Bright Light in Dash Doesnt Work, Any Ideas?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: kingsport,tn,usa
Bright Light in Dash Doesnt Work, Any Ideas?
hey guys, i have a 79 l82, and when i flip on the brights, the light between the speedo and tach doesnt come on, it never has.
could this be as simple as a bulb? i had them out a while back, but it didnt seem blown, or is there a possible wire loose somewhere?
BTW brand new dimmer switch
thanks for the help guys
could this be as simple as a bulb? i had them out a while back, but it didnt seem blown, or is there a possible wire loose somewhere?
BTW brand new dimmer switch
thanks for the help guys
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 65,981
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Re: Bright Light in Dash Doesnt Work, Any Ideas? (KrAzYSnIpEr)
If all your other lights are working fine, then it is probably a bulb that is burnt out. You can remove the upper dash pad (be careful you don't break it in two); lower the steering column about 4 inches; and then lower the dash pad to get to the bulbs. Replace all of them while you are at it. I suggest that before you begin you get an AIM to review where the bulbs are located before tearing into your dash. Make sure none of the bulb holders fall away when you replace your dash.
[Modified by virtue4u, 5:25 AM 9/9/2001]
[Modified by virtue4u, 5:25 AM 9/9/2001]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 773
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Re: Bright Light in Dash Doesnt Work, Any Ideas? (KrAzYSnIpEr)
I've had this problem with the right turn signal indicator. At first I thought it was a lamp, but the lamp just decided to loosen itself in the socket. When you open it up to look at it, before changing the lamp, try giving it a little push to see if it's seated in the socket.
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Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
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Re: Bright Light in Dash Doesnt Work, Any Ideas? (KrAzYSnIpEr)
Sometimes a bulb can be blown and still look good. I had a turn signal light that was giving me some fits. Brand new bulb at that. I just put in a new bulb and everything was as good as new. I check the bulb with an ohmmeter and got the bulb to read good and read open also. Element was broken and would make up sometimes.
Also as someone has stated replace alll the bulbs while you are at it. It is worth the effort.
Also as someone has stated replace alll the bulbs while you are at it. It is worth the effort.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 605
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From: hamilton square NJ
Re: Bright Light in Dash Doesnt Work, Any Ideas? (Eddie 96)
I would try a new bulb becuase they are cheap and also check the terminals when you take it apart. See if there is some corriosion. This car is over 20yrs old mind you. That's why my gauges all starting going out. I took it apart and all the terminals were rusted solid. Never hurts to check though. After that look for some break in the wire.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 56
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From: Mentor Ohio
Re: Bright Light in Dash Doesnt Work, Any Ideas? (KrAzYSnIpEr)
Im not sure, that as routine maintenance, I'd replace any working lamps unless your are prepared to fully remove the lower dash pad. Typically what happens is the ground ring stays in the dash when you pull the socket loose as a result you get that bulb rolling around in the gages. The only way to get it out it to disassemble the gages, been there! I doubt that you'd be able to replace that socket without removing the dash pad as well.
You should be able to drop the steering wheel, tilt the lower dash pad forward and reach the BRIGHT lamp with out disturbing any thing else. Removing the dash pad is a real PITA.
You should be able to drop the steering wheel, tilt the lower dash pad forward and reach the BRIGHT lamp with out disturbing any thing else. Removing the dash pad is a real PITA.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
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Re: Bright Light in Dash Doesnt Work, Any Ideas? (rickales)
Rickales
This may be too late, you may well be "into" the dash by now. But, on a '79, you should be able to reach the Speedo/tach cluster bulbs easily enough, without major dash dis assembly. By removing the screws at the sidees of the cluster geass you can get to the attacheing screws for the whole unit. You'll need to get the small cover for the headlight override button off, and idealy remove the heater dust that runs under the instruments, in order to release the speedo cabe from the unit (hand up behind the dash, very carefully) and then with the Tilt column at its lowest you should be able to gentlypull the speed cluster foward. It has a multi plug. If you pull that off, you can ge the whole unit out and do all the bulbs,clean the faces etc. Just be very careful with all of it, as the plastic gets brittle over time and it is easy to crack it, or the "glass".
This may be too late, you may well be "into" the dash by now. But, on a '79, you should be able to reach the Speedo/tach cluster bulbs easily enough, without major dash dis assembly. By removing the screws at the sidees of the cluster geass you can get to the attacheing screws for the whole unit. You'll need to get the small cover for the headlight override button off, and idealy remove the heater dust that runs under the instruments, in order to release the speedo cabe from the unit (hand up behind the dash, very carefully) and then with the Tilt column at its lowest you should be able to gentlypull the speed cluster foward. It has a multi plug. If you pull that off, you can ge the whole unit out and do all the bulbs,clean the faces etc. Just be very careful with all of it, as the plastic gets brittle over time and it is easy to crack it, or the "glass".
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Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Bright Light in Dash Doesnt Work, Any Ideas? (KrAzYSnIpEr)
If you need to drop the steering column in order to get at the rear of your cluster, there is a paper at Terry Rudy's websight on the subject. Go to: http://www.corvettefaq.com and look under Suspension and Steering. Then look under Adjust Dimmer and/or Ignition Switch - Dropping Steering Column.
It may be of some help.
Jim
It may be of some help.
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: kingsport,tn,usa
Re: Bright Light in Dash Doesnt Work, Any Ideas? (Jim Shea)
i had it out earlier this summer becuase of electrical problems, i think i can snake my hand up in there and get the bulb, it actually wasnt that hard to get out, gettin everything to fit back in wasnt so fun though
