Dash Lights not working

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Oct 21, 2011 | 12:03 AM

jjurva

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Aug 2011

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Dash Lights not working

1976 f20 I checked all the fuses in the fuse panel and they were all good. Why aren't my dash lights working?

Oct 21, 2011 | 06:02 AM

i-w

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 1,572

Likes: 37

From: Northern Virginia.

have you replaced any bulbs or tested the bulbs themself?

Oct 21, 2011 | 07:25 AM

nlareau

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Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 321

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From: Atlanta

Here's a shot in the dark (pun intended). My cluster was oxidized. Pull it and look at the copper on the printed circuit. Dark brown isn't real good. Get light sandpaper and LIGHTLY sand the contact until the copper brightens up a little. It doesn't need to be shiny, just clean. then look at the tabs on the bulb sockets. Clean them and bend them a little to make firm contact.

Oct 22, 2011 | 07:55 AM

fmc400

MSEE

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 10,386

Likes: 35

From: Austin, TX

In addition to the excellent advice posted above, the headlight switch can also be suspect. The dash lights are powered through a rheostat in the headlight switch; if this builds up corrosion (which is common), the current to the dash lights can get cut off. Save this step for last.

Oct 22, 2011 | 08:24 AM

MiddleNameMUD

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2010

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From: Residing in the shwa. On.

If your gear select light on the column and the lights for your temp. Control work, it won't be the switch...

Oct 22, 2011 | 10:40 AM

john81chevy

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Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 125

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no lights

I have a 1973 f100 which turned out to be the switch. I had a couple of old ones around and all gave me headlights, one with dash lights but no dome, and the other gave me a dome light but nothing in the dash. I tried yet another old switch I had and everything worked.