Dash lights always dim
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 147
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From: Portland, OR
Dash lights always dim
I just got my 79 F250 streetable and inspected. Driving tonight for the first time at night, i found myself squinting to read the gauges. They're very dim, even with the dimmer turned all the way up.
I've heard that this is a common problem, what are the common causes? What's the best way to troubleshoot?
Thanks,
Mike
79 Supercab F250 4x4 460
74 Bronco Sport
I've heard that this is a common problem, what are the common causes? What's the best way to troubleshoot?
Thanks,
Mike
79 Supercab F250 4x4 460
74 Bronco Sport
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Ont. Can.
Been there too :
I am still driving an '78 F 150 4X4 that was purchased new and restored frame up in 2001 . I have experienced this dim dash problem 3 times in this trucks career . The first time they faded was in 1997 and I picked up a whole dash cluster from the wreckers which solved the problem for several years . I repeated this again 2 years ago with the same results , but could not say for sure if it is the printed card which is the problem or one of the 2 or 3 components that are attached .
I noticed however that the last cluster I picked up , and several others I checked out were developing another problem in which the plastic case of the cluster was starting to deteriorate and crumble to the point where the display lights that turn into the card would not stay in place .
I have not found a source where a newer cluster can be purchased so I will be searching for a couple that have not been exposed to much sunlight , as I suspect this is what causes them to crumble . Good Luck , and Keep Fording :
I noticed however that the last cluster I picked up , and several others I checked out were developing another problem in which the plastic case of the cluster was starting to deteriorate and crumble to the point where the display lights that turn into the card would not stay in place .
I have not found a source where a newer cluster can be purchased so I will be searching for a couple that have not been exposed to much sunlight , as I suspect this is what causes them to crumble . Good Luck , and Keep Fording :
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Check this link out: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...t=dash+lights+
There's an EXCELLENT tip in there for brightening the dash lights using chrome paint. Also, removing the colored lense can help but that's all covered in the thread I just linked.
There's an EXCELLENT tip in there for brightening the dash lights using chrome paint. Also, removing the colored lense can help but that's all covered in the thread I just linked.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
The most common cause of this is age. Ford installed a green tinted plastic dome over the bulbs to give a green glow. With age, this dome gets clouded thus allowing less light through. I pulled my guage cluster out, pulled the back off and removed the domes. Now I have bright white guages that are very easy to read. Give it a try, definitely a big improvement.
Marty
Marty
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
The back of the gage cluster can be pulled out of many years trucks and vans.
You can get new bulb covers at some auto parts stores.
Clean the contact points on the circuit board for the lights, wires, gages, and voltage regulator. Coat the contact points with silicone dielectric grease in order to reduce corrosion and oxidation problems. Clean the bulb sockets or buy new ones which are available at many auto parts stores. Coat the socket contacts also. If cleaning the circuit board does not solve the problem try a new headlight switch. Remember to use silicone on the switch connector also. Sometimes the crimp joints in the wiring go bad also.
You can get new bulb covers at some auto parts stores.
Clean the contact points on the circuit board for the lights, wires, gages, and voltage regulator. Coat the contact points with silicone dielectric grease in order to reduce corrosion and oxidation problems. Clean the bulb sockets or buy new ones which are available at many auto parts stores. Coat the socket contacts also. If cleaning the circuit board does not solve the problem try a new headlight switch. Remember to use silicone on the switch connector also. Sometimes the crimp joints in the wiring go bad also.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
The flex circuits are a dime a dozen in salvage yards. If you need to buy one check out the stores that support this free tech site.
You can find links to the sponsors in my sig, my Club FTE website, and also at the top of the forum pages.
You can find links to the sponsors in my sig, my Club FTE website, and also at the top of the forum pages.
