Cluster Lighting
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 583
Likes: 43
From: Hawthorne,Ca.
Cluster Lighting
Hi and thanks for your help ahead of time.In the next few weeks I'm going to take the dash off to find this problem unless you folks can help me out ahead of time.On my 79' F150 the gage cluster is in thirds if you know what I mean.The first 1/3 or the left side does not light up for night time use.The gages do work ( oil pres. & gas ) but no lights.I did check out the blubs and they do work out side the truck.The secound third and the last third work 100%. Any ideas ???
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Just remove the cluster & clean it all up & replace all the #194 bulbs.
Some people remove the Blue Dome Filters because they get foggy after years of use.
They do this tio get more light.
Remember Yellow & Blue makes Green.
Other colour #194 bulbs are available, Green,Blue,Red of you want to change the colour.
Instructions for removing the cluster & dash related items (Like W/W ***** & H/L **** shaft) & can be found in other Cluster related threads.
Some people remove the Blue Dome Filters because they get foggy after years of use.
They do this tio get more light.
Remember Yellow & Blue makes Green.
Other colour #194 bulbs are available, Green,Blue,Red of you want to change the colour.
Instructions for removing the cluster & dash related items (Like W/W ***** & H/L **** shaft) & can be found in other Cluster related threads.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
Like Dennis said - you have a burned out bulb. There are two 194 bulbs that light the cluster.
I'm one of the ones that removed the foggy Blue Dome Filters - because my dash lights were very dim (even with new bulbs). Removing the blue filters gave me bright white light - now I can see them clearly at night.
Marty
I'm one of the ones that removed the foggy Blue Dome Filters - because my dash lights were very dim (even with new bulbs). Removing the blue filters gave me bright white light - now I can see them clearly at night.
Marty
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Actually there are about 5 bulbs for lighting
2 for turn-signals.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion...lusterBack.JPG
2 for turn-signals.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion...lusterBack.JPG
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 1
From: Great NW
I wonder if the turn signal flasher is supposed to dangle from it's harness, like in the pic (and in my truck)? You would think that Ford would secure something like that under the dash better...
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Hey Gene 
If you look close on the left side you will see it.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion...ingharness.JPG
If you look close on the left side you will see it.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion...ingharness.JPG
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Charlotte NC
To get the bulbs you can go to Wal-Mart and get them. They sell them various colors and generally have them in stock. Gregm
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Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 583
Likes: 43
From: Hawthorne,Ca.
As I STATED...I DID check the bulbs and they DO work outsige the truck.Also one day in about every 4 months the first third of the cluster lights all work for about 1 hour.Is there a wire short or a pc board problem ??? But it is not the bulbs.Thanks again,Robert.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
Often the contacts of the printed circuit get dirty and corroded. Carefully clean the contacts and coat with dielectric grease. Also look carefully over the dash light circuit - mine had a slight crack through it. I cleaned and soldered the crack and all has been well for a couple years now.
Marty
Marty
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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As I STATED...I DID check the bulbs and they DO work outside the truck.
The reason I mentioned NEW bulbs is because they gradually fail.
If you have the cluster out for checking circuitry,I suggest putting New bulbs in.
Also one day in about every 4 months the first third of the cluster lights all work for about 1 hour.
Is there a wire short or a pc board problem ?
Sorry, I didn't know what was meant by the first 1/3 of the lights.
Yes, the printed curcuit board can be an offender.
I was assuming you were removing the cluster to do a complete trouble-shooting test.
Then Cleaning the board should help.
The black wire in the cluster connector should be for the ground.
But it is not the bulbs.
Sorry, I didn't read that you removed the cluster & checked them all.
Thanks again,Robert.
That's why we're here......To help people
The reason I mentioned NEW bulbs is because they gradually fail.
If you have the cluster out for checking circuitry,I suggest putting New bulbs in.
Also one day in about every 4 months the first third of the cluster lights all work for about 1 hour.
Is there a wire short or a pc board problem ?
Sorry, I didn't know what was meant by the first 1/3 of the lights.
Yes, the printed curcuit board can be an offender.
I was assuming you were removing the cluster to do a complete trouble-shooting test.
Then Cleaning the board should help.
The black wire in the cluster connector should be for the ground.
But it is not the bulbs.
Sorry, I didn't read that you removed the cluster & checked them all.
Thanks again,Robert.
That's why we're here......To help people
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Purdue
lol my whole cluster just goes out quite a bit.......all I have to do is kick the wires and htey come back on....I know this is a bad idea but it makes the lights work......you may wanna try it (I know I'm sure I just have a short or bad connection but I was just givin him a temp solution to try)
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 583
Likes: 43
From: Hawthorne,Ca.
Thanks for all of your help.Now I've got some good idea's to start with.I've already wiggled,waggeled all the wires under the dash and no go.I'll let you guys know what I find in the next two weeks.