68 Charger Instrument Lamps

I'm having problems with the instrument lamps. None will light up, all other light systems work.The fuse panel slot for the instrument lamps,is dead on both sides of the fuse. Gear shift indicator light on console doesn't light up either. Any ideas will be appreicated. Thanks Joe

Possibly the little wheel on the left side of dash is down. The wheel will turn the dome light on/off and dim the instrument panel lights.

sounds good, do you think it will make the circuit at the fuse panel dead?

Not sure on that Joe...

I was tracking down the same issue on my 68 and found the wheel to be too far down.

Wont make the fuse dead on both side.Power comes to the fuse then thru it to the dimmer for dash lights.They will never work till you get power to the fuse.Thats why they put a fuse there to blow if the circuit shorts.You can replce the whole dash and switch and they still wont work.Try making a jumper to the fuse and then see if they light.That and get a test light to make sure the dimmer has power after you jumper the fuse.Rocky

The slot for the fuse for instrument lamps says it takes a 3 amp fuse. Someone told me that was was too low for instrument lamps. It should be at least a 7.5 or greater. But the slot is clearly marked 3 amp fuse for instrument lamps.

Correct me if I'm wrong. The dimmer switch plug gets its power from the headlight switch when its switched to park or on position. Then if I place a vom to back of dimmer switch plug while head lamps are on, I should have current going to that respective plug. If no current there, I have trouble further up the line.

Also, you won't get any power to the inst fuse when headlight switch is turned off.

I HAVE LIGHTS!!!!!!!!!! I did a vom test from headlight switch to panel dimmer switch plug. When the headlight switch was turned to park, I had current going to the bk/dgrn wire plug, but not the tan wire plug. I then ran a jumper wire from the bk/dgrn wire plug to the tan wire. I turned on the headlamp switch and OH WHAT A GOOD FEELING, IT WORKED!!! I guess the dimmer switch is bad. It only took me a week to find this out, but I need to be thankful the wiring in my Charger isn't all butchered up or a fire hazard. Thanks to all your replys. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

Now have fun trying to find a dimmer at a reasonable price.The rotary switches are expensive.Rocky