instrument cluster lights
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instrument cluster lights
I have a 78 f150 4x4. The instrument cluster lights do not work. All the gauges and outside lights work. Any suggestions on where to start looking for a solution to me being in the dark? All fuses seem to be o.k. I'm at a loss with what to do next. Thanks in advance for any help.
Barry
Barry
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instrument cluster lights
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Jan-02 AT 09:37 PM (EST)]What happens when you turn the rheostat **** on the headlight switch?
Any flickering ?
Make sure you check and even replace the fuse first.
It Might look okay but,Is it really ?
It's highly unlikely that ALL the bulbs burnt out at the same time.
The Headlight switch is usually the culprit.
It looks like you will have to pull the instrument cluster out for specific diagnoses.
We'll be here for you if you need us.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
Any flickering ?
Make sure you check and even replace the fuse first.
It Might look okay but,Is it really ?
It's highly unlikely that ALL the bulbs burnt out at the same time.
The Headlight switch is usually the culprit.
It looks like you will have to pull the instrument cluster out for specific diagnoses.
We'll be here for you if you need us.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 93
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instrument cluster lights
Barry, There has been a lot of discussion on this forum about the lack of instrument cluster lights. Browse through the topics until you find a topic listed "Instrument Cluster", then click on it.
I would bet a dollar to a donut you will find an answer to your problem.
Bill (aka-gilatrader)
78 F-150 Ranger (with all dash lights working now)
I would bet a dollar to a donut you will find an answer to your problem.
Bill (aka-gilatrader)
78 F-150 Ranger (with all dash lights working now)
New User
Joined: Jan 2002
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instrument cluster lights
ref the inst. lights, i bought a 79 which had only one or two lights working. replaced all bulbs to no avail. found that the flat wires,(patr of the printed circuit) on the back of the inst. panel were corroded. cleaned them with a small piece of scotchbrite pad. no trouble in two years. note: my panel was very dificult to get off
as speedo cable had one real funky connector.
as speedo cable had one real funky connector.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
instrument cluster lights
I had read this thread a few days ago and was out in my for sale 76 last night, running it when I checked and found that it's panel dark, column, radio, and other lights work fine, and dim off the switch. There must be a weak link in those panels. 
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John
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In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
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John
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In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
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From: Gainesville, FL
instrument cluster lights
All,
Having owned a few of these 73-79 over the years and having had problems with the cluster lights in all of them, I will tell you this! These lights are vibration sensitive. The Instument panel itself is brittle and over the years the plastic that the lights twist into, just starts to crumble. Removing the light holder to replace the bulb can be the final straw. I've seen these instument panels turn to dust. When you put the light back in, you may not be able to twist the bulb in all the way. You will have to "Tweek it" to get it just right. This may last a week before a bump knocks them loose again. Trial and error is the only solutiuon.
Good Luck, Have Fun,
KingFisher
P.S. Always keep an eye out for the function of your idiot lights! Both the oil and Alt. light should be on if the engine is not running and the key is in the run position!
Having owned a few of these 73-79 over the years and having had problems with the cluster lights in all of them, I will tell you this! These lights are vibration sensitive. The Instument panel itself is brittle and over the years the plastic that the lights twist into, just starts to crumble. Removing the light holder to replace the bulb can be the final straw. I've seen these instument panels turn to dust. When you put the light back in, you may not be able to twist the bulb in all the way. You will have to "Tweek it" to get it just right. This may last a week before a bump knocks them loose again. Trial and error is the only solutiuon.
Good Luck, Have Fun,
KingFisher
P.S. Always keep an eye out for the function of your idiot lights! Both the oil and Alt. light should be on if the engine is not running and the key is in the run position!
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 93
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instrument cluster lights
There are two different types of instrument clusters, one has idiot lights and the other has gauges. My 78 F-150 has gauges and I just replaced the instrument cluster backplate. All of my lights now work fine. In my opinion,trying to repair a brittle backplate or trying to twist the light sockets into a brittle backplate is a lost cause. I went to the Ford Dealer Parts counter and paid about $60 for a new backplate. The only problem I had with switching the gauges, was that the wireing terminals had a tendency to turn when I tried to screw the nut on. I had to hold the terminal with a pair of needle nose pliers while I screwed the nut on. You have to be very careful not to damage the gauge needles while working on the thing. If anyone decides to take this same step, I will be glad to give them some guidance and advice on how to proceed,if they feel they need it.
Bill- (aka gilatrader)
78 F-150 Ranger 351 Auto Styleside
Bill- (aka gilatrader)
78 F-150 Ranger 351 Auto Styleside
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Senior User
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instrument cluster lights
hehehhe....I just bought my 77 150 extended cab last week....the second night I drove it....the left side of the instrument panel went dark..this went on for about 3 nights, then the 4th night, all the lights worked again....the 5th night....the RIGHT side went dark (and is still dark)....I am glad I found this thread so now I know what to expect as I try to remedy this.....
ackus
ackus
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Albuquerque
instrument cluster lights
I've been known to actually solder the bulb holder to the circuit. Just use a hot iron, a drop of solder and be quick so you don't melt the box.
It was supposed to be temporary but it took me two years to find a replacement box that was identical.
Dang Fords! 280,000 miles and the bulbs are already burning out.
Bear Tracks
It was supposed to be temporary but it took me two years to find a replacement box that was identical.
Dang Fords! 280,000 miles and the bulbs are already burning out.
Bear Tracks
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 74
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From: USA
instrument cluster lights
I just got done fixing this on my 78 f100. I had a short behind the instrument panel where all the wires go in. just pull the plastic insert and take loose the bolts that hold in the instrument panel. When I moved the wires around on mine the lights would go on and off so I knew I found my problem. Tracing down the short isn't fun but its not hard eaither. good luck
New User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22
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From: Houston USA
instrument cluster lights
I just got all of my lights working in my 74 F100 with some 400 grit sandpaper. Sanded til the copper on the circuit board was like a shiny new penny and cleaned the sockets up good. My old lights still worked.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Plano
instrument cluster lights
I just got done repairing mine too. I used a trick that I learned from working on electronic circuit boards. Take a pencil with a rubber eraser and rub all the copper contacts until they are bright and shiney. Take the lights out and rub the copper on the circuit board and the contacts on the lamp holders. Do the ones where the big connector plugs in also.
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