dash light question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 171
Likes: 22
From: Kentucky
dash light question
New gauge cluster circuit, all bulbs are good. No lights when I directly connect positive and negative tabs on the circuit. I was able to get lights to come on by grounding directly to a screw on back of cluster and alligator clip from positive battery to positive tab on the circuit. I suspect the circuit ground is not making contact with the housing but don't know where that would be. Any others had this issue all advice appreciated. Good news is the ground and power inside the plug in the car is good. Just need to figure out the issue with circuit board. Thanks in advance.
I failed to mention previously that this is a 1980.
I failed to mention previously that this is a 1980.
Last edited by nearflack; Feb 7, 2020 at 02:20 PM. Reason: additional info
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 78
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From: Hawai'i, Island of Kaua'i
Simple sanity check before you try running down wires, have you checked the headlight switch to see if the dimmer control is turned all they way down. I believe turning it all the way clockwise will turn the lights to full brightness. If you replaced with LED then they'll need to be at a higher power level to turn on, even halfway dim doesn't provide enough.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 171
Likes: 22
From: Kentucky
THAnks for the so suggestion that was first thing I tried. Figured out it was a bad ground. Cleaned all metal connections got things working. Replacing the clock, putting on new tach and speedo circuit then putting it all backbeats together!
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BTW, turn the headlight switch counter clockwise for full intensity...
Last edited by Daveinspain; Feb 11, 2020 at 03:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 171
Likes: 22
From: Kentucky
Yeah thanks. That’s the first thing I found wrong. I have an 80 with blade fuses located in upper left corner of fuse box and a bitch to get too. Found multiple bad bulbs and sockets. While replacing I decided to change both printed circuits (speed/tach and gauge cluster). Cleaned up some rust spots and everything seems to be working. Added bonus power antenna now works too. Now just to get all those parts back in the dash. Hopefully this afternoon. Thanks for your reply.
