I just got an 86 F150 and the dash lights are all really dim.

They are all the same so I would be surprised if it was just old bulbs. Is there something else that could affect them?

Thanks,
Don
Falls Church, VA

 

The headlight switch rheostat isn't turned to max.

and

they have come out of their sockets because the cluster back has crumbled.

 

I have the same problem with my 1986 F150 and with other older cars as well. One of the solutions put forth by someone on another forum suggested that I change the headlight switch because the rheostat that controls the dimness of the dash lights might be disfunctional. Sounded reasonable to me. But I just went out and bought some cheap LED lights and placed them on the dash in front of the gauges and the effect is quite good. They are blue in color and light up the gauges nicely and look good too. Just a suggestion.

 

Removing the blue covers from the inside of the cluster will help too.

 

If that be the case, I would simply re-route the dash-lights through a simple toggle-switch, effectively eliminating the rheostat/dimmer.

I would like to do this.

Could you post links to where you got yours, please??

Also, some pictures of what/where you done would be beneficial.

Thanks.

 

You can get them here but they DON'T/Won't dim any.

They glow quite bright.

http://autolumination.com/194.htm

 

<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR title="Post 4603694" vAlign=top><TD class=alt1 align=middle width=125>Sycostang67</TD><TD class=alt2> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
This is the best and most cost effective way to go, its free and very simple to do. A handfull of screws and a couple of hours if I remember correctly. Those factory blue covers over the bulbs kills the light output. If you do a search in this forum, on this topic, this is what most have done, including myself. It also gives you a good reason to take the dash off and clean/check things out under there. While you're at it, if you don't have a factory tach but have the other guages, it would also be a good time to install a tach because you can access the tach signal wire thats back there. This is, of course, only if your headlight switch is still good, it probably is. Some may think its the switch but you'll be amazed at how much light those blue covers take away.

 

Sorry, I should have been clearer in my description.

The rheostat is working (at least somewhat) as I can dim them by turning the headlight switch. The problem is that when turned all the way up they are still really dim.

Does the rheostat wear out causing the lights to be dim.

Thanks,
Don

 

As Sycostang67 and I suggested, this is most likely your problem. Try it, its free!!!

 

I took the covers out of my cluster, and it does really help. It gives you a bare bulb yellow glow though, which I don't mind, but some people replace the regular bulbs with ones that have colored lenses.

 

What causes problens is the corrosion that accumulates on the connections shown here. The White stuff.

No matter how much power is sent thru the wire if it can't be used to its greatest potential then they will be dim.But because electrical components fail with age switches can go bas as well as do the bulbs themselves.

 

Thanks Everyone.

I have to pull the dash top off to change the stereo and equalizer anyway, so I'll take a look at cleaning the circuit board and possibly removing the covers and swapping colored bulbs.

BTW, You guys ROCK!!!

 

I had the issue of dim dash lights until i cleaned all of the connections (specifically the ground) for the voltage regualtor.

I also ran an auxillary ground wire from the alternator directly to the battery.

These two things helped ALOT. These fixes are nearly free and i like them alot more than taking the gels off of the dashlights. I like the green glow.

Justin

 

Are you meaning the alternator voltage regulator that is on the right-side wheel-well on my 1985??
How Big ??I have never had a "green glow", only a faint yellowish dimness that causes me to use a flashlight to read the odometer.

If I go as far as tearing into the cluster, I will trash that silly printed circuit and solder in real wires, and maybe add a bunch more bulbs.

 

Grounds on parts are very important and seem to get neglected by people.

Corrosion attacks places where 2 metals join.