82 collectors edition
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 373
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From: Chipley Florida
82 collectors edition
I just bought a 1982 corvette collectors edition with 38,836 mile on it. I noticed that the cockpit gages are not very bright with the dimmer switch turned up. ALL THE BULBS SEEM TO BE ON. I was wondering if I need a new dimmer switch? any advice would be helpful: cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Possibly, but it seems unlikely. The dimmer is a rheostat. I would try twisting the **** back and worth a few times and see if it doesn't get better. There may be some corrosion on the dimmer wire coil.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
Originally Posted by warrior2291
I just bought a 1982 corvette collectors edition with 38,836 mile on it. I noticed that the cockpit gages are not very bright with the dimmer switch turned up. ALL THE BULBS SEEM TO BE ON. I was wondering if I need a new dimmer switch? any advice would be helpful: cheers:
IF the intensity varies (as you turn the switch) its working ...
Grab a trail membership on the C3 Registry and go to their electrical
forum and ask some questions... (www.C3VR.com)
Congrads on the 82.... and Welcome to the Corvette Forum
Bob G.
64 72 & 98 Ragtops
76 & 79 Coupes...
btw my 72 has dash light problems (or lack of any of) since last weekend..no time to play with them yet however..except top chjeck the fuse.. l
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Chipley Florida
Brighterlights needed
I did what you have recommend, i have turned the headlight **** back and forth a least a dozen times. I have it turned all the way up and the display lights all of them are not very bright.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
I would say its the dimmer. There is coil in there and a rod that slides across it as you turn it. The coil burns out. Its sounds like yours has started to burn our (thin). Once it burns our completely your lights will not dim at all. Kind of hard to explain. The only way to be sure is to take the switch out and examine it.
On the off chance make sure the fuse is the correct size.
Taking it out is a bit tricky. Drop the lower dash pad. Lie on your back and look up. There is a pin that holds the shaft in. You need to depress the pin and pull the shaft out. Remover the outer trim piece on the switch. it should drop down. I loosened the left side of the dash and the guage cluster to make it easier...you can see the pin by gentle pulling the dash forward.
Jim
On the off chance make sure the fuse is the correct size.
Taking it out is a bit tricky. Drop the lower dash pad. Lie on your back and look up. There is a pin that holds the shaft in. You need to depress the pin and pull the shaft out. Remover the outer trim piece on the switch. it should drop down. I loosened the left side of the dash and the guage cluster to make it easier...you can see the pin by gentle pulling the dash forward.
Jim
