Dash illumination on 81
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Madison AL
Dash illumination on 81
How bright are the dash/gauge lights on the 80-82 models?
My lights don't really provide illumination until after sunset. On an overcast day or at dusk, the dash illumination is not noticable. It is for all of the gauges in both the center and over the steering column panels. If it should be bright at these times, I guess maybe the ground has corrosion raising the resistance.
Where is this ground termination made?
My lights don't really provide illumination until after sunset. On an overcast day or at dusk, the dash illumination is not noticable. It is for all of the gauges in both the center and over the steering column panels. If it should be bright at these times, I guess maybe the ground has corrosion raising the resistance.
Where is this ground termination made?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Re: Dash illumination on 81 (Widgett)
I can't see my lights until its dark out. One thing I did to help my illumination was replace all the bulbs and paint the inside of the cluster gloss white versus the baby blue from the factory. The gloss white helps reflect the bulbs inside the cluster which does help a little in illumination. I also cleaned all my electrical connections as there was lots of corrosion.
Jim
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 0
From: toledo oh
Re: Dash illumination on 81 (Widgett)
i think i shorted mine out. but when they worked, they were not very bright until it was really dark out.
Tell the truth, you don't need them. Listen to the engine, it will tell you how fast you are going. i know i know, guages. :D
Tell the truth, you don't need them. Listen to the engine, it will tell you how fast you are going. i know i know, guages. :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,161
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
Re: Dash illumination on 81 (Widgett)
I have an 82 CE and they are not too bad. If I turn the switch all the way up, during sunset, I can see them fine. maybe they are just dingy from being old. Might be time to take them out and clean/replace as necessary.
The ground on my 82 is on drivers side interior kick panel. Screws into the body there
[Modified by 82dukman, 4:22 PM 10/31/2002]
The ground on my 82 is on drivers side interior kick panel. Screws into the body there
[Modified by 82dukman, 4:22 PM 10/31/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 0
From: GA
Re: Dash illumination on 81 (Widgett)
I had the same problem. When I took everything out to replace my dash I replaced all the bulbs with the 192 bulb(Ithink thats it anyway) those are the ones that were in the check engine light areas and light up just a little bit brighter than the normal ones. Anyway when I did it I went for a little different effect and got the blue ones so although they aren't super bright they work fine and make everything blue. I didn't have mine long before I tore into it so I can't really say much about the diiference but my guess is that they never were that bright from the start. I know for a fact I need to check ALL my grounds on mine as that is something I haven't done. If you find the cure post it Thanx
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 448
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Re: Dash illumination on 81 (Widgett)
I have the same effect/problem on my '78. Hadthe dash out a few years ago to replace a bulb, and went round and did those that were looking old (ie getting a bit blackened) It made a little difference, but I have to say that they are still not as bright as our "regular" cars. I don't mind after dark, as I don't go for bright gauge lights, but sometimes it would be handy to see the trip meter for instance, in dusk conditions.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Re: Dash illumination on 81 (Stephen Irons)
As Stephen (Hi) said. Mine were quite dim, even at max illumination. I had the cluster apart to change the speedo (which is when I found out that I didn't need to take it all apart to change the speedo :lol: ) & found a couple of dead bulbs & one that wasn't working due to dirty contacts. Fixing all that improved it, but I still can't read the trip meter at night unless I get my head underneath the steering wheel (not recommended at high speed ;) ). On a different car I once changed all the bulbs to higher wattage versions which lit the dash up brilliantly.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Racer
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Garner NC
Re: Dash illumination on 81 (UKPaul)
I just replaced my headlight switch and all the bulbs and it made a hugh difference. The pot on the headlight switch was burnt thru near the "high" side so they would only get so much, so I'd say to check, clean, replace the headlight switch, that was my biggest problem, did all the blubs while I was in there.
