Help with gauge cluster lights

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Truck82

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2024
Posts
96
Reaction score
187
Location
Alderton
First Name
Christopher
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
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

Full Access Member
Joined
May 9, 2021
Posts
663
Reaction score
1,041
Location
Montana
First Name
Bob
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V20
Engine Size
350
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

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2019
Posts
335
Reaction score
438
Location
Central OR
First Name
Dave
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
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

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2024
Posts
96
Reaction score
187
Location
Alderton
First Name
Christopher
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
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.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,204
Posts
951,603
Members
36,339
Latest member
stickshiftsteve
Top