Can't Get Dash Lights To Work
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 286
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From: Ousley, GA
Can't Get Dash Lights To Work
What I thought would be the easiest fix of my recently acquired '76 F150 has ended up whipping me.
The instrument cluster lights won't come on.
I have pulled the dash, replaced all of the bulbs, pulled the headlight switch and cleaned the dimmer, and checked the fuses.
The headlight/wiper light works (and dims), all gauges work, the turn signals work and light up, the Fasten Seatbelts comes on, the high beam light works, emergency flashers work - but none of the lights illuminating the instrument cluster.
One thing I have noticed that is not "right" is when the headlights are on the left turn signal (on the dash only) comes on and stays on, and when the turn signal is activated it works normally. Again, all of my turn signals, front and rear are new bulbs and working fine. I can't find what is causing this.
What am I missing? What can I check to get the cluster lights working? What's up with the turn signal/headlight? I could really use some help.
The instrument cluster lights won't come on.
I have pulled the dash, replaced all of the bulbs, pulled the headlight switch and cleaned the dimmer, and checked the fuses.
The headlight/wiper light works (and dims), all gauges work, the turn signals work and light up, the Fasten Seatbelts comes on, the high beam light works, emergency flashers work - but none of the lights illuminating the instrument cluster.
One thing I have noticed that is not "right" is when the headlights are on the left turn signal (on the dash only) comes on and stays on, and when the turn signal is activated it works normally. Again, all of my turn signals, front and rear are new bulbs and working fine. I can't find what is causing this.
What am I missing? What can I check to get the cluster lights working? What's up with the turn signal/headlight? I could really use some help.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Kiefer, Northeastern Okla
Sorry my reply was so short, the wife had an emergency that really wasn't. You could probably get by with a test light to see if you've got a break in your board somewhere, but a multi-meter has kept me from kickin' the dog a few times. Tracing the power to where it DON'T go is pretty easy. Hope it's not the board. Just looked in my NPD catalog, $99.95. good luck!
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Ousley, GA
I thought about that but wasn't real sure how to check. It was obvious that I was getting voltage.
I tried something else - I swapped the cluster light housings and I got some of them to work. So it must not be the lights or the voltage but the little plastic housings. Learned something!
Now, I still have the problem with the left turn signal light coming on and staying on in the instrument cluster. Again, only happens when the lights are on and works fine when the turn signal is engaged.
I tried something else - I swapped the cluster light housings and I got some of them to work. So it must not be the lights or the voltage but the little plastic housings. Learned something!
Now, I still have the problem with the left turn signal light coming on and staying on in the instrument cluster. Again, only happens when the lights are on and works fine when the turn signal is engaged.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,848
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From: Kentucky
Originally Posted by scottlane
I thought about that but wasn't real sure how to check. It was obvious that I was getting voltage.
I tried something else - I swapped the cluster light housings and I got some of them to work. So it must not be the lights or the voltage but the little plastic housings. Learned something!
Now, I still have the problem with the left turn signal light coming on and staying on in the instrument cluster. Again, only happens when the lights are on and works fine when the turn signal is engaged.
I tried something else - I swapped the cluster light housings and I got some of them to work. So it must not be the lights or the voltage but the little plastic housings. Learned something!
Now, I still have the problem with the left turn signal light coming on and staying on in the instrument cluster. Again, only happens when the lights are on and works fine when the turn signal is engaged.
I had the dash light turn signal indicator light on all the time, thing on my 79. End up being one of the the front signal lamps was burned out. That, along with numerous bad sockets and some 1157 lamps in upside down in the worn lamp socket guide pin slots.
Last edited by Greg 79 f150; Oct 1, 2005 at 06:49 PM.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 286
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From: Ousley, GA
Got it. I was just about to kick one of my dogs when I noticed the front left turn signal was dimming and then went out as a parking lamp. Changed bulbs and no difference. Removed it altogether and the dash is fine. Must have a bad socket or wiring to the socket. I'll check voltage in the morning. Thanks for the tips - I was so far into it I couldn't see the forest for the trees!
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southwest Virginia
New radio install
Hey what if your lights were good until you hit something whe installing a new cd /radio in old slot.......I haven't pulled the cluster off yet to check the bulbs, but did replace the instrument fuse.....and my radio wiring was using the red/blue wire for ground so I disconnected that and wired the ground for radio straight to the frame where bolt holding bracket to the rear of the radio is......still no dash lights......Is there much I can check b 4 pulling dash again? Or pull dash and try bulb replacement? Any help would be appreciated.....
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Ousley, GA
You need to find what you hit. I think that the red/blue wire that you were using to ground your radio is actually a power wire. It may be acting as a ground if you shorted it. I'd check that wire again and look for power after checking the fuses.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southwest Virginia
Ok after I disconneted fatory installed radio and got it out of the dash...... I read the wires for power...... seems like the yellow and black had power but red/blue didn't... but after I installed new radio and the lights went out.... I went back and removed the wire from the red/blue.... and connected that to the frame where the radio bracketmount screw went.... switched instrument fuse with new one.... but still no lights...ready to pull dash but want to try everything beofre I do that......
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: P-dot, Manitoba
Maybe you did this but are all the contacts clean and corrosion free? I had trouble with mine and none of the lights worked anywhere on the truck. So I replaced all the bulbs and they still didn't work, so I cleaned the contacts and everything worked perfect.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 34
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From: Southwest Virginia
OK any ideas where to start for this problem.... checked last night.....felt around the wires and can't find any loose ones..... the red/blue has nothing attached to it now....... but still no dash lights.......the fuse is not blown......do I need to pull dash to see if the lights are getting power? Or just try to replace bulbs first? If red/blue was power to them....and now its a grond do I need to re-wire the lights power source?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Ousley, GA
I still think you need to find the wire you cut. Try to hook everything back up the way it was before the problem. Do your gauges work or ist it only the indicator lamps? If neither are working you may want to check the voltage regulator on the back of the panel. If the wire you cut shorted it out you will have to replace it. Bottom line, I think you would be saving yourself time in the long run to pull the panel again and check everything. It's not too much of a pain and you can eliminate the guessing game
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 34
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From: Southwest Virginia
OK as far as I can tell, I didn't cut a wire..... but I think one of my radio wires might have grounded itself when I was trying to take it back out...... that was when the red/blue was still connected to it......thats when the das lights went out.....I have the warning lights still and the turn signals... and running lights out side.... just no dash lights.... any idea where the ground is for the dash lights? Thanks