No dash lights
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 353
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From: Bayonne NJ
No dash lights
Alright, before ya'll hose me and give me a hard time because this has been gone over before, let me give u my problem. 
I have a 1979 F100. 302 with a full gauge cluster. In the 2 and a half years I have had the truck, I have never had lights. I swapped gauge clusters with one I found in the junkyard. The one I previously had wasnt in very good shape, the bulb sockets had cracked and wouldnt hold the bulbs steady, the ammeter didnt work and the circuit board on the back wasnt in great shape either.
The new one I have seems to be in great shape, the ammeter now works (I think, at least it moves) and now my speedometer is correct, but i still dont have all of the gauge lights. I only have the right turn signal light and sometimes the brake light comes on when i turn the key to start the truck. I have swapped the bulbs with no change to the condition.
Anyways this leads me to believe that this is a wiring problem from the switch, but which one? Anyone have a wiring diagram? Or any other suggestions?
Thanks for your time
Joe
I have a 1979 F100. 302 with a full gauge cluster. In the 2 and a half years I have had the truck, I have never had lights. I swapped gauge clusters with one I found in the junkyard. The one I previously had wasnt in very good shape, the bulb sockets had cracked and wouldnt hold the bulbs steady, the ammeter didnt work and the circuit board on the back wasnt in great shape either.
The new one I have seems to be in great shape, the ammeter now works (I think, at least it moves) and now my speedometer is correct, but i still dont have all of the gauge lights. I only have the right turn signal light and sometimes the brake light comes on when i turn the key to start the truck. I have swapped the bulbs with no change to the condition.
Anyways this leads me to believe that this is a wiring problem from the switch, but which one? Anyone have a wiring diagram? Or any other suggestions?
Thanks for your time
Joe
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Instrument cluster lighting works off the Blue/red striped wire.
I would put thew cluster and with headlight switch on touch a multi-meter to the big grey connector & to the copper printed circuit.
Be careful not to short the connection across to ground.
I would put thew cluster and with headlight switch on touch a multi-meter to the big grey connector & to the copper printed circuit.
Be careful not to short the connection across to ground.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 58
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From: OH
ok, I'll throw in my thing to check. I had a similar problem. Only half of my lights worked when I got my truck. I came across a 100 mph speedo at a junk yard, and swapped it for my 85 mph one. While I had the dash apart, I went to work on my light problem. I bought all new bulbs and still nothing. I even tried swapping the bulb holders and still no lights. I took some sand paper to the little metal contacts on the bulb holder. After 2 times sanding on them, I had lights. Might try this at least if it doesn't work, the contacts will be clean.
EDIT:
Sorry, I forgot to add, I sanded the contact strips on the back of the cluster too
EDIT:
Sorry, I forgot to add, I sanded the contact strips on the back of the cluster too
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Hi Joe,
maybe I'm misunderstanding the question, but if the dash lights don't work it might be the headlight switch. It incorporates the dimmer and changing it out may work for you. I had the very same problem, and it worked for me.(don't think it would fix the turn signal though)
good luck,
roy
maybe I'm misunderstanding the question, but if the dash lights don't work it might be the headlight switch. It incorporates the dimmer and changing it out may work for you. I had the very same problem, and it worked for me.(don't think it would fix the turn signal though)
good luck,
roy
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 353
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From: Bayonne NJ
Update: Just cleaned the contacts on the back of the cluster and now both turn signals work. I'll find out about the dash lights themselves after work tonite. Also, is there a light for the heater controls?
Thanks
Thanks
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 353
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From: Bayonne NJ
Got it fixed. The headlight switch was wore out. The disc was broken and crumbling. 12 bucks at advance auto parts later and now I dont ride in the dark at night anymore!!
Thanks Ya'll
Thanks Ya'll
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 103
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From: Cincinnati
JoeBlow,
Great Job! You can't beat a fix like that. It's good to hear parts are still available for these vehicles. I know if the vehicle is more than 5 or 6 years old, sometimes Ford won't even carry the replacement parts. Which makes little sense, since if the part wears out that fast, it's an indication of poor design.
Again, congrats on the fix!
John24255
Great Job! You can't beat a fix like that. It's good to hear parts are still available for these vehicles. I know if the vehicle is more than 5 or 6 years old, sometimes Ford won't even carry the replacement parts. Which makes little sense, since if the part wears out that fast, it's an indication of poor design.
Again, congrats on the fix!
John24255
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