Problem: Dash lights are really dim
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: Texas
This is a very common complaint regarding the 1980-1986 F-Series trucks.
The key problem is just as Mil1ion pointed out. Corrosion.
A grade school childs pencil eraser will work just fine on the exposed traces of the printed circuit film. You don't need to remove the film from the cluster, just the lamps. Good time to replace the burned out ones as well.
The next most common is the voltage regualtor connection (this regulator is mounted on the back of the cluster and should be called a ballast and looks like a tiny harmonica). Clean the contacts and regulator with KROIL.
Next most common is the headlamp switch. Disconnect the battery. Pull the switch to full ON and look behind the **** for an indent by twirling the **** in your fingers while looking. Press the indent with a pick or like device while pulling on the ****, it will slide right off. Remove the switch from the dash. You don't need to unplug it if you don't want to but do lower it from the dash to spray the internals with KROIL while working the switch in/out/twist/turn. Replace switch and ****. Reconnect the battery. Done!
The key problem is just as Mil1ion pointed out. Corrosion.
A grade school childs pencil eraser will work just fine on the exposed traces of the printed circuit film. You don't need to remove the film from the cluster, just the lamps. Good time to replace the burned out ones as well.
The next most common is the voltage regualtor connection (this regulator is mounted on the back of the cluster and should be called a ballast and looks like a tiny harmonica). Clean the contacts and regulator with KROIL.
Next most common is the headlamp switch. Disconnect the battery. Pull the switch to full ON and look behind the **** for an indent by twirling the **** in your fingers while looking. Press the indent with a pick or like device while pulling on the ****, it will slide right off. Remove the switch from the dash. You don't need to unplug it if you don't want to but do lower it from the dash to spray the internals with KROIL while working the switch in/out/twist/turn. Replace switch and ****. Reconnect the battery. Done!
Last edited by 82F1507.5; Apr 7, 2007 at 04:53 PM.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Quote:The next most common is the voltage regualtor connection (this regulator is mounted on the back of the cluster and should be called a ballast and looks like a tiny harmonica). Clean the contacts and regulator with KROIL.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
actually one term is : Instrument Cluster Voltage regulator
http://info.rockauto.com/SMP/SMPDeta...ml?VRC606.html
and is shown here marked by Red Text attached to the cluster back
They are grounded and provide a 5 volt pulsing signal to the Fuel,Oil,Temp sending units.
Most problems with gauges can be traced to this spot.
The ICVR has nothing to do with the Cluster Bulbs (Cluster lighting)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
actually one term is : Instrument Cluster Voltage regulator
http://info.rockauto.com/SMP/SMPDeta...ml?VRC606.html
and is shown here marked by Red Text attached to the cluster back
They are grounded and provide a 5 volt pulsing signal to the Fuel,Oil,Temp sending units.
Most problems with gauges can be traced to this spot.
The ICVR has nothing to do with the Cluster Bulbs (Cluster lighting)
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Originally Posted by Mil1ion
Quote:The next most common is the voltage regualtor connection (this regulator is mounted on the back of the cluster and should be called a ballast and looks like a tiny harmonica). Clean the contacts and regulator with KROIL.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
actually one term is : Instrument Cluster Voltage regulator
http://info.rockauto.com/SMP/SMPDeta...ml?VRC606.html
and is shown here marked by Red Text attached to the cluster back
They are grounded and provide a 5 volt pulsing signal to the Fuel,Oil,Temp sending units.
Most problems with gauges can be traced to this spot.
The ICVR has nothing to do with the Cluster Bulbs (Cluster lighting)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
actually one term is : Instrument Cluster Voltage regulator
http://info.rockauto.com/SMP/SMPDeta...ml?VRC606.html
and is shown here marked by Red Text attached to the cluster back
They are grounded and provide a 5 volt pulsing signal to the Fuel,Oil,Temp sending units.
Most problems with gauges can be traced to this spot.
The ICVR has nothing to do with the Cluster Bulbs (Cluster lighting)
Agreed........IVCR has nothing to do with cluster bulbs but still is a ballast and should be free from corrosion when servicing the cluster.
The pictured cluster does not appear to be from an 80-86 F-Series truck, or should I say it does not look like any of the ones I've used.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
It isn't but the principle is the same.
I'm a little short on 80's F-series clusters.
BTW, No need for quote espeically with image.....all it does is make the page longer
a simple address to me
ie: Dennis
blah blah blah ......
works fine.
I'm a little short on 80's F-series clusters.
BTW, No need for quote espeically with image.....all it does is make the page longer
a simple address to me
ie: Dennis
blah blah blah ......
works fine.
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asmith6
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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