dash lights

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Dec 20, 2001 | 11:53 AM

goodfoot

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dash lights

My '74 F-100 suffers from dim dash lights. I changed out the light switch on the dash in hopes that the rheostat was the culprit and not allowing full voltage to the bulbs but the new switch does no better. Does anyone have any ideas. Thanks and Merry Christmas.

Dec 20, 2001 | 01:20 PM

73Custom

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From: SD

dash lights

[font color=red size=2]My '73 had the same problem, they only litup a dim green. So I took the dash apart and found the problem... There are green plastic "caps" that cover the light bulbs to make it a green tint. My "caps" had gotten very dark and clouded over the years. So I removed them and WOW! what a difference, way brighter!

The light is white now (which I like better), but you could get any color bulb you want - blue, green, red.

Just pull the guage panel out, and remove the screws from the back and pull the back off. Then you will see the green "caps" inbetween the guages, they just snap on - pull them off. At this time I wiped some of the dust out and used some orange paint to repaint the faded guage pointers. Then just reassemble.

Marty

Dec 20, 2001 | 03:49 PM

skud

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dash lights

My 77 F-150 had the same problem except it was the headlight switch. If i moved it very carefully, it would go brighter, but only in a particular spot. Eventually I just replaced the switch ($12 at a local shop).

Hope this helps

Later
Riley

Dec 20, 2001 | 06:17 PM

79fordslug

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dash lights

I reccomend following the above two posts but I would also clean the copper wiring that connects all the bulbs. After years of corrosion in air, the wires can lose a little conductivity. Good Luck!

Dec 21, 2001 | 05:27 AM

goodfoot

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dash lights

Thanks for the help. Since the dash switch didn't do the trick I'll be takin' them bulb covers off that I didn't know about. I hate to remove their little green covers in the near heart of winter but at least they reside in Florida