E-body instrument lights - Revisited
#1487426
08/20/13 03:40 PM
08/20/13 03:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,727
Moved to N.E. Tennessee
GomangoCuda
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,727
Moved to N.E. Tennessee
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All of them have stopped working including aftermarket guage lights that were also on the same circuit. Is this likely the switch and were can I get one?
Last edited by GomangoCuda; 08/30/13 09:41 PM.
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.
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Re: E-body instrument lights
[Re: Sinitro]
#1487428
08/20/13 11:53 PM
08/20/13 11:53 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,196
Harrisburg, Pa.
screamindriver
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,196
Harrisburg, Pa.
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Quote:
Check the fuse...
Just my $0.02... 
It's the one marked "instruments" hope that makes it an easy fix..If it's not the fuse then you're going in deeper...
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Re: E-body instrument lights
[Re: ahy]
#1487432
08/21/13 11:11 AM
08/21/13 11:11 AM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,732
Florida
BDW
master
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master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,732
Florida
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Quote:
The OE headlight switch has a rheostat to control brightness. If the windings get dirty or fail, all lights are out or the fuse blows. One fix is to solder in a jumper to bypass the rheostat. Lights will always be full bright but they will work.
This is what I did and it works great. Never had a need to dim them.
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Re: E-body instrument lights
[Re: ahy]
#1487433
08/21/13 12:25 PM
08/21/13 12:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,445
So Cal
Sinitro
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,445
So Cal
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Quote:
The OE headlight switch has a rheostat to control brightness. If the windings get dirty or fail, all lights are out or the fuse blows. One fix is to solder in a jumper to bypass the rheostat. Lights will always be full bright but they will work.
No need to solder..
Make a short jumper wire with (2) 0.25" tab connectors insert into the 3 prong connector originally on the dimmer switch. Next run a short wire back to the switch for the dome lite ground. All plug-in, no cutting or soldering..
Just my $0.02...
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Re: E-body instrument lights
[Re: GomangoCuda]
#1487435
09/01/13 03:19 PM
09/01/13 03:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,009
Richmond Twp. Mi.
Mr340
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,009
Richmond Twp. Mi.
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Quote:
Quote:
No need to solder..
Make a short jumper wire with (2) 0.25" tab connectors insert into the 3 prong connector originally on the dimmer switch. Next run a short wire back to the switch for the dome lite ground. All plug-in, no cutting or soldering..
OK, which 2 get jumped to each other and which one goes back to the switch? one has 2 yellow wires, center has tan wire, last is black and black with a stripe.
I'd rather have no lights than sparks and smoke. 
Fuse is good.
35 years ago I could almost do this in my sleep. Now I get a sore neck from trying to see under the dash with bifocals and the wiring diagram is giving me a headache. 
Yellow is the ground, goes back to the switch. Tan is the power coming in, that gets jumped to the blk/blk with yellow tracer.
Just did mine , wow what a diff, din't think my switch was that bad just used to cut out once in a while.
Gary.
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Re: E-body instrument lights
[Re: burdar]
#1487436
09/01/13 04:04 PM
09/01/13 04:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 403
Pittsburgh, PA
Slotts
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 403
Pittsburgh, PA
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Quote:
Have your dash switch restored. Contact JS Restorations.
Thank you, Darren. 
Yes, the 2947713 dash dimmer switch is my most requested switch needing restored on an E body.
Jim
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Re: E-body instrument lights
[Re: 500Stroker]
#1487440
09/04/13 06:04 AM
09/04/13 06:04 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,009
Richmond Twp. Mi.
Mr340
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,009
Richmond Twp. Mi.
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Quote:
Bypassing the dimmer switch is the way to go.
The only issue with the bypass is you lose the ability to turn on the dome lite, if that matters to you.  it doesn't to me 
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Re: E-body instrument lights
[Re: BDW]
#1487442
09/04/13 09:40 PM
09/04/13 09:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,009
Richmond Twp. Mi.
Mr340
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,009
Richmond Twp. Mi.
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Quote:
If you solder a jumper across the terminals (bypassing the variable resistor) the dome light still works.
Mine does 
Good Point
I used the No Soldering method, (plug in jumper wires).
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