Dash lights not working

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 18, 2014 | 01:07 AM

Zachthemoo2

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 64

Likes: 0

From: Gig harbor

Dash lights not working

I have a 1977 f250 and ever since I got it the back lights for the dash never worked. All of my headlights work including dimmer switch. The turn signal indicators on the dash work but the back lights won't. I've pulled the dash out once before to change the bulbs, but it made no difference. I was wondering if replacing the headlight switch would solve the problem or not.

Sep 18, 2014 | 08:09 AM

mikeo0o0o0

Hotshot

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 14,333

Likes: 247

From: Stanley, VA

Try rotating the switch's **** to see if the dash lights are turned off.

Sep 18, 2014 | 08:19 AM

77&79F250

Moderator & parts slinger

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 50,095

Likes: 5,756

From: S/W Missouri, Polk county

Did you rotate the head light switch counter clockwise to the spot right before you lock the dome light on, to try and turn up the brightness?

If yes and since you have already replaced the bulbs, I would say pull the headlight switch and clean up the spring coil looking rheostat and the arm that contacts it.

If you do not want to try that, its a simple pull and replace. FYI that contact sheet on the rear of the cluster is notorious for being a problematic cause of faulty dash lights.

I am sure you know about the button on the headlight switch you push to get the **** and shaft out as one piece?

Did you ck the fuse?

Thanks mikeo0o0o0 for the pic

Attached Images

Sep 18, 2014 | 10:40 AM

Zachthemoo2

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 64

Likes: 0

From: Gig harbor

I forgot to mention that I have rotated the **** and the backlights on that side of the console work just fine( the ones where it says lights and wipers) but does nothing to the actual dash lights so I think I will pull it out and clean the living hell out of it tonight and see if that works, thanks for all the help

Sep 18, 2014 | 10:48 AM

mikeo0o0o0

Hotshot

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 14,333

Likes: 247

From: Stanley, VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zachthemoo2

If the dash lights for the wipers and lights then the switch is okay. Those lights are on the same circuit as the instrument backlighting. It also means the fuse is okay.
The first thing I would do is make sure the wiring harness plug is fully seated and latched in the back of the cluster. After that I would pull the cluster and look very closely at the printed circuit, looking for a break or crack in the copper traces.
Just so you know, the color for the wiring for the lighting is blue w/ a red trace.

Sep 18, 2014 | 11:00 AM

77&79F250

Moderator & parts slinger

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 50,095

Likes: 5,756

From: S/W Missouri, Polk county

Also clean the contact rows on the printed circuit board where the main harness connects. A little bit of light weight sand paper or a eraser on a pencil end works great.

Attached Images