Help with gauge cluster lights

Truck82 · Nov 26, 2024

Half of my lights behind the gauges on the dash don’t turn on. So I got some new bulbs, plugged ‘em in and… still nothing in the ones that didn’t work before.
I know absolutely nothing about electrical and need some help here. Are the sockets that the bulb plugs into replaceable?
Thanks all in advance!

mtbadbob · Nov 26, 2024

Most of the time the printed circuit board is wore a bit where the bulb sockets twist onto the gauge panel. Sometimes, if you have a burnt spot in the circuit board, it'll cut off power to the bulbs beyond it. I did have a weird, rare instance once where I kept replacing the bulbs that wouldn't light up, but it turned out to be that the last working bulb was the problem as it wouldn't pass the voltage to the bulb next in the circuit. Try replacing the last working one in that area.

Dmack · Nov 26, 2024

The twist-in bulb holders are replaceable. You can also take a pencil eraser and gently clean the area they contact the printed circuit. Also, if you are trying to replace them with led bulbs, be careful. They don't always work and don't mix well with standard bulbs.

Truck82 · Nov 26, 2024

Dmack said:
The twist-in bulb holders are replaceable. You can also take a pencil eraser and gently clean the area they contact the printed circuit. Also, if you are trying to replace them with led bulbs, be careful. They don't always work and don't mix well with standard bulbs.

Good to know as I am swapping over to LED. I didn’t know that the connection was where it touches the board. I have been trying to clean the inside of the bulb holder.

GTX63 · Nov 27, 2024

I have replaced many bulbs in old squarebodies. I also upgrade to LEDS for the difference in brightness. I have found through trial and error to replace the printed circuit panel and any sockets that even look remotely worn or corroded. It just isn't worth the hassle to keep popping the panel apart and risk losing screws, overtightening and cracking the bezel, etc. Besides the lighting, old circuit boards can affect gauge readings, signal lamps, etc. The printed circuits are about $70 online and well worth it.

Jgonick · Nov 27, 2024

Dmack said:
if you are trying to replace them with led bulbs, be careful

LEDs (light emitting diodes) Diodes only allow current to go one direction. Using them in dash lights generally isn't an issue. If they don't light up you have them in backwards. However - LEDs make it a pain trying to diagnose what is wrong (because you don't know if the bulb is in backwards or if it is something else- It just adds one more possible problem to the equation). I would suggest using regular bulbs until you figure out what is wrong.

Ron Sebastian · Nov 27, 2024

Thought I would chime in...you also lose the dimming with LED's unless they are the special LED's that allow dimming.

Truck82 · Nov 27, 2024

Jgonick said:
LEDs (light emitting diodes) Diodes only allow current to go one direction. Using them in dash lights generally isn't an issue. If they don't light up you have them in backwards. However - LEDs make it a pain trying to diagnose what is wrong (because you don't know if the bulb is in backwards or if it is something else- It just adds one more possible problem to the equation). I would suggest using regular bulbs until you figure out what is wrong.

I have been using regular bulbs for diagnostic. Still, sometimes a socket will work when I try it and then it will just go out. Very frustrating.

Truck82 · Nov 27, 2024

Ron Sebastian said:
Thought I would chime in...you also lose the dimming with LED's unless they are the special LED's that allow dimming.

Yup, I found that out real quick…

Ken B · Nov 27, 2024

I replaced most bulbs with LEDs. But not all it would been too bright

Jgonick · Nov 27, 2024

Truck82 said:
sometimes a socket will work when I try it and then it will just go out

Those bulbs can be finicky- the wire on the base of the bulb needs to be making good contact with the metal inside of the socket. sometimes you might have to adjust the wire or metal a little. Plus the socket needs to be making good contact with the printed circuit. -Sometimes it is just easier replacing the socket if they are old & worn out.

Here is a video showing a guy replacing his dash lights with LEDs. I've personally never had to wrap the bulb wire like he is doing - I just slide them in normally.

Youtube_LINK

Truck82 · Nov 27, 2024

Jgonick said:
Here is a video showing a guy replacing his dash lights with LEDs. I've personally never had to wrap the bulb wire like he is doing - I just slide them in normally.

Youtube_LINK

This video was very helpful. My bulbs were loose in the socket and this will help the keep a connection. I’ve decided to get a new circuit board and bulb sockets so hopefully that will help too.

JD Miller · Nov 27, 2024

Someone send me a full set of dash light LED bulbs , Please ... :birgits_tiredcoffee

Truck82 · Nov 27, 2024

JD Miller said:
Someone send me a full set of dash light LED bulbs , Please ...

Amazons got em for $11

Laqota · Nov 27, 2024

mtbadbob said:
Most of the time the printed circuit board is wore a bit where the bulb sockets twist onto the gauge panel. Sometimes, if you have a burnt spot in the circuit board, it'll cut off power to the bulbs beyond it. I did have a weird, rare instance once where I kept replacing the bulbs that wouldn't light up, but it turned out to be that the last working bulb was the problem as it wouldn't pass the voltage to the bulb next in the circuit. Try replacing the last working one in that area.

This. Those clusters were made cheap.

Help with gauge cluster lights

Truck82

Full Access Member

mtbadbob

Full Access Member

Dmack

Full Access Member

Truck82

Full Access Member

GTX63

Full Access Member

Jgonick

Full Access Member

Ron Sebastian

Full Access Member

Truck82

Full Access Member

Truck82

Full Access Member

Ken B

Full Access Member

Jgonick

Full Access Member

Truck82

Full Access Member

JD Miller

Full Access Member

Truck82

Full Access Member

Laqota

Junior Member

Similar threads

Latest posts

Forum statistics