Notices
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

cluster lighting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 2, 2011 | 10:32 AM
  #1  
murph_murphy's Avatar
murph_murphy
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
cluster lighting

hey guys i have a problem i'm hoping you guys can help me out with. so last night i'm looking at my batt. and fuel gauge and all those and i make a turn not even noticing that my lights went out on the cluster. so i get home and start playing with the light **** and noticed that they come back on when i turn the light/dimmer **** all the way to the left right on the verge of turning on the lights on the inside(the head lamp and the other interior lights) i'm gonna go check it out in the day to see if it is some wiring or anything simple but any help would be awesome thanks.
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2011 | 10:20 PM
  #2  
greystreak92's Avatar
greystreak92
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
Club FTE Gold Member
The dimmer in the main light switch is failing... best bet is to just replace the main light switch. Oh you can try cleaning the dimmer coil in the switch but given the age (assuming it is original 1992 equipment) you are probably better off just replacing the whole switch assembly. The coil has most likely broken or worn so thin at some point along its length that the connection is no longer being made when the **** is dialed down. The dimming is achieved by a mechanical brush that slides along the coil and over time the coil just wears thin and the continuity is broken.
 
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2011 | 12:57 PM
  #3  
murph_murphy's Avatar
murph_murphy
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
yes it is the original equipment, alright thanks a lot i will see if i can get that by today or tomorrow and throw that in. but if i cant get that in soon will it affect anything else if i don't replace it. or will it ruin any other wires or connections or anything to that affect? thanks
 
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2011 | 10:23 PM
  #4  
murph_murphy's Avatar
murph_murphy
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
so i put the new head light switch in and it works, thanks for the help. although after i installed it i didnt really drive at all and check so bout 6ish i went down to a local store with just one click on the lights(the running lights) and about 10 min i started seeing smoke come up from a vent right above the light switch i shut the lights off and the smoke was gone so did i not put the connector in correctly or what could it be. help please haha thanks
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2011 | 12:26 AM
  #5  
greystreak92's Avatar
greystreak92
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
Club FTE Gold Member
I would suggest removing the new switch again and have a look at the connector in the harness. It could be that the terminals overheated at sometime during the lifespan of the previous headlight switch and the terminals in the harness connector are now loose causing arcing between them and the terminals in the new switch.
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2011 | 08:09 PM
  #6  
murph_murphy's Avatar
murph_murphy
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
alright im pretty sure that is the case because the wires were loose so what would be the easiest and quickest fix to that thanks
 
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2011 | 07:46 PM
  #7  
Edgethis's Avatar
Edgethis
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 704
From: Tobyhanma, PA
From the sounds of it easiest and quickest don't seem to be the way to handle that issue. Im no electrical expert but if all the wires are there just slipping around in the connector maybe get some liquid electrical tape and put around the back of the connector. That should hold wire in place, but if they're arcing some other way im not sure
 
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2011 | 07:54 PM
  #8  
murph_murphy's Avatar
murph_murphy
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
alright yea by quickest and easiest i meant to to the point were i didn't have to unwire all the wires and track everyone down then replace them just something that i can unhook it and do what ya said with the liquid tape thats more up my alley haha(not exactly an electrical guy myself) yea it wont happen till tomorrow but hey thanks for the tip
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 5, 2011 | 09:35 PM
  #9  
murph_murphy's Avatar
murph_murphy
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
alright maybe it will happen tonight i just ran over to kragen and picked some liquid tape up and have put 3 coats on so far im gonna let it sit for a while probably over night but hopefully it will work
 
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2011 | 11:05 PM
  #10  
Edgethis's Avatar
Edgethis
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 704
From: Tobyhanma, PA
I got some of that liquid tape it it dried real nice and hard. So it should hold the wires in place.
 
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2011 | 06:58 PM
  #11  
murph_murphy's Avatar
murph_murphy
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
yea when it dries it looks a lot like actual electrical tape and it does hold the wires tight but quick question how hot is the ceramic wheel with the spring inside of it supposed to get
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:53 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE