C3 Dash lights
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Calgary AB
C3 Dash lights
1978 with no gauge lights. I've read all the threads of other owner's problems but I'm stumped. Here's where I'm at:
- Installed a new switch and dash is currently disassembled
- Using a test light on the speedo/tach harness it lights up connected to the ground and any of the power leads
- With the harness plugged into the gauge panel and the test light connected to the harness ground and the right bulb tab the test light is lit (it does not light up on the left side bulb tab)
- I've tested this with new bulbs
- None of the gauge bulbs will light up
Is this a faulty circuit board?
Also note that the console gauge cluster does not light up
- interior light, warning lights, headlights, high beam and signal indicator lights all work fine
- Installed a new switch and dash is currently disassembled
- Using a test light on the speedo/tach harness it lights up connected to the ground and any of the power leads
- With the harness plugged into the gauge panel and the test light connected to the harness ground and the right bulb tab the test light is lit (it does not light up on the left side bulb tab)
- I've tested this with new bulbs
- None of the gauge bulbs will light up
Is this a faulty circuit board?
Also note that the console gauge cluster does not light up
- interior light, warning lights, headlights, high beam and signal indicator lights all work fine
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 306
Likes: 8
From: Cypress (Houston) TX
Me TOO!!
It sounds like my problem to a tee!!?()*&. I had the dash out of my 1968 coupe. While out I checked every light using the jumper to the battery ground while the parking lights were on (body ground was not installed). Now the dash is re-installed and before I installed the gauge cluster I attempted to recheck the dash lights. Mine sounds exactly like yours, the bulbs with their individual ground work, the ones that depend on the the group ground-->nothing. I have jumped off the ground lug and the metal case on the tach to the battery ground terminal, verified the fuse was good and verified the body ground was connected to the body (left side).
I checked the fuse this morning and now I'm stumped!! Let me know if you get your fixed. I'll do the same for you. Hugh
I checked the fuse this morning and now I'm stumped!! Let me know if you get your fixed. I'll do the same for you. Hugh
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake Virginia
the problem could be as simple as the sockets the bulbs plug into, I just redid my gauges with LED's and found that almost all of the sockets did not make good contact with the bulb wires. you can try compressing the metal "clamps" inside the sockets and see if they make better contact with the bulb wires, you can also bend the bulb wires out away from the base of the bulb a bit and see if that helps.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Calgary AB
Hey Hugh, Ended up replacing the cluster circuit board and voila, dash lights.
Did a quick test to isolate the problem after the usual fuse, ground checks. Put the test light on the cluster connector ground and dash light lead with the switch on and the test light lit up fine.
Connected the cluster directly to the battery, negative to negative tab and positive to the dash light cluster positive tab and no lights.
Inspected the old circuit board and there were no visible breaks. Give that test a try.
Did a quick test to isolate the problem after the usual fuse, ground checks. Put the test light on the cluster connector ground and dash light lead with the switch on and the test light lit up fine.
Connected the cluster directly to the battery, negative to negative tab and positive to the dash light cluster positive tab and no lights.
Inspected the old circuit board and there were no visible breaks. Give that test a try.
