Dash Lights Went Out
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 296
Likes: 21
From: Ohio
Dash Lights Went Out
I have a 78 F150 4x4. I cannot get my dash lights to come on. The Heater control lights come on and also dim with the switch. I checked all the bulbs they are good. Fuse is good. What wire going into the dash provides power for the dash lights?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 781
Likes: 18
From: East Texas
Probably going to need to remove the cluster. Don't be surprised if the cluster backing plate disintegrates (assuming it is the original backing plate). The cluster lights not working on my 77 were the indicator that the cluster back was beginning to fall apart.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Like firstonraceday said, you're more than likely going to have to remove the instrument cluster. The particular wire you're looking for is light blue with red trace.
If the gauges are working, then the cluster's ground should be okay. I would look at the cluster's harness plug and check/clean the contacts.
But, like mentioned earlier, be careful on removing the cluster. The originals tend to fall apart.
If the gauges are working, then the cluster's ground should be okay. I would look at the cluster's harness plug and check/clean the contacts.
But, like mentioned earlier, be careful on removing the cluster. The originals tend to fall apart.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 5,824
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Ah did you try to rotate the head light **** and turn the lights brightness up? You do know you can adjust the brightness by turning the headlight switch, right?
Memory do not fail me now. Dim/off is left (counterclockwise), right (clockwise) is bright then the click to turn on the dome light with the doors closed.
Or that might be backwards.
Wiring diagram, scroll a bit. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14696846
Dash bezel and instrument cluster removal. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14880899
Cluster remove 3 top screws, make sure oyu have some speedo cable slack, carefully pull the cluster out. hand squeeze the big elec connector. And hand squeeze the speedo cable white clip and pull.
Memory do not fail me now. Dim/off is left (counterclockwise), right (clockwise) is bright then the click to turn on the dome light with the doors closed.
Or that might be backwards.
Wiring diagram, scroll a bit. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14696846
Dash bezel and instrument cluster removal. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14880899
Cluster remove 3 top screws, make sure oyu have some speedo cable slack, carefully pull the cluster out. hand squeeze the big elec connector. And hand squeeze the speedo cable white clip and pull.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 296
Likes: 21
From: Ohio
The dimmer works. The light switch works. i can dim the climate control light and the tach I installed. I pulled the cluster and the back is deteriorating. I get power coming from the blue/red wire. I just have no dash lights. What other wires might I check. Seat belt light comes on on start up. Left signal will blink if I hold the lever up. What else do I need to look at? Thanks.
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
The dimmer works. The light switch works. i can dim the climate control light and the tach I installed. I pulled the cluster and the back is deteriorating. I get power coming from the blue/red wire. I just have no dash lights. What other wires might I check. Seat belt light comes on on start up. Left signal will blink if I hold the lever up. What else do I need to look at? Thanks.
Also check the copper track that goes from the plug to the two cluster lights, look for any breaks or thin spots, clean the connections where the bulb socket plugs into the printed circuit.
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 296
Likes: 21
From: Ohio
Alrighty I believe I have figured this out. My dash lights were not lighting due to the dash instrument cluster crumbling. I had 1 light that the hole it fits in was pretty much opened up to where the light would no longer lock into it. I could not get a reading on the ends of the copper trace till I pushed down on this 1 light socket. I ended up using tape to hold the light socket against the PCB and now they work. Guess I need to buy a new instrument cluster. Thanks for every ones input.
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brandonconner
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Jul 25, 2006 10:45 PM