Re: Instrument Panel Lights - SOLVED

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Posted by T.L. on December 28, 1998 at 23:12:55:

In Reply to: Re: Instrument Panel Lights - SOLVED posted by Pegasus on December 28, 1998 at 17:50:46:

A pencil eraser also works well for cleaning the contacts (be gentle). BTW---after 26 years, my Maverick's interior still does not leak...

: Hi All, just noticing the notes about the panel lights and as I've just had my '76 Mav dash apart for painting, I chose this point to fix the dash lights.

: First, over time, the copper contacts where the bulbs screw in tend to oxidize over time. Go to Radio Shack and buy a fiberglass-tipped contact cleaning "pen" and rub the contact points until they are shiny. Do the same to the bulb holders as well. Also, don't forget to clean the contact area where the wiring harness plugs into the instrument cluster. BE GENTLE, these contact as they age tend to lift from the plastic. If that happens a drop of super glue behind the contact will re-attach them. This alone fixes alot of problems.

: In my Mav the headlight switch worked but the dimmer portion did not. This turned out to be a broken dimmer resistance spring. I replaced the headlight switch ($12.95 at AutoZone) and it worked great. Remember that these cars sometimes leak and ANY moisture behind the dash can cause problems with your electrics corroding.

: In after all of this your dash lights are STILL not bright enough for your liking, go to the junkyard or auto supply store and buy some HALOGEN marker-lamp lights (the bulbs in the fender-mounted marker lights are the same as those in the dash panel). This will DEFINITELY shine a light on the instrument cluster. I've done mine like this and have to use the dimmer to turn them down to keep from blinding me at night! .

: Good luck with your project cars!

: Pegasus

: : I have 2 1970 mavs and both of them have very
: : dim instrument panel lights. I`ve checked the bulbs
: : they are ok. Can it be that the paint used on the
: : gauges has lost its magic. The turn signals lights
: : are behind green plastic and the warning lights
: : are behind red plastic they are just fine.
: : Any help ??????

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: A pencil eraser also works well for cleaning the contacts (be gentle). BTW---after 26 years, my Maverick's interior still does not leak... : : Hi All, just noticing the notes about the panel lights and as I've just had my '76 Mav dash apart for painting, I chose this point to fix the dash lights. : : First, over time, the copper contacts where the bulbs screw in tend to oxidize over time. Go to Radio Shack and buy a fiberglass-tipped contact cleaning "pen" and rub the contact points until they are shiny. Do the same to the bulb holders as well. Also, don't forget to clean the contact area where the wiring harness plugs into the instrument cluster. BE GENTLE, these contact as they age tend to lift from the plastic. If that happens a drop of super glue behind the contact will re-attach them. This alone fixes alot of problems. : : In my Mav the headlight switch worked but the dimmer portion did not. This turned out to be a broken dimmer resistance spring. I replaced the headlight switch ($12.95 at AutoZone) and it worked great. Remember that these cars sometimes leak and ANY moisture behind the dash can cause problems with your electrics corroding. : : In after all of this your dash lights are STILL not bright enough for your liking, go to the junkyard or auto supply store and buy some HALOGEN marker-lamp lights (the bulbs in the fender-mounted marker lights are the same as those in the dash panel). This will DEFINITELY shine a light on the instrument cluster. I've done mine like this and have to use the dimmer to turn them down to keep from blinding me at night! <grin>. : : Good luck with your project cars! : : Pegasus : : : I have 2 1970 mavs and both of them have very : : : dim instrument panel lights. I`ve checked the bulbs : : : they are ok. Can it be that the paint used on the : : : gauges has lost its magic. The turn signals lights : : : are behind green plastic and the warning lights : : : are behind red plastic they are just fine. : : : Any help ??????

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