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dashboard lighting is too dim

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Old Aug 3, 2005 | 01:32 PM
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Thumbs down dashboard lighting is too dim

My dad bought a Ford Ranger pickup and the speedometer is difficult to read. He is trying to hook up some kind of light to shine on it. Do you have any ideas?
Thanks
 
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Old Aug 3, 2005 | 05:49 PM
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From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
Thread moved to Ranger forum.

-Matt
 
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Old Aug 3, 2005 | 07:05 PM
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First, check to see that the instrument panel intensity control is not turned too far down. If it is all the way up and it is still too dim you probably have some burned out instrument panel bulbs . You will have to dismantle the dash as the bulbs cannot be reached with it in place. it is not as difficult as it sounds, just make sure that you remove all the screws holding the various pieces in place and proceed carefully as most of the parts are plastic. If you have airbags, make sure that you disconnect the battery and wait ten minutes before starting to remove the dash. Also change ALL of the bulbs when you have the dash apart, because if some of the bulbs burned out, the rest are likely ready to go also. Good Luck.
 
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Old Aug 3, 2005 | 07:19 PM
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Originally Posted by orrin
My dad bought a Ford Ranger pickup and the speedometer is difficult to read. He is trying to hook up some kind of light to shine on it. Do you have any ideas?
Thanks
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Old Aug 3, 2005 | 08:29 PM
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Panel lights burned out on new pickup?

Would panel lights be burned out on a brand new pickup? Thanks for your answer. I'll give to dad.
Originally Posted by ranger22
First, check to see that the instrument panel intensity control is not turned too far down. If it is all the way up and it is still too dim you probably have some burned out instrument panel bulbs . You will have to dismantle the dash as the bulbs cannot be reached with it in place. it is not as difficult as it sounds, just make sure that you remove all the screws holding the various pieces in place and proceed carefully as most of the parts are plastic. If you have airbags, make sure that you disconnect the battery and wait ten minutes before starting to remove the dash. Also change ALL of the bulbs when you have the dash apart, because if some of the bulbs burned out, the rest are likely ready to go also. Good Luck.
 
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Old Aug 3, 2005 | 11:44 PM
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It's possible
 
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 11:14 AM
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Smile Thank you - dash lighting

Thank you so much. Dad doesn't think it's the lights. He can see it okay at night, but daytime is difficult. I wonder if he put a different color lens in his sunglasses if he could see it. He also doesn't like it that '30' isn't on the speedometer. 30 is the town speed limit here.
 
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Old Aug 7, 2005 | 07:50 AM
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Hi,
Oh, I didn't realize that it was a new truck, I just assumed used,as burnt out dash bulbs are common on vehicles more than a few years old. The sunglass idea might have some merit, I used to have a 95 Dodge Colt and it was really hard to see the speedo if I was wearing my sunglasses and driving towards the sun, just due to the shadows and light reflection. Hope you enjoy your Ranger, I sure like mine.

97 XLT Gold Edition 3.0 auto R/C S/Box
 
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