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02-23-2018, 05:22 PM | #1 |
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Dim instrument lights
!986 K20: My instrument lights are really dim. New battery,alternator and cables and yes I do know how to rotate the reostat on the light switch, Could my reostat be bad??
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02-23-2018, 06:08 PM | #2 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
Mine were dim so I replaced them all with LED and now they are bright. Maybe it's just the bulbs?
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1979 Chevrolet Bonanza/305/4L60/Edelbrock Performer/Holley 600 Classic |
02-23-2018, 10:43 PM | #3 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
Mine have always been dim, i also replaced with led and they are very bright now, but with led mine wont dim with the dimmer
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02-24-2018, 02:21 AM | #4 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
I think I read somewhere that if you leave 1 or 2 of the standard bulbs in the dash, and do the rest LED that you can still dim.
As far as mine, my eyes are getting older, so I don't even want to use the dim feature!
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1979 Chevrolet Bonanza/305/4L60/Edelbrock Performer/Holley 600 Classic |
02-24-2018, 04:33 AM | #5 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
Ok thanks i will give that a try
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02-24-2018, 09:41 AM | #6 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
empty the white gauge cluster holder . clean it real good . chrome spray paint it . also do the back side for the cover that goes on top of this as it reflects back in .
and 194 bulb = 2 candle power and 168 bulb = 3 candle power so swap them all for 168 . . . unless you are doing the led swap . but mine i did years ago i am happy with chrome paint trick and all 168 bulbs.
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02-25-2018, 04:14 PM | #7 | |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
Quote:
Thanks for your suggestion. |
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02-25-2018, 07:07 PM | #8 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
if you have not played with chrome spray paint go real light on the coats . it runs easy .
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77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great. |
02-24-2018, 09:48 AM | #9 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
Same here, I put LEDs in mine. Much brighter now. I know all cars have the dimming feature, but I wondering how many people actually use it. I know I don't. I'm with RedBed.
This isn't the best pic I have, illustrating the led lights. But just having the key on, you can see the choke light, how much crisper it looks. Also the A/C controls, it's lit up a lot better than before. And this is in a very lit garage. But while you have the cluster out, it would be a good time to freshen it up. Polish or get a new lens, that makes a big difference too.
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02-25-2018, 10:44 PM | #10 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
I never dim my truck they are fine all the way up. My new Lincoln will blind you turned up.
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02-26-2018, 08:57 PM | #11 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
I cleaned the housing, painted it gloss white, and installed canbus LED194 bulbs so the dimmer still works. In my 87 Silverado I added whiteface overlaysbut left my 89 K5 Blazer stock black guages. Super bright, even more so with the white face overlays. Got the canbus led 194 bulbs on ebay 10 for for $6 about 5 years ago, i think they might be a little more now.
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02-27-2018, 01:35 PM | #12 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
Mine are pretty dim as well. I'm getting ready to put LEDs in mine. Already have the bulbs just waiting for the opportunity to install them.
I was just wondering though, what should I use to clean the bulb contacts on the board. I want to make sure they are all clean and make the best connection.
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1978 GMC K25 1984 Chevy Scottsdale K10 built 350 4"lift - SOLD |
02-27-2018, 01:48 PM | #13 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
I used a little contact cleaner and a q-tip + a bit of bulb grease on each. And they are still a pain. Occasionally have to wiggle them to get them to work.
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1979 Chevrolet Bonanza/305/4L60/Edelbrock Performer/Holley 600 Classic |
02-27-2018, 02:57 PM | #14 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
Ok thanks. I have both of those. Now just have to find the time to do it. I've never had the cluster out and apart. Not really looking forward to it haha. But it seems pretty straight forward.
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1978 GMC K25 1984 Chevy Scottsdale K10 built 350 4"lift - SOLD |
02-28-2018, 08:08 AM | #15 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
Just replaced mine with LED's from O'Reilly's and no they won't dim, have to say it looks 100 time better, also Desert_Eagle02 I found that it was easier to remove cluster if the dash was loose or removed, my dash is brand new from direct dashes, I went ahead and removed it, it only takes a couple seconds after removing screws , reason why I say this, is that if you have an older dash and your trying to mess with the dash right above the cluster, it could crack when trying to get that little extra wiggle room, that and its easier to get to the metal screws that hold the dash cluster in, also anyone who plans on doing this, if you have the time its better to order them off the internet from amazon or superbrightleds.com ..I just happen to be at the auto parts when I saw the ones i bought, not thinking about doing a price check, but later found them to be at least 1/4 of the price on line,
Last edited by Dayton601; 02-28-2018 at 08:20 AM. |
02-28-2018, 12:29 PM | #16 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
Thanks Dayton601. My dash is also new. But I'll probably remove it anyway if it makes it easier. I'm going to try and be very careful with the cluster. I don't want to break the 40 year old plastic. Also I got my LEDs from Amazon. Pretty sure it was $10 for a box of 10.
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1978 GMC K25 1984 Chevy Scottsdale K10 built 350 4"lift - SOLD |
02-28-2018, 02:52 PM | #17 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
When you are removing the wiring harness from your cluster, do it with some care. It connects to a bunch of copper "fingers" from the circuit sheet that fold down into the "socket". They can get pretty mangled if you don't pull the connector nice and gentle.
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02-28-2018, 03:12 PM | #18 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
Grab a sliver conductor pen just in case you damage part of the printed circuit around the bulb sockets. Cheap insurance.
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02-28-2018, 08:03 PM | #19 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
...or you could hardwire your dash
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03-04-2018, 08:53 PM | #20 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
Maybe a stupid question but how do you replace the bulbs behind the heater controls and the windshield wiper switch? Just curious before I start tearing into it, don't want to mess anything up.
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1978 GMC K25 1984 Chevy Scottsdale K10 built 350 4"lift - SOLD |
03-05-2018, 02:00 AM | #21 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
remove the metal screws holding the pieces in, it gives you enough wiggle room to reach in and turn the lamp holder and then you can switch them out,
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03-05-2018, 03:37 PM | #22 |
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Re: Dim instrument lights
Thank you. Got them switched out.
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1978 GMC K25 1984 Chevy Scottsdale K10 built 350 4"lift - SOLD |
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