Dash (Gauges) lighting - Regulator issue?
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 534
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From: North Texas
Dash (Gauges) lighting - Regulator issue?
I was having some issues with the dash gauge lights not working/sporadically working etc. so I decided to swap the bulbs out for LEDs (since I had replaced the regular bulbs just a few years ago). Found some online that show to be compatible with the dent gauges.
(note: I have the idiot light version for Oil and Alt)
I cleaned up the connectors and swapped in LED bulbs and here is where it got interesting.
The gauge lights on the left side of the dash look great (Seat Belt/OIL/Fuel/Backlight on both sides/Left and Right turn signals) BUT the ALT/High Beam/Brake/Temp lights on the right side don't work.
(*actually the ALT light was faintly lit).
1. I checked connectors/bulbs - swapped bulbs with some working ones from the left side, swapped connectors with working ones from left side - NO change
2. I put a regular bulb in the connectors and they WORKED.
3. I swapped in a new circuit board to see if that was the culprit, Nope.
4. So kinda rules out the circuit board/connectors/bulbs, right?
Could the 12v-6V widget be the culprit, any other ideas?
(note: I have the idiot light version for Oil and Alt)
I cleaned up the connectors and swapped in LED bulbs and here is where it got interesting.
The gauge lights on the left side of the dash look great (Seat Belt/OIL/Fuel/Backlight on both sides/Left and Right turn signals) BUT the ALT/High Beam/Brake/Temp lights on the right side don't work.
(*actually the ALT light was faintly lit).
1. I checked connectors/bulbs - swapped bulbs with some working ones from the left side, swapped connectors with working ones from left side - NO change
2. I put a regular bulb in the connectors and they WORKED.
3. I swapped in a new circuit board to see if that was the culprit, Nope.
4. So kinda rules out the circuit board/connectors/bulbs, right?
Could the 12v-6V widget be the culprit, any other ideas?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,035
Likes: 894
From: East Central Ia
Sporadically working dash illumination is probably a dimmer rheostat. You can also check grounds. Did you use a led in the alternator lamp? Never thought about how that may or may not work. Believe it has a resistor running parallel to the bulb.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 340
From: Wildwood Pa
The instrument voltage regulator, IVR, powers the gauges. It does not affect the lights.
If regular bulbs work in all the locations the LED's do not, I will go with john89, polarity is wrong on the bulbs. Pop the socket out, spin it 180 degrees, reinstall, test.
If regular bulbs work in all the locations the LED's do not, I will go with john89, polarity is wrong on the bulbs. Pop the socket out, spin it 180 degrees, reinstall, test.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 534
Likes: 27
From: North Texas
I did the 180 on the bulbs, then a 180 on the socket (and another 180 on the bulb), switched sockets with known working ones with LED - no luck.
I'll regular bulb that side of the dash for now. May swap it all out for one of those new retro panels (Classic Instruments or a Dakota) next time its a pain - plus I'd like to get an Oil and Alt gauge rather than the dummy lights.
I'll regular bulb that side of the dash for now. May swap it all out for one of those new retro panels (Classic Instruments or a Dakota) next time its a pain - plus I'd like to get an Oil and Alt gauge rather than the dummy lights.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
I did the 180 on the bulbs, then a 180 on the socket (and another 180 on the bulb), switched sockets with known working ones with LED - no luck.
I'll regular bulb that side of the dash for now. May swap it all out for one of those new retro panels (Classic Instruments or a Dakota) next time its a pain.
Plus...I'd like to get an Oil and Alt gauge rather than the dummy lights.
I'll regular bulb that side of the dash for now. May swap it all out for one of those new retro panels (Classic Instruments or a Dakota) next time its a pain.
Plus...I'd like to get an Oil and Alt gauge rather than the dummy lights.
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