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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Dim dash lights

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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 03:17 PM
  #1  
82fordowner's Avatar
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Dim dash lights

My 82 f100 has very dim dash lights. I turn the light switch, it makes them dimmer but doesn't make them bright enough to see at night, could it be the light switch? All the bulbs are good! Thanks for any ideas to this problem.
 
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 03:30 PM
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This is one of the universal issues that all the 80-86 trucks suffer from.

Covering the bulbs in the dash cluster, are blue plastic domes that darken with age.
They can just be removed, giving you white light; or some owners remove the domes, then replace the white bulbs with blue or green.
 
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 03:56 PM
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Check your alternator and grounds
 
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 04:23 PM
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i ended up taking out the colored filters (they really dim it down)and just have white light
 
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 05:50 PM
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Dim dash lights

Thanks everyone for the advice, think I'll take apart and remove the covers. First I'll check the alt. again thanks!!!!
 
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 08:10 PM
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It's the covers. Pull the cluster(be careful with the automatic PRND21 indicator, don't break it) Take the speedo cable loose, pull it out, twist the bulbs out, and take a pencil and stick down in the hole where the bulb went and poke the lens out.
 
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 09:20 PM
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Dim dash lights

Thanks Dave f that's what I'll do.dont have to worry about the indicator I have a four speed Manuel
 
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 11:52 PM
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I have a similar problem.. in addition to the dimmer switch being really touchy. Will replacing the headlight/dimmer switch help resolve this?
 
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Old Apr 6, 2013 | 06:48 AM
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It will help the control being touchy, and it might help the cluster lights, you never know, but when the headlight switch is working 100%, your dash still won't be as bright as any other car or truck you are used to. Those covers really get dark.
 
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Old Apr 6, 2013 | 10:06 AM
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Anyone know the bulb #s off hand??
 
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Old Apr 6, 2013 | 12:19 PM
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Bulb number 194 or 194ll for my 82 f100 dash lights JayzDaddy
 
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Old Apr 6, 2013 | 01:20 PM
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Thanks man. Headin to town later. May grab some blues or purples (daughters favorite color) to swap to after the punch out.
 
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Old Apr 8, 2013 | 02:51 PM
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Some recommend getting the 194G bulb, when removing the filters. That way the instruments are still colored the same, but brighter due to the removal of the oxidized filters.
 
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Old Apr 8, 2013 | 04:02 PM
  #14  
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Dim dash lights

I removed the blue domes off the gauges, works alot nicer but I may try the 194 g bulbs to have some color back on the dash. Thanks all for all the ideas.
 
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