Why won't my '86 dash lights do anything?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 179
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From: Oxford AL
Why won't my '86 dash lights do anything?
Well, not exactly my '86 anymore, but my former car's dash will not respond to higher/lower settings on the headlight switch or change intensity in bright light. The new owner has replaced the headlight switch and has messed with it for a few days, but can't get it to work right. Anything else he needs to look for?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Re: Why won't my '86 dash lights do anything? (Cooter)
Either his light sensor is bad, or all 4 bulbs need replacing. The bulb # is 882.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Kentucky
Re: Why won't my '86 dash lights do anything? (Cooter)
If you are saying that the headlights are on, but don't get brighter with the flip of the switch the light green wire from the dimmer switch could be stuck in open loop.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: Oxford AL
Re: Why won't my '86 dash lights do anything? (hngacurv)
I appreciate the responses so far, but I was not specific enough- sorry about that.
The dash lights work, but they are always at the same brightness level. At night, open daylight, with the dimmer turned high or low, the cluster stays the same. The problem is that they are at a lower light level and in daylight, it is very hard to see the cluster, but at night, that same level is too much. I don't know what to do about this one and could really use some help.
The dash lights work, but they are always at the same brightness level. At night, open daylight, with the dimmer turned high or low, the cluster stays the same. The problem is that they are at a lower light level and in daylight, it is very hard to see the cluster, but at night, that same level is too much. I don't know what to do about this one and could really use some help.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Why won't my '86 dash lights do anything? (Cooter)
The circuit on the cluster circuit boards varies the dash lighting by changing the pulse width it supplies to the lamps from info from both the headlight dimmer control and the photocell. If the headlight dimmer has been replaced, then you still have the wiring from the dimmer to the cluster and the possibility that the photocell is defective or the IC in the cluster is dead. It sounds like the cluster needs to be looked at by a service center.
