Dashboard instrument lights

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by Day, May 1, 2019.

  1. Day

    Day

    Hi.
    My dashboard instruments lights are now not working.
    Tried for 2hrs today to put them right but no luck. They're the original 3 little bulbs which fit into holes and earth to the instrument cluster.
    Got them in ...wiggled them many times...no luck.
    Any ideas??
     
  2. I’m assuming this is more complicated than twisting the headlight switch... fuse perhaps?
     
  3. I’m assuming you’re grovelling underneath. Can you get your instrument panel off? Much easier to understand then. Mine only takes a couple of minutes, including the steering wheel, and you have a comfy chair to sit in whilst you fix things.
     
    Day likes this.
  4. As above, please confirm you twisted the headlight switch, don't be shy, I have fallen for this multiple times.
     
  5. Day

    Day

    Tried both those.
     
  6. Day

    Day

    I have bu
    T I'm going to twist it some more to be sure.
     
  7. OK, well the switch could be buggered, the wipers on the turny bits do wear out, a gentle push in may reveal a dicky switch. Next check is the fuse, then check for a bad grounds
     
    Day likes this.
  8. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    If you manage to short out one of the little bulbs you can burn out the resistance wire in the headlight switch if it was set not quite at maximum..

    More likely things need cleaning up with a bit of fine emery paper. Its fiddly and frustrating.
     
    Day likes this.
  9. Day

    Day

    Had another go today.
    Took off steering wheel and cluster pulled forward so no grovelling underneath.. see much better but still no joy.
    The bulbs look fine they are touching the cluster Base for their ground. Fuses ok.
    Twisted the light switch this way and that....nothing.
    Any other ideas??
    Tomorrow I'll try cleaning all connections with emery paper.
     
  10. Possibly the dimmer has burnt out in the switch. Try connecting up to a different terminal on the switch say the one that feeds the side lights.
     
    Day and snotty like this.
  11. ^this. Take off the grey/red(?) cable that powers the instrument lights, and dab it on 12V somewhere.
     
    Day likes this.
  12. Day

    Day

    Tha
    Thanks.
    I will try that tomorrow. ..
    Wouldn't have known or thought to do that.
     
  13. One step at a time ;). As above, possible that the track on the dimmer rheostat has burnt out.
     
  14. I've never had mine on anything other than max anyway.
     
  15. Day

    Day

    It is a 'new' switch I put in last year...though it's from jk so.....?
     
  16. If they're using Brazilian ones, should be ok.
     

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