To be perfectly honest here, I can't really say for sure that the real dim bulb here isn't in my head!

Anyway, here's my problem . . . .

I recently noticed that the night time dashboard illumination of the LIGHTS & WIPER/WASHER area had drastically changed!

Although I cound see that there was still some light getting through. It really paled in comparison to the rest of the illumination of my dashboard instruments.

After a bit of upside down investigation, I finally realized that there was a small metal cover over the bulb, which not only directs a small beam of light directly towards the specific area to be illuminated. It is also apparanty used as a mounting apparatus for the bulb.

Now, even though I have already removed the plastic "bezel" cover from my dashboard. I'll be darned if I can figure out exactly how or where to reconnect this thing so that it will work properly again!

So, after a couple of hours of extream frustration. I figured that it was about time for me eat my pride and ask for some assistance before I go totally nuckkin futs.

Although I really do hate to give up on my own effort to resolve such a minor repair issue. However, I guess that sometimes a person just has to give in to the forces of Murphy's Law and ask for some assistance! Even so, it's still quite difficult for me to face the fact that I can't seem to fix this problem on my own! Especially considering that I'm very sure that it's probably going to be something so easy that I'll probably end up feeling totally embarrassed just for asking such a "dim bulb" question.

I guess I'll have to give in to Murphy this time and consider putting my mental stability above my mechanical ability for awhile & just hope for the best outcome possible.

My sincere thanks to anyone who can help me to resolve the problem with my "dim bulb"

Larry "LB" Bailey a.k.a. "75 SuperCab"

 

Mine has an opening on the rear of the panel that the metal housing clips into.

 

When you say "on the rear of the panel" are you referring to the plastic "bezel" cover that fits over the speedometer or are you referring to the main body of the dashboard itself?

 

It just slides in the plastic hole.

 

My '75 F-250 Ranger SC has a small light inside a metal 'capsule' that is attached to the dash. The blue plastic may be removed - I left mine in. Squeeze the tabs together to remove the capsule / squeeze the tabs to install it.
The tabs are like springs to hold the "assembly" in place. This is at the back of the instrument panel assembly. You need to take out the screws that hold THAT in place.

 

Cool post, thanks, Larry!

It's up to us dim bulbs to share our problems with each other so we get to feel superior ever so often, even if it's just for a little while.

I removed mine along with all the other lights, only left the speedometer and gauge lights. "aux tank, switch up and main tank switch down" etc.

YMMV on that.

Sounds right.

Bezel? You mean the 2 foot wide black-plastic thing?

If not, take that big hunk of black plastic off first so you can see what's going on.

I couldn't agree with you more, it's like letting someone else solve your dangged puzzle for you. :/

If you really are a fellow dim-bulber you'll know figuring it out and getting the chance to actually "know something" is payment enough.

You got it fixed already I bet.

If not, I need to take my apart again anyway, I'll scan-off images if that'll help.

Alvin in AZ

 

Yes, The two straight edges get squeezed together and then fit in the Square hole on the plastic holder.

 

Here' some follow up info on my "Dim Bulb" problem!

The primary reason I could not figure out how to re-install this metal mounting apparatus was for the same reason that I had the problem in the first place. Although I always did have the correct mounting location in mind. It was very difficult for me to try to squeeze those two metal mounting legs together! Especially since one of the mounting legs had already been broken off! No doubt that this was the primary cause of my problem all along!

Needless to say, this was quite a new experience for me!

I've never felt like a one legged light mounter in a dash illumination contest before!

GORILLA GLUE TO THE RESCUE!!

My sincere thanks to everyone for all the great input!

You guys are the greatest!!

"75 SuperCab"

 

The same light socket is on the ash tray.

 

Is there a ground located somewhere on the instrument panel that could need cleaning? I have this problem with certain areas of my dash being dim and while fiddling with the wires one day they britened up like I had made better connection or something. Also I notice that from time to time my oil gauge and temp.gauge and others, will just swing from one extrime to the other.

 

Yes there is a ground connection.

Just Trace the wires from the connector.
I also suggest removing the cluster and do a thorough cleaning of it with electrical cleaner