Gauge lighting issue.

[jdricha5]

All gauges work fine but the lights dont light up. The only lights that do work would be the red alt when I start the truck up and my right turn signal light. Think its the bulbs that have gone out? Its my grandfathers truck and he swears they worked last time he drove it which was probly around 4-5 years ago. Now I have inherited the truck and when I first started driving it the lights were all out for me so I have no idea on whats going on. I do know both turn signal lights worked for me. When I first started driving it.

Thanks
JD

[basketcase0302]

What year is it?

[jdricha5]

1971 ford f250 camper special 360 with 4 speed manual

[Thunderfoot]

Start by checking the fuse for the instrument lights, in the fuse box on the firewall behind the brake pedal. If it is good then using a test light check that you have power to the fuse, you will want to also be sure the instrument lights are turned on all the way at the light switch (this is done by turning the knob). If you have no power at the fuse then the problem is the light switch, the rheostat in it for the instrument lights has gone bad or gotten corroded. If just corroded rotating the knob back and forth will get them working again.
If you have power to the fuse, the fuse is good, then you will need to remove the instrument panel and check the connection on the bulbs and the bulbs themselves. The 70-72 instrument panels use a printed circuit board type connection and it is very common for the light connections to get a little corrosion and not make good contact with the bulbs.

Let us know what you find out.

[fordman]

i have also seen those connectors for the light socket get corroded on the circut board on the back of the cluster.

[jdricha5]

Well Its probly most likely I just have the switch turned all the way down. The truck is in almost perfect condition because it only has 65k original miles. I keep it up at my hunting camp in Mississippi so ill check it this weekend.