Cluster lighting problems
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Joined: Jun 2004
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Cluster lighting problems
Well i go from one problem to another. first the far right display light is not working. but the rest are. and the steering colume display light is also no working. Any idea's.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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What year of truck ?
Some of the cluster lighting bulbs can be changed without removing the cluster.
The one on the right side of the cluster is one of them.
You can pull the bulb holder for the gear selector out the bottom from the steering column cowl.
The bulb for the cluster is a #194
The bulb for the gear selector is a round bayonet bulb #161
If you want to remove the cluster completely you will find the directions in a thread in this forum *dash lights*.
Some of the cluster lighting bulbs can be changed without removing the cluster.
The one on the right side of the cluster is one of them.
You can pull the bulb holder for the gear selector out the bottom from the steering column cowl.
The bulb for the cluster is a #194
The bulb for the gear selector is a round bayonet bulb #161
If you want to remove the cluster completely you will find the directions in a thread in this forum *dash lights*.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
Originally Posted by ZUMMAK1
first the far right display light is not working.
When I removed the blinker switch from my '78 parts truck, I noticed that the steering wheel must be removed to replace the gear selector bulb. Removing the wheel is easy, but you need a special steering wheel puller, which can be bought or rented from a parts store.
Marty
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 268
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From: North Texas
I'd like to revive this thread, since I've got this same problem, in a '78 (fullsize of course) Bronco:
None of my gauge cluster lights work reliably; having pulled the cluster, I can see that the problem is that the plastic is well on its way to biodegrading, and the socket no longer keeps the bulb in contact with that little printed circuit business.
Does anyone have a source for a new gauge cluster? Or has anyopne come up with a good fix for this?
Should I simply run individualwires to the individual bulbs?
All ideas welcomed, and only the truly silly ones will be openly laughed at!
Thanks,
- R
None of my gauge cluster lights work reliably; having pulled the cluster, I can see that the problem is that the plastic is well on its way to biodegrading, and the socket no longer keeps the bulb in contact with that little printed circuit business.
Does anyone have a source for a new gauge cluster? Or has anyopne come up with a good fix for this?
Should I simply run individualwires to the individual bulbs?
All ideas welcomed, and only the truly silly ones will be openly laughed at!
Thanks,
- R
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
That's a common problem, the white plastic back panel gets brittle and falls apart. Get a 'new' back panel from a 73-79 pickup/Bronco or '80s Econoline van with the same guage arangement as your pickup. Just swap the back panel, using your original guages and flex circuit.
Marty
Marty
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 268
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From: North Texas
Early '80's Econolines used the same instrument cluster?
Nobody still has these "NOS" do they?
Thanks,
- R
Nobody still has these "NOS" do they?
Thanks,
- R
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 780
Likes: 18
From: East Texas
As a matter of fact, I just noticed recently that one of the site sponsors, Jeff's Bronco Graveyard, has the back plates listed now. I going to be getting one myself, to rebuild the original gauge cluster for my '77.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
Likes: 5
From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by firstonraceday
As a matter of fact, I just noticed recently that one of the site sponsors, Jeff's Bronco Graveyard, has the back plates listed now. I going to be getting one myself, to rebuild the original gauge cluster for my '77.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
As far as I can figure out it may have been some kind of problem with a few of those backs. I have seen trucks of many years with good backs but then a few show up with bad ones. It may be a lot number or a plastic material problem...
I would not buy two of them tho. The one you buy will probably outlast the truck. If it did fail you probably would not be able to find the other one or it would have been broken or cleared out in some junk throwing party...
I would not buy two of them tho. The one you buy will probably outlast the truck. If it did fail you probably would not be able to find the other one or it would have been broken or cleared out in some junk throwing party...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,138
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From: Yuba City, Ca
none of my lights work except the slector light on the column. they all work when i turn the high beams on. i posted this a long time ago and didn't get much response. i haven't checked the lights but they wouldn't work at all if they were blown. why does this work with the highs but not the lows? i'm lost here and in need of help bad. i ran out of gas one night because of this dang light problem. help would be appriciated a lot.
Drive It Like You Stole It!!!
Drive It Like You Stole It!!!
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Clarification to things mentioned here.
There are not 2 bulbs on the back of a cluster, there are at least 7 ,plus the T/S bulbs.
The gear selector bulb can be reached from behind the cowl on the steering column, making the removal of the steering wheel UN-necessary.
There are some of us on FTE that have used cluster backs please check the classifieds.
I have noticed that more of the cluster backs that breakdown are in HOT climate states. Arizona,Texas,Florida,etc
It is quite rare for a Canadian Truck cluster back to breakdown.
There are not 2 bulbs on the back of a cluster, there are at least 7 ,plus the T/S bulbs.
The gear selector bulb can be reached from behind the cowl on the steering column, making the removal of the steering wheel UN-necessary.
There are some of us on FTE that have used cluster backs please check the classifieds.
I have noticed that more of the cluster backs that breakdown are in HOT climate states. Arizona,Texas,Florida,etc
It is quite rare for a Canadian Truck cluster back to breakdown.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 263
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From: FLOWER MOUND,TX
I Had The Same Problem With Mine.78 Bronco.check Fuse 1st.i Went To Junk Yard And Pulled One Out In Better Condition Out Of A 78 Van...not Real Hard To Do...printed Circuit Boards Can Be Had From Lmctruck.com...good Luck