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Technique to change an A-body high beam bulb? #2088868
06/09/16 04:50 AM
06/09/16 04:50 AM
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AtomicDog Offline OP
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I'm doing some work on a 1973 Duster and noticed that the high beam indicator light does not come on when the high beams are turned on via the floor switch. I suspect the bulb is burned out in the dash. Unfortunately, I have somewhat larger hands and can't easily get to the bulb with my hand to twist it out of the cluster to change it. Does anyone have a technique they can share to get to this bulb to change it?

Re: Technique to change an A-body high beam bulb? [Re: AtomicDog] #2088885
06/09/16 08:58 AM
06/09/16 08:58 AM
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69L78Nova Offline
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Just drop the column and roll the cluster out. You can have it in your hands in about 15 minutes. Check all of your other bulbs while its out


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Re: Technique to change an A-body high beam bulb? [Re: AtomicDog] #2088892
06/09/16 09:35 AM
06/09/16 09:35 AM
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up yours
Supercuda Offline
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May as well buy some new bulb sockets too, because they tend to break when the get old.


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Re: Technique to change an A-body high beam bulb? [Re: Supercuda] #2089040
06/09/16 01:19 PM
06/09/16 01:19 PM
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RapidRobert Offline
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drape a rag across the top of the column to protect the paint from the dash. pull a batt cable off of its post before starting. You might jump fire to the wire to confirm it is the bulb/socket before you go to the trouble but yes (highly) likely it is the bulb


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Re: Technique to change an A-body high beam bulb? [Re: AtomicDog] #2089121
06/09/16 03:23 PM
06/09/16 03:23 PM
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May as well just replace all the bulbs in the cluster rather than keep doing this as they burn out.

Bulb socket part number STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS S503A rockauto has them, Dorman also makes them in their Help! line but I don;t know that number.

Last edited by Supercuda; 06/09/16 03:28 PM.

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Don't be the exception.
Re: Technique to change an A-body high beam bulb? [Re: AtomicDog] #2089418
06/10/16 12:04 AM
06/10/16 12:04 AM
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AtomicDog Offline OP
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Thanks for the ideas folks. Just noticed that while I had my hand behind the dash to change a couple of the bulbs, I just noticed that the fuel gauge and temp gauge both stopped registering while the car is running. Any idea what I hit back there to cause this condition?

Re: Technique to change an A-body high beam bulb? [Re: AtomicDog] #2089422
06/10/16 12:12 AM
06/10/16 12:12 AM
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the IVR, instrument voltage regulator.

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=44056&cc=1088603&jsn=417

Or the round connector isn't seated.


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They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: Technique to change an A-body high beam bulb? [Re: AtomicDog] #2089423
06/10/16 12:13 AM
06/10/16 12:13 AM
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Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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You have to be very careful back there as there is a connector that plugs into several pins that can shear off easily. Look at the picture of the IP on the top right. You can see where the light bulbs twist in also. I always recommend disconnecting the plug before lowering the steering column and twisting the IP down so you can be very careful about hitting the pins on the dash. twocents

dart ip.jpg
Last edited by Rhinodart; 06/10/16 12:14 AM.

The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.

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Re: Technique to change an A-body high beam bulb? [Re: Rhinodart] #2089435
06/10/16 12:24 AM
06/10/16 12:24 AM
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AtomicDog Offline OP
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Thanks for that photo. I did have to lower the steering column on the car, as I recently changed the steering gearbox. I'll check those spots.

Re: Technique to change an A-body high beam bulb? [Re: AtomicDog] #2089526
06/10/16 09:48 AM
06/10/16 09:48 AM
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Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart Offline
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The picture I posted was for a 67-70 IP, here is one for a 72-76 standard IP. The pin arrangement was changed to a round style but can still be damaged if not careful. wave

72 dart ip.JPG
Last edited by Rhinodart; 06/10/16 09:48 AM.

The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.

JB Rhinehart, Realist

A-Body's RULE!
Re: Technique to change an A-body high beam bulb? [Re: Rhinodart] #2089643
06/10/16 02:24 PM
06/10/16 02:24 PM
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Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
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What Rhino said, if the round pin connector has to come off, gently pry it up & off of the pins EVENLY on both sides, you do not want to break a pin


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