dashboard lighting

[68bumps]

On my 68 f100, the dashlights don't turn on at all. At first I just thought that it was missing the bulbs, but when i replaced my speedometer i noticed that there were light bulbs and i tested both of them, they both work. I'm figuring it's just a problem with the wiring because the headlight switch works perfectly normal, but, only being 14, I figured it would be best to check on here.

[71PA_Highboy]

The headlight switch has a potentometer on the front of it... ceramic piece with coils of wire embedded in it, and a slider that contacts it.

Make sure those are good, and test the output to the Blue wire with red stripe (instrument lighting).

Did you turn the knob to make sure that they are as bright as they can be?

Also, there is a fuse to check... 4A IIRC.


Good luck!

[1970 Hi-Boy]

Replacing your speedometer raised a flag to me, was the whole thing replaced along with the printed board on the back? These are not interchangeable from year to year, and your wiring harness wont match up. If so you can put just the speedometer head into your old gauge cluster. Just thought I'd check. I learned the hard way.

[TNIceWolf]

Replacing your speedometer raised a flag to me, was the whole thing replaced along with the printed board on the back? These are not interchangeable from year to year, and your wiring harness wont match up. If so you can put just the speedometer head into your old gauge cluster. Just thought I'd check. I learned the hard way.

That wouldnt be a problem on a 68 I would think. As far as I know all 67-69 used a instrument cluster that was all wired in. No printed circuit involved until 1970 if memory serves.

[1970 Hi-Boy]

Replacing your speedometer raised a flag to me, was the whole thing replaced along with the printed board on the back? These are not interchangeable from year to year, and your wiring harness wont match up. If so you can put just the speedometer head into your old gauge cluster. Just thought I'd check. I learned the hard way.

That wouldnt be a problem on a 68 I would think. As far as I know all 67-69 used a instrument cluster that was all wired in. No printed circuit involved until 1970 if memory serves.

You are correct sir, sorry I blew up! It's the 70 vs the 71-72 that doesn't work, my bad.

[mybros71]

Doesn't the cluster fuse also cover the tail light circuit?

[SmoothJ69]

The headlight switch has a potentometer on the front of it... ceramic piece with coils of wire embedded in it, and a slider that contacts it.

Make sure those are good, and test the output to the Blue wire with red stripe (instrument lighting).

Did you turn the knob to make sure that they are as bright as they can be?

Also, there is a fuse to check... 4A IIRC.


Good luck!

I replaced my headlight switch just recently to fix this very problem, dash lights not working. The spring on the old one was corroded and broken.

[mybros71]

There you go.