Intrumental panel lights frustration..wont light up

[69babyblue]

Can anyone help me?

Working on my 69 f-100 and i realized that the intrumental panel will not light up when lights are on. I have taken the panel out and I just don't understand this. I checked continuity between the two light that light up the panel. Put new bulbs in..now this is where I get confused..when checking the other lights that work (blinker, high beam) I noticed that the lights do not work until the socket has contact with the metal box...ok, that makes since to me with a slight bit of electrical background...This should mean this completes the circuit...but what threw me completely off: I had a light socket out for the blinker and I checked to see if there was continuity between the socket and the metal box when they were not touching, and there was...HUH???? and that light works? but only when it has contact to the intrumental metal box? WOW! Blows my mind!! any buddy out there who can follow this and help me figure out how to get the damn panel to light up? She is almost ready to hit the road and I would like to be able to see the panel at night...the heat can be hard around here at night and she boogies with a 360! just trying to keep it in between the lines, if you know what I mean! might look suspicious with me checking my speed with a flashlight!

thx!

[fireguywtc]

Take the headlight switch out and check it over. When I first got my 67, the spring used for dimming the dash light was broke. I bought a new headlight switch and was good to go.

[TexasTruck72]

I had a similar problem as yours, turned out my light switch reostat asn't getting good contact at all. This is in the light switch housing, a circular spring that dims or brightens your dash lights as its turned. Mine wasn't making good contact, so I flexed the tension spring that applies pressure to the reostat spring so contact would be made. This was very TRICKY and HARD to do without losing small springs, parts, etc. Unless you have the patience and know-how, I suggest spending $20 on a new light switch assembly. Good luck.

[fordman]

headlight switch dimmer switch and or the fuse. make sure there is power to the socket first then check the stuff i listed.

[69babyblue]

Thx guys!...didn't even think about it being from that source! Ill check that out!