Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

no dash lights?!? please help!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 28, 2007 | 01:41 PM
  #1  
1978fordf250's Avatar
1978fordf250
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 0
no dash lights?!? please help!

hey guys i have a 1978 f-150 all the parking lights and headlights work on the truck but the dash lights and heater light and the other ligth (that lights up where it says wipers and headlight switch. it dotn ligth up wither. now the turn signals and the high beam light work on ther insturment cluster works. i even changed whole dahs clusters thinkign maybe it was the dash cluster but same thing. now i did notice the very top right fuse right beside it says "inst cluster" well it is not gettign any power to the fuse on either side. the fuse itself is good but has no power coming to it. anyone have any ideas?
thanks,
jimmy
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2007 | 01:54 PM
  #2  
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Check for power at the Blue/red wire coming out of the headlight switch in the on position.

Is your headlight switch **** turned to maximum illumination ?
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2007 | 11:19 PM
  #3  
Broken40's Avatar
Broken40
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Emmett, ID
the headlight switch is probably goin out, what you are describing is a perfect symptoms of it going out.
 
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2007 | 12:18 AM
  #4  
73f350sc's Avatar
73f350sc
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 0
From: Murray
Try turning on the lights...and turning the headlight switch to the right...maybe they just got bumped to the "dim" setting on accident? You can adjust how bright or dim the gauges are by turning the headlight switch..so maybe give that a try...sometimes its the simplest answer to the most complicated problem.
-Chris
 
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2007 | 06:46 AM
  #5  
Forge's Avatar
Forge
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
I have the same problem. Except mine was caused by Aamco shorting out my entire electrical system. I checked te fuses, replaced the bulbs, checked the wires and the only two things I think it could be would be the factory resistor or the headlamp switch.
 
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2007 | 03:02 AM
  #6  
1978fordf250's Avatar
1978fordf250
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 0
well its not the dimmer switch i have it on bright side. i gues i can change the dimmer switch or even disconect it and clean the contact and try that out...
 
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2007 | 05:24 AM
  #7  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
The "dimmer switch" is on the floor, it activates the high beams. The switch that controls the dash lights is a part of the headlamp switch. When you turn the headlamp switch ****, that activates a rheostat inside the switch. Over time corrosion causes failure. The rheostat itself is of a plastic type material, and will age crack into pieces.


D3AZ-11654-A .. Headlight Switch 1978/79 only (Motorcraft SW-1226)
 

Last edited by NumberDummy; Aug 30, 2007 at 05:28 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2007 | 10:52 PM
  #8  
Broken40's Avatar
Broken40
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Emmett, ID
only about 20 bones at your local parts store.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 06:25 AM
  #9  
Forge's Avatar
Forge
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
I'd support Ford, they don't make many things for our trucks and not buying them will make sure a high quality product goes away.
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 01:30 PM
  #10  
1978fordf250's Avatar
1978fordf250
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 0
well guys i will install another headligth switch and see what happens.
thanks,
Jimmy
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2007 | 01:24 AM
  #11  
73f350sc's Avatar
73f350sc
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 0
From: Murray
Originally Posted by 1978fordf250
well its not the dimmer switch i have it on bright side. i gues i can change the dimmer switch or even disconect it and clean the contact and try that out...
The "dimmer" for the gauges is the **** for the headlights...you twist it while its pulled out... counter clockwise to dim the dash lights...clockwise to brighten them...it isnt a seperate switch they are one in the same. If you turn it all the way to the right the dome light will come on. And if that doesnt happen then Id bet it was the switch.
-Chris
 

Last edited by 73f350sc; Sep 1, 2007 at 01:26 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2007 | 03:29 PM
  #12  
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
You mean like was mentioned on Post #2 ?
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2007 | 11:17 PM
  #13  
73f350sc's Avatar
73f350sc
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 0
From: Murray
Yes...exactly like that....but from the "sound" (wording) of his post...he might not have known what you were talking about...I was simply trying to explain what you meant in more detail as you werent terribly specific.

For someone who may not be familliar with the function of that switch it can be a bit confusing trying to get to the point of how to adjust it.

Not only that but I was clarifying my earlier post that I had made as there had been a mixup as to which switch I was referencing. The OP had been talking about the switch for the brights in a previous post...not the headlight **** itself.
-Chris
 
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2007 | 04:15 PM
  #14  
jcduerr's Avatar
jcduerr
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
check your grounds. my dash lights went out and i replaced the ground wire to a more sturdy ground under the dash. the little nuts that hold the dash pad work great for grounds also
 
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2007 | 06:46 PM
  #15  
Broken40's Avatar
Broken40
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Emmett, ID
Exclamation As well as

Originally Posted by jcduerr
check your grounds. my dash lights went out and i replaced the ground wire to a more sturdy ground under the dash. the little nuts that hold the dash pad work great for grounds also
Just to add to that post....make sure to scrape the paint away to bare metal so it doesn't cause improper ground as well.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:55 AM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE