'79 Dash Light Problems
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,339
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From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
'79 Dash Light Problems
The lights in my gauge pod are not working correctly. When I turn the headlights on, I get light everywhere except for the cluster on the right (engine temp and volts). The right turn signal indicator light stays constantly on while the headlights are on, but still flashes when the turn signal is turned on. Meanwhile, the left side turn signal indicator light flashes when the headlights are off, but doesn't flash when the lights are on.
Thanks
Jameson
Thanks
Jameson
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
1) The missing dash light on the right side sounds like a bad bulb, loose bulb, or damaged socket (there are at least a couple bulbs that light the whole panel).
2) The issue with the right turn signal indicator light coming on with the headlights on points to a bad turn signal socket at the front or back, on the right side. This cannot be verified visually; you'd have to do a continuity check with a multimeter. But this is a common symptom of the ground connection inside the socket starting to corrode. It happens because the parking light filament is looking for a ground through the panel; it's most likely the front socket that's bad as opposed to the rear.
3) The issue with the left indicator is an odd one, but sounds like a ground issue; again most likely because of a bad socket.
2) The issue with the right turn signal indicator light coming on with the headlights on points to a bad turn signal socket at the front or back, on the right side. This cannot be verified visually; you'd have to do a continuity check with a multimeter. But this is a common symptom of the ground connection inside the socket starting to corrode. It happens because the parking light filament is looking for a ground through the panel; it's most likely the front socket that's bad as opposed to the rear.
3) The issue with the left indicator is an odd one, but sounds like a ground issue; again most likely because of a bad socket.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,339
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From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
I started to pull the gauge cluster, but I couldn't get it out far enough to get a look at the back because of the speedo cable. How does the cable detach from the speedometer?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Lynchburg, VA
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Palmyra
mine didnt start having issues till I swapped in the 100 mph gauge cluster. I dont know if that has anything to do with my problem but figured I'd throw that out their. and i know my grounds are good all the way around my truck. took care of that problem when I swapped on the 78 cab and had to change half the wire harness for the truck
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 32
From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
I pulled the cluster off, and cleaned the connections. I got another bulb for the side that was missing one. Put it all back together, and now the only light that works is the right side turn signal indicator that is still constantly on. Other lights that previously worked (temp adjust, trans selector on the steering coloumn), now do not work
ideas?
Jameson
ideas?
Jameson
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MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Sounds like the fuse to the dash panel lights is blown, or the dimmer is all the way off.
The turn signal issue is explained in my first post.
The turn signal issue is explained in my first post.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
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Likes: 32
From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
So turns out the fuse was blown, so then the lights started working. I then pulled the front passenger turn signal/driving light, found the ground tab was missing. Went back to where one of the p.o's spliced in wires, and bypassed the damaged ground with a piece of wire. Going to buy a couple more sockets from lmc truck soon. Thanks for the help
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