dash instrument lights dont work

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Jun 24, 2010 | 10:14 AM

john-rambo

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dash instrument lights dont work

hey guys

i just got myself an 82 f100 (aus)
its a great car, but the dash instrument lights dont come on with the headlights.
i'm hoping this is just a fuse problem, but none seem to be busted.
could someone please post a fuse diagram so that i can make sure everything is where it should be.

cheers!

Jun 24, 2010 | 10:26 AM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

If the fuse for the instrument lights is good, turn the headlights on and check for voltage on both sides of the fuse. Turn the headlight switch back and forth and keep checking it. If you get no voltage, and your running lights are working, then you have a problem with the headlight switch.

Jun 24, 2010 | 10:46 AM

john-rambo

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thanks for the rapid reply!
it looks like my headlight switch is the problem.
is there anything i can do to fix it? or should i be looking for a replacement?

Jun 24, 2010 | 10:52 AM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

Usually it's the dimmer control on front of the switch that goes bad. If you do not need the dimmer function, you could jump the brown wire(running lights wire) over to the blue/red wire(feed to the instrument light fuse wire). Inside the switch they tap into the brown wire and run it over to the front of the switch to the rheostat, and then out on the blue/red to the instrument fuse. Then from the fuse to the lights themselves.

Jun 24, 2010 | 10:53 AM

Rogue_Wulff

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From: Lost

Replacement is usually the best option. The switch has a variable resistor in it for the dashlight dimmer, and the wound wire gets wore out pretty easily.