Dashlights Don't Work
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
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Dashlights Don't Work
Can't get my dashlights to come on. All the guages and turn signal lights work and I know the bulbs are good so I'm thinking maybe something wrong with the light switch. All expterior light work when it's pulled out and when I turn the **** far enough, the dome light comes on but no dashlights.
Any ideas?
Took out my instrument cluster and tried to figure out how to remove the light switch but couldn't. The **** won't pull off and I couldn't see anything holding the switch in from behind the dash.
Help?
Any ideas?
Took out my instrument cluster and tried to figure out how to remove the light switch but couldn't. The **** won't pull off and I couldn't see anything holding the switch in from behind the dash.
Help?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
If you turn on the headlights, and then twist the light ****, will the dash lights come on? To remove many ford light switches, you have to depress a small spring-loaded button toward the rear of the switch. While holding the button in, you pull the **** and shaft all the way out. Then the bezzle can be removed. Good luck, John
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 693
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From: Tuttle, Oklahoma
indeed, the switch is your problem. it sounds like the coiled spring has either corroded or broken. easy fix, just hard wire the contacts together, I bet you don't even use the dimmer anyway. Or you could get a new one from one of your local salvage or from one of the site sponsors if they have one. best bet would be like LMC or Dennis Carpenter.
New User
Joined: May 2004
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joelgator I had the same problem on my '68 and a new headlight switch only added another problem. I bought my new switch at PEP boy's, I think, for about $15 and now the retainer (that screws in from the front) will not screw in. The threads are different between the retainer and the new headlight switch.
That and it did not fix the problem either. Still no dash lights or low beams, the high beams work just fine.
I will be pulling the dash apart very soon.
That and it did not fix the problem either. Still no dash lights or low beams, the high beams work just fine.
I will be pulling the dash apart very soon.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 693
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From: Tuttle, Oklahoma
skiziks, this sounds like a high/low switch problem, or a relay problem. I may be wrong, it happens.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
Ranger is right, and it's easier to get to the highbeam switch in the floor than going under the dash. John
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
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Guages and Lights
I'll double check but I think one of my fuses is marked Instr. which I assumed meant the entire works. There are only about give fuses in the entire panel. Prettly basic. Everything else electrical is working or unless those lights are on a fuse by themselves, which I don't think they are, it's not a fuse. What year truck do you have?
Thanks for the tip.
Thanks for the tip.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
Something just occurred to me. My 55 fairlane light switch has it's own fuse on the back of it. I think it controls the dome lght and maybe the dash lights too. Do you have a small fuse on the back of your switch? 
Also, the light switch only lights the dash lights at a ery particular point. If I get it right on that point they will light, otherwise no lights. It must be a design problem with the 55 car light switch. The previous unit did exactly the same thing. 
John
Also, the light switch only lights the dash lights at a ery particular point. If I get it right on that point they will light, otherwise no lights. It must be a design problem with the 55 car light switch. The previous unit did exactly the same thing. John
Last edited by Jag Red 54; Jan 20, 2005 at 04:31 PM.