dash lights
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 821
Likes: 0
From: hohenwald, tn
dash lights
hey guys. i tried to fix my dash lights tonight. replaced the bulbs, and still no. the light next to the washer and light switch works on and off as i rotate the dimmer. the light switch makes a loud click as i turn the lights on. i have power where the wire plugs in the back of the cluster, but no lights. any ideas? any common problems on this cluster? my truck is a 77 f350. thanks all.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,447
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
I don't know about the loud click hopefully someone else does. That printed circuit in the back of the cluster may have some corrosion. I have had luck cleaning the contacts on that with a pencil eraser. Make sure the contacts are clean on the bulb sockets as well. May even help to carefully bend the tabs out a little on sockets.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Emmett, ID
Well if anyone has problems with this it's me...if you dimmer works but yer lights aren't coming on....it's yer switch itself...i would recommend to go to a junk yard and pull one out of a junked out truck for like 3 bucks...that circuit board is probably fine, (no offense olblue)....i would start with the cheap tricks first.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 4
From: Oregon
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
There's two things wrong with buying a used switch.
1. The used switch may not be any good either, and...
2. ONLY a switch from a 1977 or 78 F100/350 will work, the other years use different switches. The common cause: The rheostat that is used to brighten/darken the dash lights is made from a bakelite/plastic material. It fatigue cracks from age.
D7TZ-11654-A .. Head Lamp Switch 1977/78 ONLY (Motorcraft SW-1382)
NOTE: If you hit the headlamp dimmer switch with your foot, and the headlights go out, it's a bad dimmer switch. A common Ford malady.
C0TZ-13A024-A .. Dimmer Switch (Motorcraft SW-263)
.
1. The used switch may not be any good either, and...
2. ONLY a switch from a 1977 or 78 F100/350 will work, the other years use different switches. The common cause: The rheostat that is used to brighten/darken the dash lights is made from a bakelite/plastic material. It fatigue cracks from age.
D7TZ-11654-A .. Head Lamp Switch 1977/78 ONLY (Motorcraft SW-1382)
NOTE: If you hit the headlamp dimmer switch with your foot, and the headlights go out, it's a bad dimmer switch. A common Ford malady.
C0TZ-13A024-A .. Dimmer Switch (Motorcraft SW-263)
.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Apr 19, 2007 at 01:08 PM.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Concordville PA
Perhaps that loud click sound you hear when turning on the headlamp switch is the lights relay, if your truck is a trailer special (or camper special?)? It's mounted under the hood near the firewall on D/S inner fender usually.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote