Dim Dash lights
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,227
Likes: 7,823
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
incandescent Bulbs grow dim with age. I found out the factory lighting bulbs in the speedo and tach are rated at 3.8W. I found suitable replacement bulbs in my local auto parts store rated at 4W. Dimming function works as it should. (Unlike expensive LED'S) Dash is so bright I have to turn it down.
Simple answer.
New bulbs.
Simple answer.
New bulbs.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,948
Likes: 4,506
From: Virginia
Yes, you need to clean the inside of the incandescent bulb to brighten it, which is impossible. However, the claim that LEDs cannot be dimmed is false.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/vehicle
$3- each for dimmable, warm LEDs. Just check the descriptions.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/vehicle
$3- each for dimmable, warm LEDs. Just check the descriptions.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Just to be 100% sure, you made sure to raise the dimmer switch?
Aside from that - have you ensured the dimmer switch is producing variable voltage and is reaching the expect 12-14V when at full power?
Aside from that - have you ensured the dimmer switch is producing variable voltage and is reaching the expect 12-14V when at full power?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,741
Likes: 1,383
HYPR
Since you axe'd....here is how I fixed my dim dash lamps: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-and-tach.html
Since you axe'd....here is how I fixed my dim dash lamps: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-and-tach.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,025
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
I replaced my bulbs with leds replacements from ebay back in 2012 and they all still work fine. dash is much brighter and I do have limited brightness control even though they are not dimmable leds per say. If they are too bright it messes up my night vision.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 28
From: Spring, Texas
Rerplaced my bulbs with LEDs when I was changing my stereo and also working on the console gauges. Much whiter light and just the right brightness. I intentionally chose non-dimmable, but you can buy dimmable LEDs.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 951
From: Corpus Christi, TX
I put in a cluster full of these on my 66.
https://www.ledlight.com/ba9s_2_5_wa...c_led_bulb.asp
They dim, but the dimming works a lot better if you keep a couple of incandescent in your lighting, maybe on the small gauges.
I put these in my clock.
They dim perfectly without any other changes to the bulbs. They are incredibly bright I think Amazon sells these in a 10 pack for $40. They have em in warm white as well as a couple of colors
https://www.ledlight.com/ba9s_2_5_wa...c_led_bulb.asp
They dim, but the dimming works a lot better if you keep a couple of incandescent in your lighting, maybe on the small gauges.
I put these in my clock.
They dim perfectly without any other changes to the bulbs. They are incredibly bright I think Amazon sells these in a 10 pack for $40. They have em in warm white as well as a couple of colors
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 118
Likes: 88
From: Santa Clarita, CA
Yes, you need to clean the inside of the incandescent bulb to brighten it, which is impossible. However, the claim that LEDs cannot be dimmed is false.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/vehicle
$3- each for dimmable, warm LEDs. Just check the descriptions.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/vehicle
$3- each for dimmable, warm LEDs. Just check the descriptions.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,347
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
YOu never mentioned of rotating the headlight switch **** dimmed the bulbs or made them brighter
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 118
Likes: 88
From: Santa Clarita, CA
Yep, that was kinda a no brainer issue. I ran into the same problem on my '56 210 back in the day when building it 25 years ago. Similar problem, the dash lights would be either on or off and no variable. On that car since I was changing the gauges to VDOs the light bulbs were a mute point plus the gauges were Black print on a White face making them far easier to read. Additionally it is a Hardtop so no glare issue during the day or dusk to deal with. I know of one owner of a C3 who replaced all his gauges with Autometer gauges Black print on White face however I would like to maintain the stock look so I am staying with the stock gauges.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,347
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
There is a small tin strap that grounds the switch to the speedometer and tachometer so you do have multiple spots that you could be losing or just have a very weak ground and its just back feeding through something else.
Im sure you thought of it but when you take off the dash i would verify all the grounds and ground wires
Im sure you thought of it but when you take off the dash i would verify all the grounds and ground wires
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 118
Likes: 88
From: Santa Clarita, CA
There is a small tin strap that grounds the switch to the speedometer and tachometer so you do have multiple spots that you could be losing or just have a very weak ground and its just back feeding through something else.
Im sure you thought of it but when you take off the dash i would verify all the grounds and ground wires
Im sure you thought of it but when you take off the dash i would verify all the grounds and ground wires