Need help to trouble shoot dash light on a 1970 GTX
#2292111
04/22/17 02:48 PM
04/22/17 02:48 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 265 Philadelphia, PA
GTXKARL
OP
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 265
Philadelphia, PA
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I need simple ways to trouble shoot the dash lights on my GTX. How difficult is it to remove the dimmer switch for the dash lights? ALso, The dome light does work on the interior when I turn the dimmer switch.
Last edited by helpgtxkarl; 04/22/17 03:28 PM.
“Working on cars teaches you patience... and every curse word imaginable.”
1970 Plymouth GTX -- A true gentleman's coupe, but a serious muscle machine.
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Re: Need help to trouble shoot dash lines on a 1970 GTX
[Re: TJP]
#2292231
04/22/17 05:51 PM
04/22/17 05:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 265 Philadelphia, PA
GTXKARL
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Philadelphia, PA
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Is there any chance you can give me step by step instructions? And do I have to take the switch out? How hard is it to take the switch out? Thanks.
“Working on cars teaches you patience... and every curse word imaginable.”
1970 Plymouth GTX -- A true gentleman's coupe, but a serious muscle machine.
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Re: Need help to trouble shoot dash lines on a 1970 GTX
[Re: GTXKARL]
#2293102
04/24/17 08:51 AM
04/24/17 08:51 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,938 Spokane Valley, WA
Big Bad Bee
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Spokane Valley, WA
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The dimmer switch will have two screws on the back. One on one of the upper corners and one on the opposite lower corner. The switch is fastened to the plastic dash panel that surrounds it. You can get to it with a stubby Phillips head screw driver, but if you have air-conditioning you have to remove the duct first. Even then it's going to be a bit of a pinch And easier to reach with the drivers seat out of the car, but it just depends on how flexible you are. Once you get it outthe dash there should be enough wire attached for you to pull it down below the dash and work on it.
If the switch is bad, which a lot of them do, I recommend Jim at J.S. Restorations. He's a member here and he does fantastic work.
I’m listening.
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Re: Need help to trouble shoot dash lines on a 1970 GTX
[Re: GTXKARL]
#2293206
04/24/17 01:37 PM
04/24/17 01:37 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 957 Chicago
PurpleBeeper
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super stock
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Posts: 957
Chicago
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I personally think you'd have to pull the dash to get the dimmer switch out....it's freaking tight up in there. You might be able to get the plug off the back of the dimmer switch, check a wiring diagram & jump the wires to bypass the rheostat (dimmer) like TJP suggested.
You might want to double check the 3 amp fuse too which is on the far right of your fuse block. That runs the dash lights.
70 Roadrunner convt. street car
440+6, NOS, 4-spd, SS springs
'96 Mustang GT convt. street car
'04 4.6 SOHC, NOS, auto, lowered
"Officer, that button is for short on-ramps"
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Re: Need help to trouble shoot dash lines on a 1970 GTX
[Re: Big Bad Bee]
#2293217
04/24/17 01:55 PM
04/24/17 01:55 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,323 St. Louis, Mo
318 Stroker
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If the switch is bad, which a lot of them do, I recommend Jim at J.S. Restorations. He's a member here and he does fantastic work. Another vote for Jim at J.S. He just did my E-body dimmer switch, and it works great. Two week turnaround for mine.
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Re: Need help to trouble shoot dash lines on a 1970 GTX
[Re: GTXKARL]
#2293488
04/24/17 10:19 PM
04/24/17 10:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,444 So Cal
Sinitro
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So Cal
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OK.... Here U go.. Pull the connector off the Dimmer Control, there are (3) female 0.25" tab terminals: 1. Make a short 4" jumper wire (18 guage) lead with (2) male 0.25" tab terminals 2. On the connector U just unplugged, insert the jumper lead to the center terminal (Tan wire) and upper terminal (Black wire). Note the Black wire comes off the Headlite switch with 12V+ and the Tan wire goes to the dash instrument lamps. What this does is to simply bypass the dimming rheostadt so now the lites get the full 12V+. 3. Next make another short 4" jumper(18 guage) wire with (1) female 0.25" tab terminals and (1) male 0.25" tab terminal, connect 1 male end to the open female terminal in the connector. And connect the other female end to the bottom terminal on the dimmer control, note that this is grounded when the rheostadt is fully rotated to turn ON/OFF the Dome lite. Now the dash lites get a full 12V and U haven't cut any wires so U can return everything back to OE specs if U ever get a new dimming control. I hope that helps. Just my $0.02...
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Re: Need help to trouble shoot dash lines on a 1970 GTX
[Re: Sinitro]
#2293837
04/25/17 01:49 PM
04/25/17 01:49 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 957 Chicago
PurpleBeeper
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 957
Chicago
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OK.... Here U go.. Pull the connector off the Dimmer Control, there are (3) female 0.25" tab terminals: 1. Make a short 4" jumper wire (18 guage) lead with (2) male 0.25" tab terminals 2. On the connector U just unplugged, insert the jumper lead to the center terminal (Tan wire) and upper terminal (Black wire). Note the Black wire comes off the Headlite switch with 12V+ and the Tan wire goes to the dash instrument lamps. What this does is to simply bypass the dimming rheostadt so now the lites get the full 12V+. 3. Next make another short 4" jumper(18 guage) wire with (1) female 0.25" tab terminals and (1) male 0.25" tab terminal, connect 1 male end to the open female terminal in the connector. And connect the other female end to the bottom terminal on the dimmer control, note that this is grounded when the rheostadt is fully rotated to turn ON/OFF the Dome lite. Now the dash lites get a full 12V and U haven't cut any wires so U can return everything back to OE specs if U ever get a new dimming control. I hope that helps. Just my $0.02... This sounds like great advise. I would double check to make sure the dash lights get 12V and not 5V, but otherwise Sinitro sounds dead on correct.
70 Roadrunner convt. street car
440+6, NOS, 4-spd, SS springs
'96 Mustang GT convt. street car
'04 4.6 SOHC, NOS, auto, lowered
"Officer, that button is for short on-ramps"
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