Gauge cluster lights far too dim.

[Barbecue]

Hey everyone,

I had my truck on the road after sun down for the first time and noticed that my gauge lights are way too dim, not nearly bright enough. I tried fiddling with the knob, but no dice. Any suggestions? It's an '86.

Thanks in advance!

BBQ

[gmachinz]

You need to take the cluster apart, clean the housing, spray a high gloss white plastic paint, then re-assemble with new bulbs-LED if funds allow, and it will be more bright than you can imagine! Here's some pics of one I have...

['68 Newtricks]

I've seen a lot of people spray the pod chrome

[gmachinz]

I've tried it both ways....a bright white reflects light better than a chrome paint so that makes the illumination better.

[LilD]

I'm glad this was brought up. My 82 has the same issue. I just assumed half the bulbs were burned out. Good tips guys

[andrewmp6]

Change out the lights for leds you'll be able to read the gauges at night with them.

[motornut]

white worked great for me too,a blast of paint,the prep took longer lol
I kept the stock white,added red LEDs

[Greenlee]

Here is mine with just LED's, no paint. It was dim before I swapped in the LED's. Honestly, I don't think the paint is necessary. If mine were any brighter it would be distracting.

[Dead Parrot]

Not sure how complete your 'fiddling with the knob' was but the gauge light brightness part of the headlight switch is basically a coil of wire over which a contact rotates. It is very common for that coil or contact to get dirty or fuzzy with oil, bugs, dust, and worse. This can prevent full brightness. Since pulling the headlight switch is much easier then pulling the gauge cluster, I would check the switch first. You should be able to jumper around the dimmer to give full voltage to the lights. Then you can decide if you need still more brightness.

Make sure all your bulbs are good. Some seem to have more effect on gauge brightness then others.

[Barbecue]

Wow, everyone, thank you so much for your help on this. I'm so very impressed by everyone's willingness to help on this site. Every time I post a question, people are so eager to offer their insights. Thank you!

These are some very good tips for the gauge lighting. Dead Parrot, my "fiddling with the knob" was very incomplete haha. I think this is a great starting point. I also do like the idea of switching to LEDs. Has anyone already been so generous as to post a guide on how to complete this modification somewhere?

Thanks,

BBQ

[Greenlee]

Originally Posted by Barbecue

Wow, everyone, thank you so much for your help on this. I'm so very impressed by everyone's willingness to help on this site. Every time I post a question, people are so eager to offer their insights. Thank you!

These are some very good tips for the gauge lighting. Dead Parrot, my "fiddling with the knob" was very incomplete haha. I think this is a great starting point. I also do like the idea of switching to LEDs. Has anyone already been so generous as to post a guide on how to complete this modification somewhere?

Thanks,

BBQ

The LED's are pretty easy. They make one that slides right in just like the stock bulbs. I bought mine at Autozone. The most difficult part of the job is getting the cluster out. You will probably find that several bulbs are burnt out. I know I did.

Also, a tip on removing the dimmer/headlight switch if you decide to go that route. There is a button on the side of it that releases the shaft/knob. I didn't know that and got really frustrated the first time I tried to take it off!

Yep, this is the best automotive forum I have ever been a part of!

[hplacecf]

great thread, and timely. I came here to post today to ask the same thing about by 77 !

question:

does one have to remove the cluster to change out the bulbs?
can the bulbs be changed with the cluster in place?

[motornut]

Originally Posted by hplacecf

great thread, and timely. I came here to post today to ask the same thing about by 77 !

question:

does one have to remove the cluster to change out the bulbs?
can the bulbs be changed with the cluster in place?

Yes you can,on your back legs up
Watch the paths can twist tho.
Some LEDs work only one way, some don't dim either .

[hplacecf]

Originally Posted by motornut

Yes you can,on your back legs up
Watch the paths can twist tho.
Some LEDs work only one way, some don't dim either .

not sure I understand.

how do you swap the bulbs without taking out the cluster?

[rich weyand]

On your back, legs up in the air. That is, you can reach most of them from behind the dash by reaching way up under. They feel like on of those control knobs you sometimes see, with a bar sticking up. You unscrew them 1/8 turn and the socket comes out. Here's a pic.

[gmachinz]

Why the heck go through all that when its literally 10 minutes at most to pull the cluster out...?

[xole]

As others have said white is better....think back to elementary school and white is white because it reflects all colors.

Don't waste your time with cheap ebay or amazon LED bulbs, spend the extra money on name brand ones. You will find the cheap ones are really limited where the contacts are and do not make good contact. The cheap ones also are polarity specific so you can put them in backwards.

I really liked these but they are pricey. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AIJY2ZM/ref=oh...

[motornut]

what you will see looking up a 78 or 88 dash.
best way to describe getting this view?....if sitting your a 9,your gona turn into a 6 lol

[motornut]

and if the bulb or clip dosn't get in right....
it can damage the paths around the hole.
the paths can loosen and lift,I used crazy glue to repair it.
You can also check it over,and clean up the contacts if the plug is dirty.

[hplacecf]

Originally Posted by motornut

what you will see looking up a 78 or 88 dash.
best way to describe getting this view?....if sitting your a 9,your gona turn into a 6 lol

Thanks! I tried it and found that I am not Gumby...

Originally Posted by motornut

and if the bulb or clip dosn't get in right....
it can damage the paths around the hole.
the paths can loosen and lift,I used crazy glue to repair it.
You can also check it over,and clean up the contacts if the plug is dirty.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by motornut

Yes you can,on your back legs up
Watch the paths can twist tho.
Some LEDs work only one way, some don't dim either .

Thanks!

Originally Posted by rich weyand

On your back, legs up in the air. That is, you can reach most of them from behind the dash by reaching way up under. They feel like on of those control knobs you sometimes see, with a bar sticking up. You unscrew them 1/8 turn and the socket comes out. Here's a pic.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by gmachinz

Why the heck go through all that when its literally 10 minutes at most to pull the cluster out...?

because I did not know it only takes 10 minutes, and I had a 'situation' with an aftermarket stereo someone put it (see post below).

[andrewmp6]

Its easier just to take the cluster out its a lot of screws but can be done.

[hplacecf]

dark out now.

took some pics.

pics do not do it total justice, but the gauges are easily read now (and the idiot lights are blinding - in a good way).

[ron350]

Do they make LED’s that will dim like the stock #168 hot wire bulbs?

[Sodak]

do you have that number or a link to those led's.. i'd like to upgrade as well.