Cluster Lights

[tod-hog]

The lights on the cluster aren't working so today I finally got around to replacing the bulbs, the obvious culprit. I thought I'd go ahead and put a test light on them and low and behold I have no juice to the lamps. I have examined the wiring and it doesn't appear to have been tampered. I had another cluster handy and plugged it in an sure enough it's dead too!

Studying the schematic now but not sure what to make of it.
Any ideas?

[MadMaxetc]

Have you checked the Voltage regulator?

Little Square thing on the back.

Could be a bad ground too.

[tod-hog]

No, just getting to that. Something seems odd though. What are the odds of both voltage regulators on 2 separate cluster being bad?

[Thunderfoot]

Isn't there a 2amp fuse in the fuse block for this?

[tod-hog]

I replaced those first. I also had a dead light for the left turn signal. I replaced the square (capacitor? voltage regulator?) from a donor cluster and that solved that problem.

I have a Wiring Diagram Manual for the 67 and 68 published by Osborn but it leaves much to be desired. Like the name of that square device. The 67 and 68 clusters have subtle differences. As an example, the 67 doesn't have the flasher (?) device on the rear of the cluster.

I don't see what else to change. Think I'll head back to the fuse block.

Keep 'em coming.

[68F250]

The cluster only has two bulbs for illumination. Like Thunderfoot suggested, check the 2-amp fuse (short one in the middle) or else the dimmer on the headlight switch is broken. Try rotating the headlight switch back and forth a bunch of times to see if it comes back to life.

The big square block is the flasher, '68 and later used the more familiar round flasher.

The smaller rectangular block is the voltage regulator used for the gauges only.

[tod-hog]

The cab light was working when I began this morning and now it isn't. That may or may not be related. The fuses have been replaced so at this juncture I'm headed to check the light switch.

You certain that square is a VR? Maybe a flasher? I see a contraption on the 68 clusters might be a VR. Gonna look through the Fordification schematics too.

[kaptnkaos]

I'd go with 68F250 on the light switch.
The coil on the switch is notorious for burning out or corroding.
They can get a crusty coating on the on the contact as well.
You may be able to take some emery paper to the contact and coil and clean them up a bit.
The switches are less than $20

Good luck,
KaptnKAOS

[68F250]

This is the '67 flasher

[tod-hog]

I don't see one of those anywhere on my cluster.

[Thunderfoot]

Here is the link for the 67 one on Fordification http://www.fordification.com/images/sch ... lights.jpg Check out 19 and 19A (both sides of the fuse) with a test light or volt meter.
Looking at this, if you don't have power there it is a problem with the light switch / dimmer as it looks like the power comes from the switch, through the fuse, to the lights...

[tod-hog]

I just ordered a switch as I had come to the same conclusion. I hope to have it in soon. I'll keep you apprised.

Thanks Thunderfoot!

[tod-hog]

Replaced the headlight switch and that was the culprit. Sure is nice to have lamps in the cluster. Thanks for the help Thunderfoot, 68F250, kaptnkaos, and MadMaxetc.

[kaptnkaos]

Hey T-H

Glad you got yer light problem fixed...

KaptnKAOS