Dashboard lights

PeteSC

Registered User
I can't see at night!

The light behind my instrument cluster doesnt work any more. I've changed the fuse many times, but this time its not the fuse. How hard is it to change the bulb? To I have to take the whole dashboard apart?

Thanks,

Pete
 
Last edited:
Hi, Pete.

Seems like I never buy a car anymore before I find the instrument cluster in my hand for some reason. It isn't very difficult if you have done it before of course. If your cluster lights are all not working, it might be your headlight switch. If you have just a few that don't light up, then you should probably pull the cluster and look at the 194 bulbs that illuminate the guages. Do none of them work or just a few?
 
If you need to completely pull the intrument cluster, then unhook the negative battery cable first. There is a live 12V on some of the traces and its very easy to ground them when moving the cluster around.
 
Thanks Guys,

Lance, none of the cluster lights are working right now. Should I try to change the headlight switch first?

Pete
 
Hi, Pete. I think you might try that if you have a spare laying around. There is a round coil inside, if I remember right, called a potentiometer and it can get hot or rusty and not pass current well or get hot enough to ruin the connection inside. If you do find that is the problem, may I suggest also that you put the fog lights on relays and possibly to the performance lighting kit that puts the headlights on relays as well. The SC lighting wiring just isn't designed well apparently and over the years you begin to have unacceptable problems all the way up to burned wiring. Something to think about. Here are 2 links for you to peruse.

http://www.35ththunderbirdregistry.org/Tips/HeadlightsFlicker.htm

and

http://www.35ththunderbirdregistry.org/Tips/RewireFogs.htm

I'd like to see a potential problem nipped in the bud. :)

Have a great week.
 
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