the dash lights then the switch is the problem
Bfit
Last edited by bfit; Apr 19, 2018 at 04:18 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 561
Likes: 287
From: Louisville KY
I’m questing you have some or all dash lights not working.
If all are not working and you have checked the fuse it ok .
Then first suspect is the head light switch .
First
Make sure the dimmer is not turned down.
If the dimmer does not adjust the dash lights then the switch is the problem
Bfit
If all are not working and you have checked the fuse it ok .
Then first suspect is the head light switch .
First
Make sure the dimmer is not turned down.
If the dimmer does not adjust the dash lights then the switch is the problem
Bfit
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 657
Likes: 114
From: Picton NSW
Then when fitting the dash back in connect the light switch loom and the two earth`s. one on each of the speedo and tacho. Fit the indicator lights . high beam light . then turn on the lights . now as you fit each dash light, touch the metal part of the socket on the gauge to check it is working.
all the dash lights are on a common circuit. but check each as you fit them.
bfit
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I don't have a photo, but the sockets should be black plastic. The metal piece is circular with two pointed prongs which are pressed into the socket around where the bulb is inserted. When you remove the sockets from the metal housing, tip them and do it slowly; then remove carefully.
That metal ring is what retains the bulb when it is twisted into the socket. If it comes loose as you are removing it, the ring (and bulb) can fall into the instrument housing...and be difficult to dig out.
That socket assembly was only meant to be installed ONCE. (GM's warranty was done after 12 months for that incidental stuff. The bulbs would last longer than that...)
That metal ring is what retains the bulb when it is twisted into the socket. If it comes loose as you are removing it, the ring (and bulb) can fall into the instrument housing...and be difficult to dig out.
That socket assembly was only meant to be installed ONCE. (GM's warranty was done after 12 months for that incidental stuff. The bulbs would last longer than that...)
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 657
Likes: 114
From: Picton NSW
if you have some bulb holders that the steel part pulls out the replacement part is Dorman 85805. the bulb holder suits a BA9
In Australia we can get the part from a Holden 1967/ 76 to do the job.
you can fix the units that come apart. but don't just push the insert back in , first twist the two prongs about 30degs and work the two parts back together . I have done all my recently and that method worked well.
here is a photo of mine I re wired the dash with its own loom to make the dash easier to mount
Bfit
In Australia we can get the part from a Holden 1967/ 76 to do the job.
you can fix the units that come apart. but don't just push the insert back in , first twist the two prongs about 30degs and work the two parts back together . I have done all my recently and that method worked well.
here is a photo of mine I re wired the dash with its own loom to make the dash easier to mount
Bfit
Last edited by bfit; Apr 20, 2018 at 02:29 AM.