dash lights
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,002
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From: Right Next to U
Usually the problem could be the light switch, seems like it has for me when mine went dim, but part of the problem was I needed my eyes checked anyway...then when the lights went out it was the floor dimmer switch...no one likes to drive at night without the lights on.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 347
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i would say its the light switch that is messing up the dash lights. and as for the whole dimmer switch thing, i was driving in the dark one night and hit my dimmer switch and boom, the lights were out. that really sucked, so i had to kick the stupid thing a few times til i had lights again.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
Wiggle the swithch handle and see if they come back, if so, the light switch is going bad. The switch is built such that to dim the lights, it rubs across a variable resistor, and in time and vibration, it goes bad, causing the problem you describe.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,739
Likes: 3
From: GANS
check the fuse. My dash lights were coming on when they felt like it, and I checked the headlight switch and it was crummy but ok. It turns out the fuse was broken and when you'd hit a bump, it would make contact and work. I replaced it and all has been well for the last 10months. I'm guessing a metal fatigue issue in the fuse filament.
I'd also get a new switch anyways. After 20years, they wear, and the dash gets dimmer.
I'd also get a new switch anyways. After 20years, they wear, and the dash gets dimmer.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 284
Likes: 1
From: Beaverton, Oregon
I had a similar issue on my 86 F350. If they came on at all, they would always be very dim on the instrument lights. A switch replacement fixed the issue with them being dim, and a faulty ground was the cause of them not coming on all the time. About 20 minutes to fix both. As I remember the switch cost about $15 from NAPA.
You will need to make a "hook" tool to remove the **** on the end of the light switch. A piece of siff wire bent into a small hook is used to push on the back of the switch and it comes off...makes removal easier (there's also a release button on the top of the light switch itself that lets you take the whole shaft out, but it's hard to get to if it's in the dash).
bremen242 has a good idea with the fuse. I actually had my dash light fuse fall out the other day....could be loose in yours.
Hope that helps!
Dan Martin
1986 F350 Crewcab Dually, 460, C6.
You will need to make a "hook" tool to remove the **** on the end of the light switch. A piece of siff wire bent into a small hook is used to push on the back of the switch and it comes off...makes removal easier (there's also a release button on the top of the light switch itself that lets you take the whole shaft out, but it's hard to get to if it's in the dash).
bremen242 has a good idea with the fuse. I actually had my dash light fuse fall out the other day....could be loose in yours.
Hope that helps!
Dan Martin
1986 F350 Crewcab Dually, 460, C6.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Likes: 3
From: GANS
I don't know what it is with these trucks, but I've had like 8 to 10 fuses fall out altogether. It is weird. I was driving down the street, and the turn signals quit. The fuse fell out. The blower quit. The fuse fell out. The E-brake light quit. The fuse fell out. The radio quit. The fuse fell out.. Talk about annoying!!!
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