dash light question

by mikei1253 Mon Sep 23, 2013 10:52 am

when i turn on my headlights my gauge lights dont come on non of them. it used to be intermittent when it would do this but now its constant. any suggestions on where to start or is there a common issue with these cars maybe? just tryin to get a good idea where to start out before i start ripping into it

by thatfnthing Mon Sep 23, 2013 10:55 am

Three most common issues:

1. blown fuse
2. bad headlight switch (dimmer circuit)
3. melted the printed circuit behind the cluster that powers the lights

by mikei1253 Mon Sep 23, 2013 11:09 am

really dont like the 3rd one so lets hope for #2 lol

by JB2wheeler Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:00 pm

I know this is a stupid answer, but try turning the headlights knob counter clockwise and then all the way clockwise. I have seen some older cars work this way. JB

by pila Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:03 pm

The headlight switch has a rheostat built into it, that is rotated by the light switch knob. It's highly likely that the rheostat is failing...IE the windings on it are falling apart. Changing the headlight switch would likely solve the problem......OR.....the connector on the center instrument cluster that feeds the printed circuit for lights & gauges etc, needs to be cleaned up.

That's what my experience has been anyway... Very Happy

by driveit Mon Sep 23, 2013 3:53 pm

Same situation. No dash lights at all. I think something in the switch is bad on mine. I had some burned out bulbs and replaced a few, but none seem to work.

I think maybe the turn signal ones work, not sure.

by thatfnthing Mon Sep 23, 2013 4:10 pm

Bad switch is common considering the age of our cars and the fact that all the headlight juice runs directly through the switch instead of a relay. Easy to replace, so no real reason not to after 40 years.

by Bruisr Mon Sep 23, 2013 10:52 pm

X2 on the headlight switch. I'll bet money on it!

by WyldeBill66 Mon Sep 23, 2013 11:27 pm

The headlight switch was the culprit on mine when it was doing that. They are cheap and easy to change too.

by dynchel Tue Sep 24, 2013 7:15 am

Twice in my life I've had that problem on older cars. Both times the switch fixed it. Try turning the knob slowly and seeing if the lights come on (or at least flicker) if they do replace the switch.

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