instrument cluster back lights problem

[bsalem77]

ok, i have a 1972 f250........when i got it im almost positive that " at night" my backlights worked when iturned them on... however... now days... not such the case... they dont work at all

my high beams work,..... my turn signals work (on the instrument cluster)... but the background lights dont work.....so i cant see the gauges at night... very dangerous!!!!!!!

http://www.fordification.com/forum/post ... e=post&f=8#
can someone please help me here...im about to be traveling and ill deffinately need these lights

thnks so much


benny s.

[kaptnkaos]

Hey bsalem77

It is most likely the reostat on the light switch... it a spring like thing on the switch that when turned creates more or less resistance to brighten or dim the lights on the instrument panel.
I had the same thing happen on my '68 CS

KaptnKA S

[bsalem77]

so then what do i do.....i was readin through other forums of the same sort....a guy didnt have his ground wire behing the instrument cluster grounded well enough... i dont think that my isue though...


whats the deal with the reostat

[fordman]

the rheostat is for dimming of the dash lights. when turned to the full position the rheostat will activate the dome light. if the rheostat is bad niether will or should work. a few different thing to think about. the 72 uses a circut board cluster to light up the lights behind the dash and to control the guages. if part of that circut board is bad it coudl make those lights not work. the fuse shoul dbe checked also.
so basically check the fuses to the lights. check to see if the dome light comes on or not. check to see if the heater swithc or cigar ligther lights work at all. when yo ufind what does and doesnt work you can narrow down your problem.

[bsalem77]

everything works that you mentioned but the gauges backlight
???????

[fordman]

is power gettign to them? if not you have to find out why the power isnt getting to them. if you have power ast the fuse and then from the headlight switch then check the plug that goes into the instrument cluster. if it has power up to that plug then the fault could be in either the circut board or the bulbs arent making contact properly.

[4th effie n counting]

Have you fixed your problem? If not have you tried new bulbs? I would check fuse first then socket as fordman said, then I suppose try checking all wires to panel.
I have to tap on my light switch to get mine lit, and if i hit a big bump in road have to do it again, in my case im sure its the switch. incidentally if i just rotate knob I get nothing, have to tap on it.