My truck has got to where you can barely see the speedometer and guages at night. The lights are very dim. I also think there may be some that are out.
I removed the plastic trim cover and cleaned it out real good, but this did not help. How do I get to the bulbs? Is there a brighter bulb to replace these with?
How many bulbs are in there?
I thank you for any help.
Rodney

 

its probably your voltage regulator for them...i forget what it's actually called..but it regulates the voltage for dash lights...someone should answer soon with the answer..

 

turn the headlight switch to the left.

 

Did you check that your dash light dimmer is not turned to a low setting? Try rotating the headlight switch to the left (counterclockwise) that will turn the dimmer to its brightest setting.

 

Thanks for your replies. The dimmer is working and will kill the lights when turned to the right. I believe there are one or more lights that are out and I was just wondering how to get to them to check and replace if needed.

Thanks
Rodney

 

Here are the steps to replacing instrument cluster lights according to the 1985 Ford truck shop manual:
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Remove two steering column shroud to panel retaining screws and remove shroud. (I was able to wiggle the panel past the shroud without removing the shroud but the book says to do this step.)
3. For tilt steering wheel models only. Loosen bolts which attach the column to the Band C Support to provide sufficient clearance for cluster removal.
4. Remove the seven instrument panel retaining screws. ( They are arranged around the edges of the panel; 3 along top and 4 along bottom)
5. Position cluster slightly away from panel for access to back of cluster to disconnect the speedometer cable. (If you can't get the panel out enought to get hold of the speedometer cable you will have to disconnect the speedo cable from transmission and push cable through cowl to get enough room.
6. Disconnect the electrical harness connector from the back of the panel and lift (wiggle) the cluster from the instrument panel.
7. The bulbs insert from the back of the panel on small bulb holders. (Can't remember what color but they just twist out.
8. Installation of cluster is reverse of removal.

Hope this is some help.

Russ

 

Thank you very much, that is exactly what I need to know,

Thanks,
Rodney

 

also need to note-

the lights have some kinda blueish / greenish plastic that covers them up. after time, it fades and gets dark, if you remove it, it will lighten up your dash. Also, the dimmer in the head light switch is a rheostat, and it wears out, especially at the brightest spot (the spot you have it at all the time. It'll help to replace it. they are ~$15 and would probably take 20minutes to change.

Another tip is to replace the 194 blubs in the dash cluster with the replacement LED lights. they have the same plug as the glass blubs but are brighter, use less juice, and last a long time.